Usually, we’re able to identify the prototypes photographed by our spies with relative ease. But we’ve been sitting on these photos for a while and no source has come up with a solid answer. All we can say for sure is the vehicle is a ‘mule’ with the front end of a new car grafted onto an ‘09 7-Series. If BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer hadn’t already announced the CS Gran Turismo was cancelled, we’d probably think this was that car. But a revival sounds unlikely — so what is it?
Well, there’s the distinct possibility this really is a CS mule. If so, there are two further possibilities. The first is that this is an “old” test car that was simply never spotted before, and just happens to be in use still. There’s also the chance BMW has reversed its decision to scrap the CS, but that is even more unlikely considering the company’s slumping sales and changing direction.
The appearance of this mule is also suspect. It clearly features the front of a new model grafted onto a new 7-Series. The CS was going to be built on a version of the 7er chassis, so that much makes sense. But the styling of the front end only has a passing resemblance to that of the CS Concept. There are so many basic differences between the show car and this mule that we believe it probably isn’t a CS.
So what else could this be? It’s certainly not the 2010 5-Series, which is well beyond the mule stage, and bears little resemblance to this car. One possibility is this could be the front of a next-generation 2011 6-Series grafted onto the 7-Series body. The next 6 is expected to be larger than the current model, so it’s conceivable it could ride on a 7-Series platform. But at this point it’s simply conjecture.
At this point we just don’t know enough to say anything definitive, so Bimmer fans will have to sit tight and speculate.
12/17, 3:55 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Is it a bird?
Is it a plane?
No it’s… a mule.
12/17, 4:36 AM
posted by:
smanker
are you kidding?
this will be the new BMW 5-Series… in Germany the AutoBild also knows it…
There’s no point for me to consider it could be any other model. Why do you really think of CS or 6-series???
12/17, 4:55 AM
posted by:
damsf
This is the new Fisker, must be, check the shape of the grille
12/17, 6:00 AM
posted by:
bimmer_mann_18
I agree with damsf. It has that Aston Martin front look.
12/17, 7:07 AM
posted by:
scratchy
bmw 5
12/17, 9:02 AM
posted by:
feariam
Must be the new BMW 7 Series P… for Platypus Edition.
12/17, 9:06 AM
posted by:
audifan
why a 6-serries mule, performamce figures would be all messed up with that body, new cs, thats a bit out of the blue, surely its just the new 5-serries with a completley new front, cant be that hard to figure out that a new car has a new front can it? i mean the whole car is different, look at it!
12/17, 9:11 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
Smallish size, regular roofline. That’s nothing exotic, its something in the 3/5 series lineup. I’m guessing E90 replacement…the timing is right too.
12/17, 9:14 AM
posted by:
howsmydriving
M-series Izetta?
12/17, 10:10 AM
posted by:
damsf
Are you guys blind, the whole car is without any question of doubt, a completely bog-standard of the line ‘09 7-series, apart from the front end ahead of the leading edge of the bonnet. This has nothing to do with 3’s or 5’s, it’s a 7-series, nothing else. Fisker’s just putting a new pair of headlights and grille on, just like he did on the 6-series to turn it into the Latigo CS and on a Merc SL to turn it into a tramonto.
12/17, 1:28 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Any bets that BMW will find a way to make a SUV out of it?
12/17, 2:50 PM
posted by:
cereal
I was thinking it was the next 5…
But if LLN says so, it must be true.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it were the early stages of ANOTHER crossover.
-eat your cereal
12/17, 3:10 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
I hope the production version of whatever this is doesn’t have that rear that sticks out like a tail.
12/17, 9:25 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
I refuse to eat my cereal. I like chicken.
12/17, 11:43 PM
posted by:
maxcar
i like chicken and cereal, but not together.
12/18, 3:24 AM
posted by:
Dindel
I agree with damsf, but throw in a new suggestion: component testing for the small Rolls-Royce.