• News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
  • News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
Sign up Now (For Free)

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest automotive news in your inbox!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
News
Read Now
  • All News
  • Automakers
  • Automobiles
  • Auto Shows
  • Business
  • EVs & Environment
  • Guides
  • Lawsuits/Legal
  • Regulatory
  • Ride-Sharing
  • Safety & Recalls
  • Technology
Recent
  • Mazda Turbocharges its Carbon Roster
  • Ford Recalls 125K Vehicles Due to Fire-Causing Engine Failures
  • Honda “At the Crossroads” as it Races to Catch Up with EV Leaders
  • Cyclists, You’re Less Likely to Get Hit by a Subaru
  • Chevrolet Celebrates Camaro with Collector’s Edition
  • Volvo Rides EVs to Big Uptick in May Global Sales
  • Materials Needed for EVs is a Growing Headache
  • GM Investing Over $1 Billion in Two Plants to Roll Out New Heavy-Duty Pickups
  • Week Ahead: New Cars, New EVs and New Tech
  • All-Electric Buzz Debut Conjures Up Tales of VW’s Past
Editor’s Choice
    Reviews
    Read Now
    • All Reviews
      • Feeder
    • Classic Cars
    • Concept Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Crossovers/CUVs
    • Diesel
    • Hot hatches
    • Hybrids
    • Luxury Vehicles
    • Minivans
    • Muscle Cars
    • Pickups
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Super Cars
    • SUVs
    Recent Reviews
    • A Week With: 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 SE
    • A Week With: 2023 Kia Niro SX Touring
    • A Week With: 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema Q4
    • A Week With: 2023 Lexus NX 350h Luxury
    • A Week With: 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line
    • First Drive: 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
    • A Week With: 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium RWD
    • A Week With: 2023 Electrified GV70 AWD Prestige
    • A Week With: 2023 BMW XM
    • A Week With: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4Matic
    Editor’s Choice
      Guides
      Car Warranty
      • Endurance Warranty Reviews
      • BMW Extended Warranty
      • Extended Warranty For Cars Over 100k Miles
      • Extended Car Warranty Cost
      • Subaru Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Reviews
      • CarShield Cost
      • Aftermarket Car Warranty
      • CARCHEX Warranty Reviews
      • Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
      • Used Car Warranty Companies
      • Best Car Warranty
      • Is CarShield A Scam?
      • Mercedes Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Plans
      Insurance
      • How To Identify A Car Insurance Company
      • Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • How Far Back Does A Car Insurance Company Look
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance For Used Cars
      • State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance From Progressive
      • Dollar A Day Insurance
      • Auto Insurance For SSI Recipients
      • Car Insurance Rates After A Suspended License
      • Auto Insurance For Salvage Vehicles
      • Average Cost of Dodge Ram 1500 Car Insurance
      • Car Insurance Florida
      • Full Coverage Auto Insurance
      • GrubHub Insurance
      • Amazon Delivery Auto Insurance
      Shipping
      • Car Shipping Companies
      • uShip Reviews
      • Auto Shipping From California To Hawaii
      • Montway Auto Transport Reviews
      • Cheap Car Shipping
      • Easy Auto Ship Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Miami
      • Auto Shipping To Alaska
      • Car Shipping Cost
      • Auto Shipping Hawaii
      • Auto Shipping Puerto Rico
      • Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Atlanta
      • Auto Shipping Boston
      • Auto Shipping. Chicago
      About
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Affiliate Disclosure
      • Sitemap
      TheDetroitBureau.com

      More than just “another” place to find news, reviews, spy shots, commentary, features, and guides about the auto industry. TheDetroitBureau doesn’t stop with the press releases or confuse a few lines of opinion with insightful, in-depth reporting.

      Contact Us

      Like what you see? Have some ideas for making The Detroit Bureau.com even better? Let us know, we’d love to hear your voice.

        Media
        Listen Now
        • Headlight News: All Episodes
        More from TheDetroitBureau
        • Guides
        • Latest News
        • Auto Reviews
        • Podcasts
        Headlight News

        TheDetroitBureau.com’s Headlight News offers a look at the past week’s top automotive news stories, as well as what’s coming up in the week ahead. Check out the week’s top story and our latest review…along with a dive into the past with this week in automotive history.

        home > news > Automobiles > New BMW 7-Series Spotted Before Autumn Unveiling

        New BMW 7-Series Spotted Before Autumn Unveiling

        New sedan to feature remote-park, gesture control, and make extensive use of carbon fiber.

        Paul A. Eisenstein
        Paul A. Eisenstein , Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
        May 11, 2015
        A leaked image of the 2017 BMW 7-Series.

