Our dear friends at Germancarzone have some cool photos to share with us. picsoubmw, a member of the forum, went to the Paris Auto Show and snapped some amazing shots of the BMW 7 Individual. If you are still not familiar to the “Individual” buzzword, there here is a short summary:

BMW Individual was established in 1991 as a division of M GmbH with the goal of leading the trend towards more individuality by concentrating on customers who were looking for made-to-measure solutions and making tougher demands on their BMW in terms of distinction, design and function. The automobile becomes a subtle statement of personality which deliberately focuses on what’s special and which turns aside from standardization.

As mentioned above, the Individual models add something unique to each car, and the new 7 makes no exception. The high-quality finishes along with the close attention to details, make the interior of the BMW 7 Individual, one of the nicest ones, if not the best, in the whole BMW line-up.

Here are a few photos, but I encourage you to visit GCZ for a full gallery, there are some trully nice photos of the 7 there.

More Photos (more…)

The fellows at Autocar UK put together a short review of the new generation BMW 7 Series, and of course, they test drove an European version: the BMW 730d. So, far most of the 7 series reviews were quite positive and the general consensus seems to be that BMW did a great job with their new design and managed to win back some of the fans that weren’t fond of the E65/E66 series. 

Here is an excerpt from the article along with the full review here:

The fifth generation of BMW’s flagship saloon. The 7-Series has always played the dual role of limo and sporting saloon, and the new car is no exception.

As befits its flagship status atop the range, it comes laden with equipment – or the extra-cost option of such kit – much of which will later cascade throughout the rest of the BMW range.

In design terms, this 7-Series has moved on from the controversial design language of the previous-generation model, which also gave BMW’s one-knob-triggers-all ‘iDrive’ system its debut, and this has been substantially redesigned for the new car.

Although the exterior styling is clearly a refinement of what went before, the whole gels more effectively and carries with it a subtle muscularity that gives the car a sporty, athletic visual dynamic.

I have seen many photos of the BMW 7 Series so far, but the ones I am going to show you today, are simply amazing. Words can’t describe them and I think you will agree with me. The new 7 Series looks absolutely stunning in these shots, the background chosen for them is just perfect and I still believe the car looks even better in person.

Do you remember the first photos of the BMW 7 Series that came out a few months ago? Many people were bashing the car and even more disliked the direction BMW chose to go towards to. Well, in time, with the release of more and more photos, especially the dark exterior paint ones, the bimmer fans started to love the car, being more open to the changes and giving it a chance. I have always said that people, this includes us, BMW fans, are very reluctant when it comes to changes, and almost every single BMW redesign has been received with skepticism in the beginning. But as time passed, we accepted the changes, we embraced them and were happier than ever. 

Let me tell you a little story: in 2005 I bought my first E46, exciting, classy car, just a few months later, the E46 was retired and the E9x series came along. Well let me just say that I was so proud of myself for making the E46 choice rather than the new body style, but…that only lasted for about a year, when I snapped out of my own little fanboy world, and realized that my car was outdated and the new E90 sedan was a much better car, from all the perspectives. So, as some of you might know by now, three years later, I bought the…E90 sedan. Am I happier than before? ABSOLUTELY. 

Now to get back at the BMW 7 Series photos, you will see tons of good shots courtesy of the great german 7-forum.com, which btw, has tons more photos for us, so feel free to head over there for even more teasers. The shots were taken in the beautiful Dresden, Germany, during a press drive.

[source: 7-forum.com ]

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Two of the BMW’s premiers at the Paris Auto Show were the BMW X1 Concept and the all new redesigned BMW 7 Series. The X1 has been and it will be covered extensively, so let’s focus on the 7er for a bit.

We have all seen the multitude of photos that were released the past few weeks, but it is always nice to see new shots of, what I think it is a great car. The hybrid was there as well.

MotivMag has one once again some great shots.

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BMW-web.tv has just released another BMW 7 Series related video, but this time the footage focuses on the design and the materials used in what some call “one of the nicest BMW’s interiors to date”.

Just a week ago, the same folks at BMW-web.tv showed us how the new 7 Series went from a “simple” sketch to a real design. Like I have said many times before, these behind the scenes videos are extremely fascinating to me, so I hope you will enjoy it as well.

