BMW is getting very close to showing us the new 2016 BMW 7 Series, without camouflage and ready for prime time. Last week, a select few prospective 7 Series customers were given an in-person preview of the next-generation BMW luxury flagship.
For the rest of us, we only have spy photos of camouflaged pre-production 7 Series and the occasional leaked pictures to get an idea of what the car will look like. Recently, BMW has released a few videos that give us a fresh look at how the new 7 is put together, and how it rides and handles.
In the first video, BMW shows off the new 2016 BMW 7 Series without actually showing us the new 2016 BMW 7 Series. It provides a view of the 7 Series we will never get to see unless we work in an auto body repair shop.
We knew the G11/G12 7 Series was going to lose some weight compared to the current version but we were still surprised when the total weight drop came in at 441 pounds. The use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic combined with more lightweight aluminum was the driving force behind the weight reduction, but newer and more lightweight systems also helped. The car’s new active steering system and air suspension “added lightness” as Colin Chapman would say. Some of these new systems may also reduce the connection the driver feels with the road, but we’ll reserve judgment on that until we actually drive one.
BMW has created a video to provide us an “under the skin” look at how the new 7 Series is put together, especially with regard to the more extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The production value of the video impressive, but we’d be even more impressed if BMW finished off the video by showing us the finished new 7 Series—from the outside and uncamouflaged.
The second video explores the handling and ride comfort that is so important to prospective 7 Series customers. As the BMW luxury flagship, the 7 Series must establish a perfect balance between performance and luxury, handling and comfort, gadgetry and driver connection with the car and the road.
BMW's answers to these challenges include a two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling, electronically controlled dampers, Integral Active Steering, and the first electromechanically driven Dynamic Drive roll stabilization system. Together, these systems allow the new 7 Series driver to choose the appropriate settings for the driving situation at hand, or allow the vehicle's adaptive settings to conform the car to the driver's style and road characteristics.
Enjoy the videos.—Scott Blazey
2016 BMW 7 Series Construction
2016 BMW 7 Series Driving Dynamics and Ride Control
[Photos and video courtesy of BMW AG.]
