Behind the design of the BMW 7 Series

BMWBlog submitted on 08/08/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 4:26 PM
from: www.bmwblog.com

Tags: bmw, bmw 7 series

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bmw 7 series

Behind the design of the BMW 7 Series

Have you eve wondered what goes behind the scene, before a car actually goes into production? What are the steps in the design process? How is it done? Each time I see a video showing the making of a car, I become fascinated with the whole process and to me, this behind the scene documentary is more exciting than the actual official launch.

With this being said, wouldn’t you love to see what went behind the scene of the all new 2009 BMW 7 Series? Read Article

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lovecars11 - 8/9/2008 8:47:38 AM

-5 Boost

Why bother, BMW have just copied the Lexus LS. BMW owners accuse Lexus of stealing ideas, but have a look at the pointless & series. If you can not beat them join them.

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FactsRule - 8/9/2008 9:05:22 AM

+1 Boost

Starr=lovecars11

zairnaim - 8/9/2008 11:15:46 AM

+6 Boost

Why are some people so obsessive over some puny details. Oh look the tail lights look similar lets bash so and so for doing that. The truth is that most if not all manufacturers copy design cues here and there. As long as it isn't identical who really cares? For example the ls profile looks like a BMW's, xf side view looks like that of the gs. It happens all the time because you can't necessarily come up with a completely new design for every car out there! BTW i am not a BMW fanboy I personally prefer Infiniti and Lexus but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate other brands for what they are.

AdmiralT20 - 8/9/2008 11:54:03 AM

+1 Boost

The back of the LS is an evolution of the E65 7 series .The previous LS model's rear was a carbon copy of the older S-Class.
The front of the current LS is greatly influenced by the front of the current S-Class.

So in a nutshell, the current LS is a confluence of the 7 series and S-Class

FactsRule - 8/10/2008 12:01:32 PM

+5 Boost

I wonder when Talor would lay another turd and sure enough here it is..

RefuG - 8/11/2008 6:00:27 PM

0 Boost

Have you ever looked at tail lights of current 5 series?!?! Well, compare those to Lexus LS and you'll see who's coping who.

It works best when you put pic in "profile" view.

G

rumnyc - 8/9/2008 8:52:28 AM

-2 Boost

simply brilliant..

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mpwr - 8/9/2008 9:35:57 AM

+4 Boost

whats amazing is that we can have all kinds of CAD, but when it comes down to it, clay rules

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EL34 - 8/9/2008 12:46:22 PM

+1 Boost

This new BMW 7-Series takes a sledge hammer and bashes the hell out of the Lexus LS.

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SanJoseDriver - 8/9/2008 1:59:30 PM

+1 Boost

Maybe in performance, handling and exterior looks (last one is debatable) but definitely not in comfort, reliability, technology, or interior looks/quality. Keep in mind that a lot of people looking at luxury full-sized sedans are also looking at the things I mentioned that the LS excels in. So I wouldn't call it a sledge hammer bashing at all.

Also keep in mind that the LS gets significantly upgraded every 3 years instead of 5-7. We don't know what Lexus has around the corner.

kthor - 8/10/2008 12:18:15 AM

-2 Boost

That is pure BS. The Seven destroys the LS in technology and it is supremely comfortable. The Interiors aren't glitzy, but they are beautifully crafted and appropriate for the act of Driving. The Seven in recommended by Consumer Reports and BMW is the highest rated German brand.

kthor - 8/10/2008 12:19:22 AM

+2 Boost

...by JD Powers.

Willis - 8/10/2008 4:17:46 AM

-3 Boost

SanJoseDriver,

The Lexus LS has to be one of the most overrated cars in this class. Yes it is very reliable and loaded with technology but comfort wise it isn't even on the same level as the S class as VARIOUS REVIEWS HAVE STATED. Furthermore the S class handles while the LS is less capable in this department. So how does the S class manage to handle better and be more comfortable at the same time? Sounds to me like the S class has the more ADVANCED SUSPENSION / TECHNOLOGY onboard.

From the pictures, the interior of the new BMW 7 series looks to be just fine. Maybe you should examine the cheap plastics and fake-looking wood inside the LS more closely before you talk about interior quality. VARIOUS REVIEWS have stated how the LS interior feels less complete and cheaper than its German competitors. In my personal experience the Audi A8 and Mercedes S class have beautifully crafted interiors that are simple in appearance yet elegant. The LS interior is cluttered, confusing and looks like an ergonomical nightmare completely lacking elegance and simplicity. Oh, and it has a lot of cheap shiny plastics that initially look good but when you spend more time inside the car, you notice how cheap they appear.

Technology? Every car in this nichemarket is loaded with advanced technology. Lexus simply conducts more marketing about how "advanced" the LS is to create a supposed selling point for consumers. In tests, some of those features that the LS has, like the collision avoidance system, do not function that effectively in real world tests. Autobild and Auto Motor und Sport both tested this and came up with the conclusion that this system is a GIMMICK designed to make people feel safe, but in reality it is unreliable and ineffective in operation.

So please get of the Lexus crack and come back down to earth where you'll see that the LS is a car like any other. Much of its reputation is based on technology which the average LS consumer has never used or tested. They know their LS has it because it says so on paper and that's it.

SanJoseDriver - 8/11/2008 12:26:04 PM

+1 Boost

How is the LS over-rated? Based on the nonstop Lexus bashing that goes on in these forums and mediocre comparison reviews in car articles I would say it under-rated.

