Redesigned 7 series! Looks SO much better... (No 56k)

epj3

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#1
Its not great but it's 100% better than what it was. The rear of the car looks acceptable now, IMO.

THE 2006 BMW 7 SERIES
01/27/2005

The most successful BMW 7 Series in history is now better than ever.

Driving dynamics and sporting performance are substantially enhanced.
Luxury and presence are further refined.

- All-new V8 engine
- Improved performance
- Refinement of the outstanding chassis and suspension
- Refinement in design
- New equipment and features

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - January 27, 2005... The most successful 7 Series in the history of BMW will set a new standard in the luxury performance class once again as it enters the 2006 model year. A significant improvement in performance along with enhancements to the chassis and suspension reaffirm the BMW 7 Series as the driver's car in the segment. Refinement in design, in turn, expresses the car's enhanced driving dynamics and sportiness at very first glance while retaining the unmistakable presence that gives the BMW 7 Series its elegant and charismatic character.

BMW 750i and 750Li: Powered by an all-new VALVETRONIC V8.

The 2006 750i and 750Li will feature a new 4.8 liter VALVETRONIC V8 engine capable of 360 horsepower (SAE net) and 360 lb-ft of torque. The new models are even more responsive than their predecessors, with a 0-60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds.

BMW 760i and 760Li: Twelve-cylinder engine with a unique combination of direct fuel injection and VALVETRONIC.

Launched in 2003, the BMW 760i/Li V12 remains unchanged, with engine output of 438 horsepower (SAE net) and maximum torque of 444 lb-ft. With its combination of four-valve technology, VALVETRONIC, double-VANOS and direct fuel injection, the BMW 760i/Li remains unique in the marketplace. VALVETRONIC ensures the engine?s very high level of fuel economy under partial load. Direct fuel injection, in turn, serves to increase both torque and output.

New engines reflect BMW's ongoing commitment to the ultimate driving experience: More power, greater efficiency, lower emissions.

Together with its ongoing model initiative, BMW's recent engine initiative ensures that BMW will continue to deliver the ultimate driving machine.

Recent examples of this commitment include the new 3.0-liter inline-six with its composite magnesium/aluminum crankcase, and, of course, the 5.0-liter V10 high-speed power unit in the BMW M5.

In the development of new engines, BMW's engineers carefully consider all parameters and components for their potential, at the same time questioning virtually all conventional principles. The result is innovative materials, new machining processes and optimized procedures in production.

The BMW customer, in turn, receives far more powerful, lighter and cleaner engines that offer a significantly higher standard of fuel economy.

Efficient Dynamics: Overcoming conventional conflicts of interest.

Increasing engine output and torque while reducing fuel consumption, enhancing agility and nimble performance, and intensifying the experience of driving dynamics enjoyed by the customer: This is what BMW refers to as "Efficient Dynamics", the guiding principle underlying all of BMW's development and innovation. This applies equally to engine construction as it does to chassis development.

In a nutshell, Efficient Dynamics means consistently solving and eliminating conflicts of interest. In conventional terms, more power also means more fuel, more comfort means more weight, which again means more fuel, and so on. Particularly in the case of large luxury-performance sedans like the BMW 7 Series, solving such conflicts of interest is an especially great and demanding challenge.

BMW is able to escape this continuous loop through the use of intelligent materials and systems - for example, aluminum helps give the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series its light-footed, nimble behavior.

Chassis and suspension have been refined to improve both handling response and ride comfort.

The BMW 7 Series features an aluminum suspension which offers outstanding steering precision, exceptional agility and well-balanced driving characteristics. As a result, the chassis and suspension of the 7 Series combine superior agility and sporting performance on the one hand, with superior comfort on the other. In other words, it offers the best of both worlds.

The chassis and suspension of the 2006 BMW 7 Series has been updated and enhanced. The rear track is wider by 14 millimeters or 0.55 inches. Combined with enhanced suspension kinematics and BMW's revolutionary Active Roll Stabilization, the 7 Series will continue to offer an unparalleled driving experience. For those seeking an even sharper edge, the Sport Package will again be offered with its unique suspension calibrations.

As a result, BMW offers the widest choice of suspension control systems in the luxury sedan segment, naturally also including enhanced brakes reflecting the higher level of power and performance.

Refinement in design: Even more sporting and dynamic,but with unmistakable presence and elegance.

The enhanced performance and dynamic qualities of the BMW 7 Series ensured by the new engines are appropriately reflected by suitable refinements in design. Apart from the new, striking powerdome in the hood, the kidney grille, headlights and front air dam have all been discreetly revised. The rear, in turn, is characterized by surfaces and body panels with even clearer contours, a new chrome trim strip, modified tail lights and the redesigned rear air dam. At the side, the more pronounced light contour in the sills emphasizes the enhanced sportiness and dynamic character of the BMW 7 Series.

In all, BMW's luxury performance sedan preserves its powerful presence and clearly stands out on the road through its charismatic, elegant and truly unique appearance.

