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Spied: BMW M7

05/28/2009, 12:25 PM

By Drew Johnson

Mercedes-Benz has been offering AMG performance versions of its flagship S-Class sedan for years with no real response from cross-country rival BMW. However, BMW will reportedly strike back with an M version of its latest 7-Series sedan.

Earlier today our spies spotted this prototype of what is to become the M7, equipped with a typical M-style front bumper with huge air-intake underneath the lamp units. The rear skirt appears to be modified, too, but more interesting is the fact that the new M7 will receive a front hood made of aluminum to improve handling and weight-balance.

Under that alloy hood we expect to see the either the X6 M’s bi-turbo V8 or the 5.0L V10 from the M5 and M6. Whichever motor it ends up with should be good for 550-600hp. That would in fact be an enormous plus in power over the current 407-hp 750i, but also over the Alpina B7 (507 hp) and even the most powerful Porsche Panamera delivering 500 hp.

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05/28, 12:30 PM

posted by:

TornadoGTI

Its about time…

05/28, 12:34 PM

posted by:

JakeK66

I thought BMW made a point in saying they wouldn’t expand the M line to the 7-Series because it’s large size wouldn’t merit the M designation, I guess the ole mighty dollar, or Euro, won out.

05/28, 12:35 PM

posted by:

wrathofkwon

This is good news, indeed, but why must car websites/mags post photos of a car which is clearly not the one being mentioned? The car is an ordinary 750i with no additional M bodywork or wheels. Any BMW-phile knows this. LAME.

05/28, 12:37 PM

posted by:

dorikin_86

JakeK66 – They also said the M badge wouldn’t be on a SUV or SAV or whatever they call it….

05/28, 12:49 PM

posted by:

A4

M is getting watered down, im sure itll be a great car but it certainly isnt worthy. They will need something to fill the gap left by the lack of V12, unless they bring that back too. They should just promote the Alpina B7 line and leave it at that.

05/28, 12:50 PM

posted by:

CADDY-V

I have seen a BMW B7 before.They are very nice.

05/28, 12:52 PM

posted by:

A4

I saw one just last week it was incredible looking, maybe it could use a small bump in power to compete with the 65 AMG’s but it is more than enough car and it was nipped and tucked in all the right spots, and the multispoke rims are close to perfection, and certainly arent a design BMW would consider.

05/28, 12:58 PM

posted by:

JakeK66

Yeah, I saw one last week of the previous gen 7-Series and it was one of the most amazing cars I ever laid eyes on, gorgeous color combination/body kit/ and those wheels like A4 said, possible perfection.

05/28, 1:09 PM

posted by:

S2L2SC

The next step will be the announcement of the ///M-Xtreme line, which will be a step up from the regular ///M series cars

05/28, 1:10 PM

posted by:

bigp

about time cause the s65 has been kicking ass

05/28, 1:17 PM

posted by:

Lawnchair88

Odd that they would use an aluminum hood instead of carbon fiber. Although no one should hold their breath for weight reduction to be a major part of this cars performance. I wonder what cars they’re benchmarking for performance goals…

05/28, 1:17 PM

posted by:

tyler_is_aero_tt

I saw one next to me on the street and it was gorgeous!

05/28, 1:18 PM

posted by:

Borat

Perhaps I am aging, but I still think that the most beautiful 7 was 96-00 vintage, the one starring in the original Transporter.

05/28, 1:52 PM

posted by:

CADDY-V

Borat:
That was the first 7 I ever liked.

05/28, 1:55 PM

posted by:

Borat

Caddy, if you like Catherina Zeta Jones you have a good taste, regardless what others tell you :)

05/28, 2:18 PM

posted by:

TornadoGTI

@ wratchofkwon – The photos are representative of a 750i because this is a test mule. Aesthetics aside, the drivetrain I am sure is what the M7 is going to be or some possible drivetrain whether it is the engine from the X6M or the M5/M6. They don’t want to show the world the full car before it is ready but they still need to test it. “Any CAR-phile knows this…Lame are you.”

@ Lwanchair88 – Carbon Fiber is VERY expensive to create/repair/replace and doesn’t offer a ton of weight savings over aluminum. This is still a 7-series and would look silly with carbon fiber all over the place. The M3 can pull it off with its roof but this is different.
I would imagine the performance for this is going to benchmarked to the S63 (not likely S65). That would be number 1. I’m sure the upcomming S8 would be number 2, and don’t count out the Panamera Turbo, Continental GT Flying Spur, or Quattroporte GTS. Those are the HIGHEST performace FLAGSHIP sedans from BMW’s current competitors.