I'm not saying that the LS is overall a better car than the 7 series (or S class), but it DOES have advantages. To me the LS interior looks much nicer and cleaner than the 7 series, including the 2009. I don't like the way the Germans lay things out, to me its very unintuitive and unergonomic. I-drive is a bad joke... it's the clumsiest way I could think of to control a car's systems.

Also with technology I'm not just talking about useless features like collision avoidance... I'm talking about something as simple as having a decent navigation system. The BMW Nav is one of the worst I have ever used (hopefully it is way better in this 7 series) while the LS Nav is amazing.

FactsRule - 8/9/2008 2:39:42 PM

-4 Boost

Look at the current Toyota Avalon and you will see what Lexus has in store for the new Lexus LS.. You see that is what an LS is basically a trickle down version of the Toyota Avalon.. LOL

Let Staar and Huu run with this one..........

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sector - 8/9/2008 5:23:34 PM

+3 Boost

I don't care who copies what, as long as the end product is pleasing to the eye. But the 7-series is not only 'not' pleasing to the eye, but it's down right ugly.

Looks like the design, clay work wrapped up in a single afternoon.. I don't blame them though, I'm sure the Quandts put a tight leash on the expenditure for the design and implementation process, especially the interior.

BMW's are all about cost cutting, after they've somewhat achieved ok driving dynamics, everything else is an afterthought, ever seen a decent BMW cup holder? just look at the bland 80's interior, with cheap unsupportive seats, especially in the 1 and 3-series. They look low quality compared to the heavily bolstered seats you find in Benz and Infinity. Even the M's have that pervasive cheapness throughout, no wonder people call them taxis.

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bmwman1963 - 8/9/2008 7:34:15 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

OK "Staar" "Teknik" "auto001" since we all know on this site you are all one and the same, let's see what happens with the next gen Lex LS.. I bet you anything it will have some resemblence to the 7 series, hell I even bet they copy the new idrive system. And for your information BMW interiors are made of far more quality materials than any Lexus or for that matter, any Jap car company... Just because Lex puts a little more "CHEAP BLING", think Gold emblems, and shiny buttons, doesn't make it better. Every automotive critc in the industry has hated the way even the new Infinit interiors look great, but wear really bad.. ie scratches, cracked leather etc.. BMW's have far more substance than a little cheap make up job such as LEXUS.............

bmwman1963 - 8/9/2008 7:35:53 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

And as far as I know, only u and all of your alias user names call BMW's taxi's.. LOL

Everybody with a brain has your number on this site. Get a life and troll some other site that maybe u can back up your claims.

Germancar_fan01 - 8/9/2008 8:25:18 PM

+5 Boost

bmw taxis ?loool I would pay 6.50 $ for the ride.Very nice pics...cant wait for it to come the North America.

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MunichRob - 8/9/2008 10:54:44 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

I'd like to see the other purposed designs, anything would have looked better than what they decided on.

I'm still upset with the new 7's design & extremely worried about what the new 5 & especially the new 6 will look like.

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kthor - 8/10/2008 12:23:53 AM

+3 Boost

Wait until you see the thing in person. The pictures don't do it justice at all.

Dr550 - 8/10/2008 12:35:56 AM

+2 Boost

Last picture with Bangle shows car looks better in sterling gray. Definitely need to see 7-series in person. Design will make sense once 8-series/GT is released.

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Dr550 - 8/11/2008 3:19:54 AM

+1 Boost

Staar, get out of your Lexus think-box for about the ten minutes it takes you to read and comprehend the message. BMW covets how Mercedes S-class/CLS models market to different niches. Have you ever driven either model? I have and both are beautifully done. BMW 7-series will make sense because conservative design will appeal to different buyer than 8-series. Then you can say you would rather drive a Aston Martin Rapide than a 8-series and your Lexus world will not be disrupted.

Speedoholic - 8/10/2008 1:05:45 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I must agree, looks nice in grey, definitely not in gold

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Autoegr525 - 8/10/2008 2:32:15 AM

+1 Boost

Anyone else see the new 5 series in the last picture on that page?

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DW1968 - 8/10/2008 8:11:18 PM

+1 Boost

I just see two dorks in suits who couldn't design their way out of a wet paper sack.

MunichRob - 8/10/2008 8:49:18 AMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

I'm sorry but there's just no denying that the grill is out of proportion & the rear resembles that of the Lexus LS but looks worse.

The only reason I'm all over this car is because I'm such a devoted Bimmer guy that it makes me mad to see them release such an Asian inspired design.

I drive a 650i coupe & have planned all along on driving it until the new 6 arrives, but after the new 7 I'm worried it's going to have a grill of "cartoonish" & disproportionate size.

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nozferatu - 8/11/2008 1:56:44 AM

0 Boost

Hell..I got all excited for nothing...I thought I was going to witness a cocaine/drug party where everyone was high.

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Hummingbird - 8/11/2008 6:29:21 AM

0 Boost

Amazing taking something you designed and taking it into reality. Would love to see more on how the actually parts are manufactured from the clay model including all the safety features that must be integrated.

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JudasLease - 8/13/2008 1:27:29 AM

+1 Boost

I don't understand why its so hard for them to just make a classic design like they have in the past instead of trying so hard with random lines and angles.

All this "hey look at me" styling on all these new cars is not CLASS but CRASS!!!

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jochet - 8/14/2008 8:17:44 PM

+1 Boost

some of the posters on this site, are ridiculous, looks are subjective, has anyone ever heard the ecpression beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm glade that I have choices when I go looking to buy a car shouldn't you be?

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