Before we get into details about the new G11-codenamed BMW 7-Series, allow us to make a correction noting that, as some of you rightfully pointed out, the prototype model we scooped last November and mistakenly believed to be the 5-Series replacement, was indeed the new 7-Series with the regular wheelbase. The Touring model, however, was the 5-Series.
What can we say; without a tape measure, it’s not always easy these days to separate same body-style offerings from German luxury brands and being on a trailer doesn’t help either…
With that out of the way, let’s see what BMW’s new breed of luxury is bringing on to the table. From these photos, the new 7-Series appears to continue the much welcome downward trend in bulkiness that began with the current F01.
The G11 will not only be slimmer to the eye, but to the scales as well, since it will be the first regular BMW after the i3 hatchback and i8 hybrid sports coupe to adopt the use of carbon fiber along with aluminum and steel in its construction, dramatically cutting down in weight over the current version.
Combine that with a new suit of technologies and revised powertrains, and the 7-Series will offer significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures.
Besides the usual array of turbocharged straight-six, V8 and V12 engines, we hear that BMW may follow Mercedes’ and Audi’s lead offering a force-fed 4-cylinder unit at the bottom of the range – possibly a hybrid powertrain. BMW officials are also warming up to an M7, which if realized, will be the first in the model’s four-decade long history.
The new G11 7-Series should break cover at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in Germany.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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