Those germans, always get access to the newest models first. The german media fellows at N-TV Engine and the Grip Magazine had the opportunity to play drive the new 2009 BMW 7 Series F01.

Thanks to our german blog edition and our Chief Editor, Benny, we are able to show you three more new videos. Take a look at the second one, I personally love how all the 7’s are lined up.

Hopefully not long until our turn will come to test drive the new BMW 7 Series.

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WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — BMW’s new North American chief is worried about the launch of the redesigned 7 series next year. With credit markets collapsing, Jim O’Donnell, CEO of BMW (U.S.) Holding Corp., says he has little hope for increased sales of the flagship sedan. At best, he says, BMW wants its new 7, which goes on sale in March, to do better than the overall import luxury segment.

“As a percentage of the segment, it will do better, but the segment will continue to be depressed this year and through next year,” O’Donnell says. The United States continues to be the car’s biggest market. The price of the current 7 series ranges from $77,625 to $126,625, including shipping. The new car’s price is expected to rise.

Dealers don’t have pricing or detailed product data. Ordering will start at year end and deliveries in March.
O’Donnell is confident the current model will be sold out by year end: “We’ll have a two-month gap — and that will be ideal — when there’s not a car in sight.”

O’Donnell says the iDrive control system has been further simplified. The system has a larger display screen, and climate control adjustments are on the instrument panel. The shifter on the steering wheel — a feature that annoyed customers — has been moved back to the center console. The styling also has changed. The prominent rear deck — dubbed the “Bangle butt,” after BMW’s chief designer, Chris Bangle — has been replaced with a much smoother rear. But despite the sniping, several manufacturers copied the rear because of the aerodynamic benefits.

The redesigned 7 series gets a new-generation, 4.4-liter V-8 engine with direct injection and twin turbocharging. Weight has been reduced by extensive use of aluminum in the body and major components. The suspension is new and has damping control that sets shock-absorber firmness. Advanced technology includes lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian detection and backup cameras.

[Source: Automotive News]

People have been saying ever since the new F01/02 7-Series debut back on July 3rd, that it is either identical or very similar to that of the Lexus LS 460. Is this true? I don’t really think that it’s a point of the new 7 looking like the new LS. We know they look alike, because Lexus copied enough off of the old 7 to always bear a BMW theme. It even has its own version of the Hofmeister Kink.

Let us take a close look at the design comparisons between the two cars. The more you look at the new 7, the more you realize that the BMW is way above the Lexus in so many ways, but styling especially.

The F01/02 7 has been a big hit in its true design theme. It has taken BMW to a whole new era of principle. The CS Concept design has been lent to the new 7.  Which is something we all wanted. But, some say the new 7-Series is ugly, and that it copies too much of the Lexus LS.

The new, 4th Generation, Lexus LS came onto the scene in 2007. People loved it. But many critics said, “Why does it look a lot like the 7-Series?” And you could hear a low sigh by many automotive journalists around the world who realized that Chris Bangle was right, and that his designs were now taking shape in more cars. Even from Toyota! With the new generation you are able to get either an LS 460 or a long wheelbase version dubbed the LS 460L. You could also get a new LS 600H, or the LS 600H L. The H standing for Hybrid, of course. What would Toyota be without a Hybrid version of every car they make? I actually saw an LS 600H L last night while driving around the downtown area… The front LED style lights look very upscale and nice, at night. And then you see the rest of the car and you aren’t really impressed. At least I’m not when I see one.

Now, let’s show you the true similarities and differences.

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Good day for BMW fans, no doubt. We just posted the BMW 7 Series Experience videos, then we showed you the Exterior Sketch to Design video and now, we have for you the official BMW 7 Series Catalog and datasheet, in PDF formats. Many other official photos have been released as well, so I will go ahead and post some of them, just to show you that the car does not look as bad as you thought.

The PDFs can be downloaded them from here:
BMW 7 Series Catalog

BMW 7 Series Datasheet

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Continuing with more coverage on the BMW 7 Series, and we have already seen one of our most viewed articles in 2008, Behind The 7 Series Design, and now, we have a new video for you showing you how the new 7 Series went from a “simple” sketch to a real design.