Needless to say with up to 600hp, this car will not disappoint.

05/28, 2:34 PM

posted by:

CADDY-V

Borat:
Is there a straight guy in the world that doesn’t like her?

05/28, 3:01 PM

posted by:

moe_dais@hotmail.com

All cars are starting to look the same. The rear of this car looks just like the Infiniti M35/M45!!

Not very impressed.

05/28, 3:24 PM

posted by:

The Tuga

this just beats the point of the M division

it’s stupid, it’s just not logical.

lets see, if you want a luxury beamer… you just buy the regular one.
if you want a exclusive car…you go buy something else
if you want a sports car, then yes..you buy the M beamer

i say get some bucket seats in there, rip off all the upholstery, fit it with a roll cage, spend some money on a suspension that can take you cruisin trough the baja, and make some kind of huge fast funny to drive stunt car thingy.
cuz if not, it´s just something to cruise in the highway making use of your automatic fart extractor and foot-massaging brake pedal because you’re too poor to buy a rolls or bentley and too dumb to drive a ferrari.

the M badge just doesn´t inspire caracter on that car

05/28, 4:15 PM

posted by:

TornadoGTI

@ The Tuga – WHAT?
Rolls and Bentleys are cars for people who want others to know that they have money. The 7-series has always been a modest alternative to those cars. They are not nicer just because they have “nicer” badges. I think an M7 will be VERY competitive with a Flying Spur. And since when do “smart” people spend $200k on any car. Ferrari’s are for people who want others to know they have money as well. You could just as well buy a GTR or ZR1 and not draw the attention of the Ferrari.

How is this not logical. It is a segment of the market that MB has been cleaning up on. People can’t get enough of the AMG badged large sedans. There is something crazy, to me, about a car that can go to 60 in under 5 seconds, weigh over 4000 lbs, and still carry my grand parents, very comfortably, to church on Sunday. This car, much like the S8 and S63, is great for certain people. And fortunately, the people who can afford a $100k + sedan, can also afford a sports car. They don’t need the best of both worlds in one car. They just want an exclusive alternative to the all too common 7-series. Part of exclusivity is also power. The M Division at BMW gets that. The don’t make sports cars, they make exclusive performance models.

05/28, 6:29 PM

posted by:

leftwingagenda

oh god i’m scared of the price tag on that thing…it’s gonna be huuuge…

05/28, 7:35 PM

posted by:

DrFill

I’d pay extra for 7-series that doesn’t look like a load
When is that coming?
DrFill

05/28, 7:42 PM

posted by:

shane train

The Ultimate Respect- Demanding Machine.

05/28, 8:43 PM

posted by:

Rafa LL

If the X6 M can do, this is gonna well do.

05/28, 8:46 PM

posted by:

idrinorbarsaku

this doesnt look like an M7 to me. It looks like a v12 variant

05/28, 8:53 PM

posted by:

Kaizen

Lexus designers should be flattered by that rear. They did what Bangle should have done and what BMW now has corrected the 7 series to.

05/29, 1:30 AM

posted by:

maxcar

high-performance fat sedans are such oxymorons. lets make an oversized 4-door, 5-seater, and then try to make it go fast. WTF

05/29, 2:40 AM

posted by:

AutoCritical

I know it’s not a sports car, not is it aspiring to be one, but it seems like some of the design elements in other BMW series make this 7 Series seem very tame, and a bit dull… Not sure about that boxy rear…. will have to see it in real life first I guess!

05/29, 7:29 PM

posted by:

A4

I just looked and Alpina already has a B7 available for this platform 7-Series…
http://www.alpina-automobiles.com/en/models-alpina/b7-biturbo.html

05/30, 1:43 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

Not really sure the 7 needs this treatment

06/02, 6:18 AM

posted by:

mortenmol

Sorry guys, but there are other markets than the US.
In Germany this will sell quite well, I’m sure the BMW 7series drivers are sick of the 63/65AMG drivers on the delimited German Autobahn. The look on their faces in their 760Li when you overtake them in your ML63 at 250 km+, is hillarious.

 
 
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