Inside the car, the unique feeling of luxury and peaceful tranquility has been further refined by the choice of materials and colors, with the control elements following the main lines of the instrument panel. So again, the interior of the 7 Series is now even more luxurious and sophisticated than before.

The iDrive control concept: Refined in its details, even more user-friendly.

BMW's iDrive control concept, the ergonomically sensible combination of single-button control and display monitor introduced in 2001 and much copied since then, has now been further refined.

Optimized menu guidance in the Control Display, the upgraded presentation of menus, and direct access to the various entertainment functions - for example, one can now directly select audio source and radio frequency band ? are essential elements of the updated iDrive system in the BMW 7 Series.

New features for extra safety, comfort, and individual style.

As of spring 2005, the BMW 7 Series is available with an even higher standard of series equipment and individual options for customizing the car:

- All BMW 7 Series now feature BMW's two-stage Adaptive Brakelights: Whenever the driver applies the brakes harder than usual, motorists following behind are warned by the larger brake light area.
- The optional CD changer is now MP3 CD-capable.
- The standard BMW Assist telematics service now includes Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.
- Last but not least, the updated BMW 7 Series offers the customer a choice of four new paint colors, four new upholstery colors, as well as new 18-inch wheels on the 750i and 750Li.

The most successful BMW 7 Series ever.

Accounting for almost 160,000 units delivered to customers worldwide, the fourth-generation 7 Series is the most successful prestige luxury performance sedan in BMW's history. Since its introduction to the world in 2001, the current 7 Series has already outsold the former model by almost 8 per cent. And with customer deliveries of 57,899 units worldwide in its most successful year so far, 2003, the current BMW 7 Series outperformed its predecessor in that model's best year (1997) by almost 14 per cent.

In Germany, the BMW 7 Series became the sales leader in the luxury sedan market in 2004. Sales have shown impressive growth in Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Oceania and Africa where, compared with the former model, sales of the current 7 Series have more than doubled after 38 months in the market. Sales volumes in those regions are catching up with the markets where, by tradition, the BMW 7 Series has always had a strong position - in particular, Europe and North America.

In the United States, the success of the current 7 Series is unparalleled. In its first three years, it outsold its predecessor's three best years by a significant seven percent.

Accounting for more than 50 per cent of total sales, the BMW 745i/Li with its large V8 power unit has been the best-selling model worldwide. The long-wheelbase version, in turn, accounts for more than half of all BMW 7 Series sold.

The BMW 7 Series combines two cars in one: On one hand, it is a genuine BMW offering those typical BMW virtues such as driving pleasure, agility and nimble handling for the customer who enjoys driving. On the other hand, it is a highly prestigious luxury sedan offering generous space and comfort for the driver and passengers.

More than any other car on the market, the BMW 7 Series offers that Sheer Driving Pleasure so typical of BMW not only in the classic sense, but also in the extended sense of being driven. It is indeed this perfect combination of two worlds that the BMW customer opting for this luxury performance sedan appreciates so much, making this model the most successful 7 Series ever.

The J.D. Power & Associates 2004 APEAL Study (Most Appealing Premium Luxury Car) and the Strategic Vision Total Delight Index (Best Luxury Car, two years in a row) affirm that 7 Series owners love their cars. The 2006 BMW 7 Series will give them more to love.

New V8 engines combined with numerous other enhancements will ensure that success of the BMW 7 Series will continue with the 2006 model.

The most important facts and figures - an overview:

750i/Li replacing 745i/Li:

* V8 engine with VALVETRONIC, Double-VANOS, and steplessly-variable intake system.
* Engine thoroughly updated and enhanced.
* Displacement: 4,799 cc (745i/Li was 4,398, + 9 per cent).
* Power: 360 hp at 6,300 rpm (was 325 at 6,100, + 11 per cent).
* Torque: 360 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm (was 330 at 3,600, + 9 per cent).
* 0?60 mph in 5.8 seconds (was 5.9)
* Fuel economy, EPA est. MPG, city/highway: No data.

760i/Li:
* V12 engine with VALVETRONIC, Double-VANOS, and direct fuel injection.
* Unchanged from 2005 model.
* Displacement: 5,972 cc.
* Power: 438 hp at 6,000 rpm.
* Torque: 444 lb-ft at 3,950 rpm.
* 0?60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
* Fuel economy, EPA est. MPG, city/highway: 15/23

Chassis and suspension:
* Revised and updated.
* Three suspension variants available straight from the factory:
o Standard suspension with Active Roll Stabilization
o Adaptive Ride Package (standard on 760i/Li; optional on 750i/Li)
o Sports suspension (included in optional Sport Package on 750i/Li)
* Rear track 0.55´´ wider.

Safety:
* Two-stage Adaptive Brakelights are standard.

Design:
* Elegant exterior with unique, unmistakable presence.
* Even greater emphasis of the car's sporting performance and dynamic qualities: Powerdome on the engine compartment lid, revised kidney grille, headlights and front air dam.
* More pronounced contours at the rear with new chrome trim, new tail lights and new rear air dam.
* New light contour on the side-sills.
* Even more sophisticated and painted surfaces inside the car.
* Control elements with similar functions combined in groups for optimum clarity and distinction.

Control, communication, entertainment:
* Detailed optimization of iDrive for even greater user friendliness.
* CD changer with MP3 CD-capability.
* Bluetooth hands-free phone capability.

** Please note, U.S. spec photography will be available shortly. The attached photos are European models. **













 
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#3
The "face" looks happier. Probably has to do with the lower grille being turned up at the corners rather than being turned down. And speaking of which...what is that camera lens looking thing right under the front plate in the grille? Did I miss it in the descriptions?
 
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epj3

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#5
DrivingTopless said:
The "face" looks happier. Probably has to do with the lower grille being turned up at the corners rather than being turned down. And speaking of which...what is that camera lense looking thing right under the front plate in the grille? Did I miss it in the descriptions?
I think its either radar or laser for the adaptive cruise control (so it slows down when you near another car on the highway)
 

aNoodle

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#6
It's an improvement no doubt. Way to go van Hooydonk. Let's see what he can do when he gets to completely erase the Bangle lines.
 

Bmw 325i 7803

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#7
Looks much better, I like it. Only the rear trunk still looks funny, it looks like it was a facelifted mistake which BMW made the best of. I don't think a car that goes from 75k and up should look like a redesigned mistake from the back.
 
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#9
epj3 said:
I think its either radar or laser for the adaptive cruise control (so it slows down when you near another car on the highway)
Most likely the adaptive cruise control, good catch.


I can only imagine how big of a bitch it would be to clean the brake dust off those wheels on the blue/grey 750i. What are those, 30 spokes a wheel?
 

epj3

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#10
DrivingTopless said:
Most likely the adaptive cruise control, good catch.


I can only imagine how big of a bitch it would be to clean the brake dust off those wheels on the blue/grey 750i. What are those, 30 spokes a wheel?
Can't be any worse than the basketweaves on a lot of the late 80's models. Trust me, those things are a bitch to clean (so many VERY small crevices)
 
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#11
This car looks MUCH better all around, but the rear is still kind of bad. The tail lights look sleeker and the rear does look better, but they didn't "remedy" the rear the way they did with the front. The trunk lid still looks like it's like...sitting "on top of" the trunk or something. The integrated spoiler is fine, but the way the trunk lid mixes with the trunk itself (along with the tail lights) is still just very odd and not flush at all.
 
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#12
MrElussive said:
This car looks MUCH better all around, but the rear is still kind of bad. The tail lights look sleeker and the rear does look better, but they didn't "remedy" the rear the way they did with the front. The trunk lid still looks like it's like...sitting "on top of" the trunk or something. The integrated spoiler is fine, but the way the trunk lid mixes with the trunk itself (along with the tail lights) is still just very odd and not flush at all.
I think this is because in order to "fix" the trunk, it would require a much more major structural overhaul of the car. You'd have to change the rear quarter panels and somehow shorten the trunklid. In order to bring the top of the trunklid down, you'd have to bring the line where the trunk meets the rear window down. That would involve serious structural changes. It's one thing to change fenders and the front fascia which simply bolts onto the structure of the car. It's a whole other thing to redesign rear quarter panels and rear package shelf area that are structural components of the car.
 

Bmw 325i 7803

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#13
jrt67ss350 said:
I think this is because in order to "fix" the trunk, it would require a much more major structural overhaul of the car. You'd have to change the rear quarter panels and somehow shorten the trunklid. In order to bring the top of the trunklid down, you'd have to bring the line where the trunk meets the rear window down. That would involve serious structural changes. It's one thing to change fenders and the front fascia which simply bolts onto the structure of the car. It's a whole other thing to redesign rear quarter panels and rear package shelf area that are structural components of the car.
Actually it wouldn't require a major structural overhaul, if they extended the blinker lights to the trunk piece as well and thinned the gap between the trunk piece and the rear fender it would work quite well...
 

aNoodle

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#18
bmw046series said:
This is a good day, the end of the Bangle Butt.
It's not quite gone, but looks like it lost 40 pounds!! That whacky horizontal cut/line in the rear is gone and the rear lights are together on the sides so it doesn't look as much like it's added on top last minute.

Looking at the before and afters...the rocker panels have also been de-flame surfaced! Hell yeah! And it looks like the goofy, pouty frown in the front has been taken off the 7 and given to Bangle in his new "promotion."

This is a good day indeed, long in the waiting!!!! [cheers]
 

epj3

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#20
Cube said:
Get rid of the damn shark fin. What's the purpose of the shark fin?
It's better than a big metal antenna sticking out of your roof or fender, isn't it?? It's for BMW Assist, and probably NAV and the radio system.
 


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