Newest (and most revealing) 7-series (F01) photos yet.

[Jason]

This full production 7-series (F01) was caught during a brochure shoot in Melbourne's South Yarra earlier today.

These images were taken as the car was readied for transport at the end of the shoot.

The car (expected to be unveiled at September's Paris Show later this year -- at the earliest!) is a major departure from the current 7. Looking a class smaller but still a full-S-Class competitor, the new generation's styling is clearly linked to the Concept CS BMW displayed last year in Shanghai and showed locally at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

The South Yarra car's sharply angled headlights and flush, extended double-kidney grille are covered in the images we were able to capture. However, having seen the car undisguised we can vouch they are virtually a productionised version of the CS showcar's 'shark-like' front end.

The new 7's bonnet features a flat top and sharp shoulder 'crease' that make the guards looked even more 'pumped' than the current 5 Series. The lines and aggressive chamfer also cleverly disguise the pedestrian friendly height of the front-end.

At the back of the new 7, gone is the 'bustle bum.' Bangle's Bump is replaced by a cleaner, more conventional yet still high-decked look.

The tail lamps are sculptured tight to the curves of the rear corner panels and feature tightly grouped mini LEDs in their main 'working' zones. They also boast a group of ogee-shaped inner lamps that look like they are almost an interpretation of shark gills -- quite unique, in keeping with the CS theme, and spectacular when lit.

As can be seen clearly in the photos hereabouts, the side profile of the car is dominated by strong, rising twin character lines, the higher of which is 'exaggerated' into a ridge by the time it has passed the leading edge of the front door. This upper ridge bisects the door handles.

These are 'partnered' by a lower 'smile' (a la 1 Series) that produces dramatic light effects on the side of the car -- a trademark of the Bangle era BMWs.

Make no mistake; however, the new car signals a return to the wheel-at-each-corner look of the E38 7 Series and E39 5 Series. In fact, it is much more an evolution of the mid-90s BMW look than the current 'bloated' E65/66 7 Series.

The car we caught was diesel-powered. Though muted, the clatter was unmistakeable. It was very also much the finished item, with a complete interior, big brakes and handsome, finely spoked alloys -- 19 or 20-inch is our guess.

From a distance of around 6m we weren't able to see the fine detail of the interior, however, it appeared as though the twin-binnacle look of the current BMWs has been softened in the new car.

The Melbourne photo session is believed to be just part of the car's stint Down Under. Other locations chosen for the new 7's local modelling assignment include Sydney, Melbourne's Bolte Bridge and high-country resort, Falls Creek.

[OverDrive]

wow...i guess all of the new generation BMW's will get those huge kidney grills..looks good in my opinion even though i can barely see much

[southlight]

Thanks, Jason. What a car!




Best regards, south

[Park2670]

Ill still never get over how damn big those things are. Great for long drives!

[Remonster]

Make no mistake; however, the new car signals a return to the wheel-at-each-corner look of the E38 7 Series and E39 5 Series. In fact, it is much more an evolution of the mid-90s BMW look than the current 'bloated' E65/66 7 Series.

I can't even tell you how glad I am to hear this, the mid 90s were pretty much the golden age of BMW design IMO.

[Numb3rs]

Looks mean! Seems to have the same character line from the 1 series. Those are 20" wheels too, it seems!

[OverDrive]

hey guys, i found this.

[McLuVan]

looks aggressive

[Nikkahtropolis]

God that looks great! The front is still camo'd up but even now I can see how aggressive this is going to look. That character line is a bit high, and I was kinda hoping for that kink a la the CS. Still, I like how exaggerated the depth of the crease is. The wheels are also great looking. I can't wait to see this thing for what it is.

[Youngsta]

dat looks awesooome .... maybe dey should consider making an M7 hahaha XP

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

God that looks great! The front is still camo'd up but even now I can see how aggressive this is going to look. That character line is a bit high, and I was kinda hoping for that kink a la the CS. Still, I like how exaggerated the depth of the crease is. The wheels are also great looking. I can't wait to see this thing for what it is.

Character line is a little high, I agree. But it is a very well proportioned car, plenty of good lines in all the right places. The stance looks perfect. I think it'll be the grille/headlights/rearlights that make or break this car. I have high expectations!

[d3l0n]

Originally Posted by Youngsta

dat looks awesooome .... maybe dey should consider making an M7 hahaha XP

well they got b7 to deal with that. I saw one the other day... wow. ANy dealer u step into u get the utmost respect lol.

[cosmos515]

BMW will produce the CS as well, so the new 7er can't steal all the looks.

[hks786]

It's funny but I just realised something! Over at carspyshots.net they have competitions and I thought I'd enter. I made a new 5 series just for the sake of it and here's what it turned out like:

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...68_wallp-1.jpg

I just took a facelift 5 series and added some new CS design language to show roughly what it could look like. It's not a very good chop but the point is:

look at the character line and side skirts I used. They are the exact same as these new 7 series spyshots

[Nikkahtropolis]

650i wheels ftmfw!

[remmib]

Yepp, grill looks huge

[FifthStreetz]

looks massive.

[MI6]

I'm thinking the 755i w/decent options will be around 85k..........

Hmmm.....10k more then a fully loaded M-DCT M3....

May have to go for the "7".

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

650i wheels ftmfw!

[PIMP "E"]

i has the 3 series lines, cant wait to see what it really look like

[Hunter399@Motorwerks]

Nice find Jason!

[BCoBaby]

danm that thing is going to be SICK.