Karim Habib, Exterior Designer for the 7 Series and Anders Warming, Head of Exterior Design  BMW cars, talk about the designing process. Listen to them and you will see the passion that it takes to be a great designer, besides being talented.

Of course, Adrian von Hooydonk is there also.

We’re rocking it today and I am exciting to see all of these new videos and news coming out.

BMW has posted some new videos and information on their website, regarding the all new BMW 7 Series. We have BMW’s Head Designer, Adrian von Hooydonk who talks about the 7 Series design elements, the reasons behind the 7 Series exterior and interior design, he also mentions the 7 Series as being BMW’s flagship.

Really really good videos, high quality as well. You can access the page here: BMW 7 Series Experience

After the initial video plays, right below the video, there is a menu button, where you can choose to see Adrian and also….take a ride in an helicopter, which will give you an aerial view of the 7 Series. AMAZING! I’m really excited about what BMW’s marketing department can do and they blow my mind every time.

I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did.

Link again

Benny, our editor from BMWToday.de, discovered an interesting thing regarding the kidney grille of the new 2009 BMW 7 Series. Some of you might have already noticed a slightly different grille on some of the 7 Series models.

Here is the BMW 7 Series sporting 13 struts in each kidney:

And just a few days ago, we have seen a 7 Series with clearly smaller kidneys, 9 struts each.

Apparently, the 7 Series models that come equipped with the Night Vision System are the ones that are sporting the 9 struts kidneys. As you can see in the photo above, there is apparently a camera in the right kidney, which is part of the Night Vision System and serves as traffic detection and awarness.

In the past, I know many people have complained about the excessively large and not-so-good looking grille found in the new 7 Series, but judging from the photos above, to me it seems that the 13 struts kidneys are in a way more attractive. I’m wondering if people will base their decision on that when they will choose wether to install the Night Vision System.

[Source: BMWToday.de ]

Please take a look at the photo below and tell me what you see.

Talking about BMW, a company that really pays attention to details and gets us all excited over all these little things.

Those little things are what made me fall in love with BMWs, not that I don’t want a Ferrari, don’t get me wrong.

Our friends over at Bimmerfile have put together some new videos that were just released by BMW. The footage covers everything from interior, exterior design, to car handling and functionality.

There is also a mini interview with Karim Habib, exterior designer of the new7 Series, who brings up some interesting facts.

I hope you will enjoy it.

Bill Howard from Technoride has just posted one of the best reviews on the next generation BMW 7 Series. As we mentioned yesterday, the 7 Series reviews keep coming out, since more and more european online and offline media are being invited to test drive what some call “World’s Best Car”.  

Yesterday, we showed you a comparison between the BMW 730d and the Mercedes-Benz S320 CDI, but since the article hasn’t really gone into many details regarding the 7er, we are here to fix that: Technoride’s review comes in at the right moment and it covers everything and anything there is to know about the 2009 BMW 7 Series, from the new gadgets, to the new technology behind the amazing ConnectedDrive and of course, to the “amazing grace at speed”.

Thank you to our friend Jonathan Spira for sharing this great review.

Here is an excerpt from Bill’s article and the full story can be found here.

BMW’s 2009 7 Series stands as the new benchmark for technical and driving excellence among cars. With more efficiency and more power, an iDrive controller that’s nearly fixed (really and truly), Internet access, plus a dazzling array of comfort, entertainment, handling, and safety features, this is the car you should buy if you’ve got $85,000 burning a hole in your pocket. I drove a prototype 7 Series over the summer on BMW’s proving grounds in Miramas, France. Here’s a fuller review of the production version of the 7 Series, driven on public roads in and around Dresden, Germany.

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Nothing else that weighs 2-1/4 tons and measures 3 inches longer than a Cadillac Escalade comes anywhere near the performance of the fifth-generation 7 Series. Most of all, the 7 Series performs well for the driver on narrow roads, on wet skidpads, on unlimited-speed autobahns. Under extreme braking, there’s never any twitchiness suggesting the front and rear ends want to swap positions, something I’ve encountered in a couple American high-end sport sedans. The new iDrive controller helped me find information faster while driving and the optional head-up display (about $1,200) put the most important information at the bottom of my field of view through the windshield. For those without an HUD, the same key information goes into the instrument panel.