        Remember the BMW 7-Series? It seems like a lot of premium luxury products have slipped into the shadows since the launch of the latest-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class two years ago. And that’s something the Bavarian maker is determined to fix with the upcoming launch of an all-new 2016 BMW 7-Series later this year.

        BMW is planning to give journalists a first look at the new model, codenamed G11, in August, the public having to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show a month later. But It’s offering a teaser silhouette ahead of those previews – and the website BimmerToday has captured a side image offering even more detail.

        Insider News!

        What’s in store for potential buyers? Among other things, expect significant improvements in handling and performance, sources suggest, while the new model will drop nearly 300 pounds, offer improved fuel economy and, quite likely, a new hypermiling plug-in hybrid. Expect also to see some significant new digital technologies, from a new gesture-controlled version of the familiar BMW iDrive to a remote-control parking system.

        (Read our review of the best BMW Extended Warranty options)

        The images here reveal that BMW isn’t straying all that far from the styling of the current 7-Series, though it does adopt a slightly more fastback shape. That was likely dictated by the wind tunnel, BMW – like most manufacturers today – heavily focused on reducing fuel-robbing drag. As part of the process, look for such additions as air breathers that reduce turbulence in the wheel wells.

        Other visual details include modified rocker panels and new chrome trim.

        An official BMW rendering of the 2017 7-Series’ silhouette. The sedan will debut in August.

        Weight is equally influential on both performance and fuel economy, and BMW reports the 2017 7-Series will lose above 290 pounds compared to the outgoing model without sacrificing roominess. Significantly, it will be the first mainstream model in the BMW line-up to make extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics.

        (Automakers put their cars on a diet. Click Here for the story.)

        Ultra-light, super-strong CFRPs are seen by many industry experts as the way of the future. The material is already in use on the new BMW i3 and i8 plug-based models and the maker is building the world’s largest carbon fiber plant in Washington State, a move that will both increase availability and drive down cost. But this isn’t the same aero grade material most folks have become familiar with. It’s lower cost but loses that distinctive weave pattern in the process.

        In terms of powertrains, the new 7-Series will adopt a mix of 6-, 8- and 12-cylinder offerings. The sixes are the latest-generation and deliver eight-cylinder power while lowering fuel consumption – especially when paired with an updated, 8-speed Steptronic transmission. Among the packages, the 3.0-liter straight-six that first will be used in the 2016 BMW 340i.

        (BMW updates its iconic 3-Series for 2016. Click Here to check it out.)

        At some point in the lifecycle of the big new sedan, meanwhile, expect to see BMW add a new plug-in hybrid. Like rival Mercedes-Benz, which will add 11 PHEVs to its line-up by 2017, BMW is betting big on the technology to help it meet tough new emissions and mileage standards. It will become even more critical in China where cities like Beijing and Shanghai now limit monthly new car registrations to deal with smog and traffic while lifting limits on qualifying battery vehicles.

        Technology is the name of the game in the premium luxury segment, as Mercedes proved with the latest S-Class. Expect to see the 2017 BMW 7-Series respond to most of its rival’s features and then add plenty more.

        Significantly, the new 7 is expected to be the first BMW model to offer a touchscreen version of the familiar iDrive – and it reportedly will also be able to read a driver’s gestures, as well.

        BMW also is expected to put into production a new remote-parking system that would allow you to get out of the car, press a button and have the vehicle go find an appropriate spot – something that could tick off valets around the world.

        Look for new mechatronic technologies that blend mechanical and digital features, including a new two-axle, self-leveling air suspension.

        (Chevrolet offers a sneak peek at all-new 2016 Camaro. Click Here to check it out.)

         

        How to Care for Your Car

        Cheap Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice

        Best Extended Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice
        Recently Published
        2024 Mazda Carbon Turbo CX-5 model REL

        Mazda Turbocharges its Carbon Roster

        Yesterday
        2022 Ford Maverick Lariat

        Ford Recalls 125K Vehicles Due to Fire-Causing Engine Failures

        Yesterday
        Honda Prologue - teaser

        Honda “At the Crossroads” as it Races to Catch Up with EV Leaders

        Yesterday

        One response to “New BMW 7-Series Spotted Before Autumn Unveiling”

        1. Jorge says:
          May 12, 2015 at 9:38 am

          Wait until the car drives away to some unknown parking spot and is then stolen by hackers who can take control of the vehicle. Oops that will be embarrassing.

          Reply

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        Share this article:
        © The Detroit Bureau 2023
        • Guides
        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms of Use
        • Affiliate Disclosure
        • Contact Us
        • Sitemap
        Follow Us: