Spies uncover exclusive details about the next generation BMW 7-Series

Agent001 submitted on 04/18/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:58 PM
from: www.autospies.com

Tags: BMW 7-Series

BMW 7-Series

Spies uncover exclusive details about the next generation BMW 7-Series

Even though sales are stronger than the previous generation BMW 7-Series, dealers will tell you in confidence that they've been disappointed with the whole design and electronic glitch debacle that has plagued the car since introduction.

The good news for BMW traditionalists is the next version's design will be more evolutionary than revolutionary.

And more refined and elegant.

But don't look for BMW to stop the technology stampede on the next car...

The Spies are hearing from reliable sources that the new 7 will employ a bevy of new technologies that would make the engineers over at Lexus blush!

Forget back up camera's. We're told the new 7 will have AT LEAST four camera's that will do everything from parking, backup assistance, around corner sighting, lane departure monitoring, plus a couple surprise features.

We also hear that BMW will incorporate things like night vision into the main speedometer area and the next cars gauges will be virtual projected onto a plasma style screen, ala new Mercedes S-Class.

And when it comes to power and performance this WILL be the ultimate driving machine as it will employ the new turbo technology to the enth power.

Look out AMG!

Sources tell us the high end of the line will cross the 700hp barrier.

And give the same fuel economy as the current 750! Want more?

Third generation adaptive cruise, the best BMW sound system in history, all new navigation system with the next generation traffic monitoring, etc., an even more intelligent key system, all show up on the next car.

Stay tuned, we will publish more details as they emerge.

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answer - 4/18/2007 3:12:55 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Sounds good.

Wonder what audio system they are going with.

700HP would be awesome!

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2007 3:18:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Oh, COME ON! This is so untrue that I almost burst out laughing! 001, how can you believe this crap? It's not possible for a vehicle to have 700hp and get 25mpg... unless it weighs 1,000lbs!

And, the four cameras? That's not very BMW. Sounds very stupid to me.

I hope the 7 stays advanced, but I doubt it will reach this level for many years.

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Carboy - 4/18/2007 3:35:27 PMView My AgentSpace

-9 Boost

Oh puhlease, this is stupid, nothing could beat the S-Class in it's class, not even BMW!!!

Agent004 - 4/18/2007 3:54:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

"It's not possible for a vehicle to have 700hp and get 25mpg"
Is this "not possible" like the world can't possibly be round? Or like "I can't believe it's not butter" possible? Or it's not possible to ever use up more than 64K of RAM? Because 25MPG and 700HP sure doesn't sound impossible, especially when you mix some sort of alternative fuel or hybrid technology into the equation.

atomicbri - 4/18/2007 4:05:29 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Why is it so hard to believe about four cameras?? LOL that is basically low tech, just new tech for cars... hell I have seen robot units that disable bombs have more cameras on it so with all that space on a car that is VERY probable. The next 7 series probably will up the ante, just like the new S-Class did, then the Lexus LS did....that's so great about competition. Makes sure your favorite company never rests on its laurels!

budfrogS4 - 4/18/2007 4:17:35 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Let's try to calculate this out...if we say that you can get v8 power but with v6 fuel economy by switching to diesel, you can say that you get v10 power for the 5L v8 economy. V10's seem to getting around 500 hp...we'll call it 550. Add a hybrid system and you can say that you jump up to v12 power for v6 efficiency. The murc's v12 produces 640 hp...add 10% on top of that for timeline technology gain and 700 doesn't seem too far off.

Anybody buying that logic?

Regardless. Would you want to buy a 700 hp 7 series? If you have that kind of money you'd probably have your 7 series and a Lambo or Ferrari. I just hope they spend as much time on the styling of the new 7 as they will developing this 700 hp engine.

TheSailor - 4/18/2007 4:50:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

He didn't say 700 hp wasn't possible, but that it is impossible to get that kind of mileage, which I would have to agree on! It is just completely impossible with technology available today. An internal combustion engine just won't that kind of fuel economy. The only way to reach that kind of economy is to use a boiler / steam turbine setup, and i highly doubt that BMW will be going for such a solution... Physics does have it's limitations you know...

Chip - 4/18/2007 6:32:58 PM

0 Boost

S4, you sound very scared of this new "7"...as you should be.

The current 7-series, regardless of what anyone thought of the styling, raised the bar to a new level. And lets not forget the numerous other cars that began to take technology and styling elements straight from the 745i and incorporate them into their own interpretation.

The new 7 will be amazing. I cant wait until details begin to emerge.

Agent001 - 4/18/2007 6:58:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The current 750 doesn't get 25mpg...it gets around 19

001

S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2007 8:16:32 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

25, highway. You can get 25mpg on the highway in the less-frugal S550.

Chip, why would I be "scared?" I am a car enthusiast, and if this all came through for the 7 Series, I would be overjoyed. It would instantly become one of my favorite sedans- as if it isn't now. You think I'd be scared that it would beat the A8? I already like the S-Class more than the A8, and compared to the then-six-year-old A8, the 7 Series SHOULD be better. However, the new big Audi will come out the year after, so it will be an interesting fight...

minimalist - 4/18/2007 8:23:53 PM

0 Boost

not possible?

modern hybrid technology has the capability to put high hp while still maintaining a reasonable mpg. just check out lexus.

Chip - 4/18/2007 10:27:36 PM

-2 Boost

S4, you were getting all worked up at 001 simply for stating the new "7" will be very high tech and offer good mileage for its power.

"You think I'd be scared that it would beat the A8?".....no I never said that. But you just did.

"However, the new big Audi will come out the year after, so it will be an interesting fight"....(see above)

Because you feel the need to comment on EVERY SINGLE post, your insecurities show more than you'd like.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2007 11:36:50 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Look, I love BMW. Were I looking at RWD convertibles, 6 Series and new M3 would be at the top of my list. As I said, I would love it if the 7 Series did come with a ridiculous 700hp engine and 20mpg. But take a look at those figures. Do they look plausible to you? A 340hp jump over the current version?

And even if it was to be the next 760-- it's still a 260hp jump.

I wasn't saying that I don't want it to happen, I just find 001's "rumors" completely speculative and frankly, unjustifiable.

AudiLexus - 4/19/2007 12:23:12 AM

0 Boost

Who cares S4? Why take RUMORS that were clearly labeled as such so sensitively?

FitzLA - 4/19/2007 12:54:41 AM

-2 Boost

Nothing new with cars either. The upcoming Infiniti EX 35 will have it when it comes out during the last quarter of the year. They call it all around view.

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Gennissen - 4/19/2007 4:46:29 AM

+1 Boost

700hp around 25mpg is a bit far fetched..otherwise we would have seen a hint of such efficiency in the current and upcoming sports models.

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TheSailor - 4/19/2007 5:29:23 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

It is technically impossible to make an engine which can do 20 mpg and still deliver 700 hp... The only way to achieve that is to limit the power to the half most of the time and then only deliver the full power when the driver activates it, a la the P500 setting in the M5... And neither hybrid, diesel or even diesel/hybrid technology will enable this kind of powerboost. Gasoline or diesel simply won't offer the energy to do this... They might be able to make 500 hp with 750i economy using turbos and intelligent engine management, but not 700 hp!

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farabira1 - 4/19/2007 3:35:16 PM

0 Boost

well someone thinks that a corporation like bmw that is tech freak will even deliver 700hp and have a fuel mileage of 25mph. You must be joking to call such an achievement feasible in today's car technologies. The engine uses compression of gases generated from burnt fuel to generate the force that drives the car and W(work) =FD (force times distance). And because of the fuel that we have available to us now, the maximum amount of force that can be put forth will not be able to generate 700 hp, if only a small amount of fuel is injected. and hybrid technology is not magic, it provides an alternative source of power, but the power output is a very small fraction of the total power output.

So please try to consider before you try to defend some outrageous claim.

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THESCOOTER - 4/20/2007 11:57:49 AM

+1 Boost

That was funny.

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MObar - 4/18/2007 3:33:13 PM

+1 Boost

Sounds good to me, 700hp, i don't quite know about that

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EL34 - 4/18/2007 3:37:33 PM

-4 Boost

"We're told the new 7 will have AT LEAST four camera's that will do everything from parking, backup assistance, around corner sighting, lane departure monitoring, plus a couple surprise features."

My peeps, I must have this car!!!

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budfrogS4 - 4/18/2007 4:20:46 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

They're quickly turning the 7 from the ultimate driving machine to the ultimate passengering machine. Cool toys but put them in the Avalon so that my 80 year old grandma doesn't get into an accident.

EL34 - 4/18/2007 10:30:35 PM

0 Boost

"parking, backup assistance"

Sounds good to me and hopefully the new 7 will have night-vision and self-parking.

Don't you agree?

S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2007 11:38:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

EL, have you not bashed the LS for its self-park feature?

I think both night vision and self-park are completely useless and don't want to see them in a BMW... budfrog implied that they would dilute the brand, and he's right. We don't need another luxury-only company.

EL34 - 4/18/2007 11:51:47 PM

+1 Boost

S4, technology is all good just as long as the application is user friendly.

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EL34 - 4/19/2007 12:43:14 PM

+1 Boost

i know.

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 4/18/2007 3:50:15 PM

+2 Boost

* 700hp in a 7 is quite Possible
* 700hp and MPG returns like current 750 is Very Improbable
* 4 Integrated Cameras is Very Likely considering the setup on the Infinity Fx Concept with 4 Cameras providing 360 Degree Coverage around the Vehiche (Image projected unto the Sat Nav Screen)

Think that (4 Camera) feature would be quite COOL.

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Terminal10 - 4/18/2007 4:27:27 PM

0 Boost

Bring it on! Obviously weight is not none but with 700hp I wonder what kind of 0-60 times we would be talking?

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PlanB - 4/18/2007 4:27:39 PM

-3 Boost

I swear pretty soon you won't be driving anymore, the car has so much technology crammed under the hood you could probably drive it blindfolded. But seriously, it all sounds like overkill to me, BUT, if there target is Lexus and Mercedes I guess this all just the next logical step.

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MunichRob - 4/18/2007 4:29:28 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

This is getting out of hand with the technology. I don't like the CL's & S-class's projected gauges & I sure wouldn't like it any better on a Bimmer.

As far as the cameras go, believe it! There will be two cameras in the side of the front skirt of the car, so the driver can poke the nose out & see around blind corners.

I hope BMW doesn't load the 7er with usless technology...They'd be as bad as Lexus.

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vdiv - 4/18/2007 4:37:38 PM

+1 Boost

Car mechanics' dream come true! Nothing but lease for this monster.

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TheSailor - 4/18/2007 4:54:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

700 hp and 25 mpg sounds highly unlikely... If they really reach that kind of performance, I'm sure quite a few people would pay quite a few bucks for that technology!

The electronics however sounds very interesting... Can't wait to see this thing!

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TheSailor - 4/18/2007 4:56:52 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

BTW: Did I just read park assist?! Ohh damn... They wouldn't, would they?! That would be aweful. More ammo for the rabid fanboys. I can imagine the "BMW copied Lexus" posts... Ohh boy

EL34 - 4/18/2007 5:05:00 PM

-5 Boost

Didn't BMW invent self-parking?...I thought so?

Chalk one up for BMW.

TheSailor - 4/18/2007 6:03:08 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Wasn't that VW who came up with self parking?! Anyway, I don't think that will stop the fanboys!

EL34 - 4/18/2007 5:05:45 PM

+5 Boost

I don't think so!

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Agent63 - 4/18/2007 6:46:38 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

LexusKing you dream way too much.

The A8,7 and S are the top III in this segment. Try convincing the Europeans that a Lexus is better than their own.

It's like Lexus fans think they are the best because Lexus was catered the US market in the first place.

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atomicbri - 4/18/2007 7:10:29 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

LexusKing, BMW was first to market the self park feature actually, back in February of 2006, available in Europe and brought it to market before Lexus. So what "features" are you referring to that they had to gather around an LS?

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Will_ - 4/18/2007 10:47:11 PM

+1 Boost

atomicbri,

Toyota was the first to market self-parking. How many times will you people gloss over this fact to make some silly anti-Lexus point!?!?

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enthusiastx11 - 4/19/2007 12:39:40 AM

+4 Boost

lol. then how do explain the LS appearance that combines the rear of a 7, the side of a mid-90s S and the face of an ES/camry?

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maikoazu - 4/19/2007 1:57:27 AM

+1 Boost

Your thinking cap is on backward.

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Anthony - 4/19/2007 1:59:04 AM

0 Boost

^^^The LS is a more elegant/conservative execution of Bangle. So is the S-Class. So is the Camry, so is practically every other car out there following this "trend" except BMWs themselves.

While we're at it I want everyone to Google Image "Toyota Chaser."

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atomicbri - 4/19/2007 8:58:34 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

When?? When did Toyota, and if they did great! But according to every internet Wiki thing and all I have seen they say BMW was the first to have it for sale. I don't care who did, if you live in America then Toyota's Lexus was first, if in Europe, BMW was first.

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FitzLA - 4/19/2007 6:00:21 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, Toyota did. It was around on Toyotas long before the LS got it in the U.S. and long before BMW. It has been in Japan for years now. But there is no telling the die hard BMW fans anything. They have their blinders on.

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Agent63 - 4/20/2007 4:41:18 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Benchmark is the S-Class. The LS when it first came out wanted to be the S-Class. Don't get it twisted the LS is not the benchmark in this segment because you're basing your words on the sales in the US.

Being benchmark and being a leader in sales are two different things. Just because people buy a lot of LS's in North America it does not mean it's a benchmark full size luxury sedan.

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tom333 - 4/18/2007 5:09:28 PM

+3 Boost

Bangle was quoted in CAR magazine as saying it's really "cool"

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tom333 - 4/18/2007 5:09:44 PM

+3 Boost

that sounds good to me

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stone - 4/18/2007 6:25:06 PM

+1 Boost

I can't wait the see the next 7 series, but all of these gadgets worry me, I can't imagine the cost of repairing that speedometer or any of these gadgets. Hopefully BMW will continue to give free maintenance on the car. I love my 745, but I will never, ever own another BMW out of warranty....

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Rupert - 4/18/2007 6:42:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

It's been so long since the last 7 came out I think we've all forgotten how much it changed everything. It may not have looked good but it was completely different from the last model, and its styling influenced many others.

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MunichRob - 4/18/2007 6:59:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Yeah "LexusKing" I'm sure BMW has a secret test lab which is like their equivalent of the army's Area 51 base...

Here they study Lexus all day, trying to decode their advance technology as if it were an alien spacecraft.

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weaponX - 4/18/2007 7:13:12 PM

+3 Boost

Nah....they go to this lab for comic relief.

weaponX - 4/18/2007 7:13:57 PM

+5 Boost

I hope they eventually offer the Vertical/Short-Take-Off-Landing option.

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Rupert - 4/18/2007 7:32:08 PMView My AgentSpace

+6 Boost

The roundels at the front and back pop out and unfurl to become rotor blades.
The new 755i - twin turbine.

well they are propeller badges ;)

Larry - 4/18/2007 7:43:30 PM

+1 Boost

the BMW 7 series, you have to respect BMW taking a risk and succeeding with the Bangle designs, The 750Li with the sport package, and the 19 inch deep dish fan wheels is amazing. In fact Lexus with its new hot LS450, and Mercedes hot S-class can thank Chris Bangles design ideas, These cars look like sports sedans, not the tired same old traditional look like the current Jaguar sedans and old Lexus, and Mercedes E-class styles.

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2007 8:19:47 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

I saw a white 750Li "Individual" at the Chicago Auto Show. It had beautiful 19 or even 20" five-spoke rims, and looked absolutely stunning. If the 7 Series was available with AWD, I'd definitely drive it for my wife (I don't want a big sedan, she does).

BMW995 - 4/18/2007 7:57:18 PM

+4 Boost

Notes from an automotive engineer:
You can get reasonable gas mileage from a 700 bhp engine, BUT you sure can't use most of those 700 ponies! The 335i gets 30 mpg hwy at a steady 75 mph.
The complexity of these cars...the current 7 series has around 120 electric motors; 38 in the seats alone!

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TauronB2G - 4/18/2007 8:06:41 PM

+3 Boost

I don't really care about 700hp. What I noticed was that they said that sales have been up vs. the last car. Could that be due to the fact that the car is sold in more markets than the last gen 7 series. Like China for instance?
T

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/18/2007 11:40:13 PMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

No, it really has sold better in major markets. Look it up.

sewingmachine - 4/18/2007 8:16:57 PM

0 Boost

four cameras, what? everyones always complaining about so techy but when bmw does it, its all good. hahaha.

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bahncole - 4/18/2007 10:40:20 PM

-3 Boost

LOL.this is so not true.:<

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Will_ - 4/18/2007 10:45:40 PM

0 Boost

"The Spies are hearing from reliable sources that the new 7 will employ a bevy of new technologies that would make the engineers over at Lexus blush!"

You hear that? BMW is going to trump Lexus in the engineering department!!!

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Will_ - 4/18/2007 10:48:07 PM

+2 Boost

I just realized how "EL34" that sounded...

EL34 - 4/18/2007 11:50:56 PM

+1 Boost

Bingo.

EL34 - 4/18/2007 11:48:07 PM

+1 Boost

I predict Bangle will design another sure fire winner with the new '09 7 :)

1000 watt stereo with 30 speakers too!

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AudiLexus - 4/19/2007 12:14:31 AM

+1 Boost

The 7-Series will be yet another over-styled, overpriced, over-computerized bomb.

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enthusiastx11 - 4/19/2007 12:41:15 AM

+1 Boost

sign me up!

Anthony - 4/19/2007 1:55:26 AM

-2 Boost

Hilarious.

Rupert - 4/19/2007 5:36:50 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

why break the habit?

Agent63 - 4/19/2007 10:10:54 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Do you say this because you can't afford one so you talk down on it? If so shut your mouth. Go sit in the 760 and go tell me it's over priced. Go sit in an S-Class and tell me it's over priced. Go sit in the A8 and tell me the same. Like I said many times over again. This segment is dominated by the big III from Germany whether you like it or not.

If it carries traits like the current refreshed version it will be a successful 7 series. Whether it's over priced or not loyal consumers will still buy it. How do you justify something being over priced? Do you compare it to a Lexus LS? obviously Lexus priced their flagship lower than it's German rivals. But if you compare a Lexus to it's rivals then everything is overpriced.

M53R - 4/19/2007 8:56:52 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Oh please! Some of you people are so jealous! Another thing is, BMWs flagship is going to be sporty with all that extra tech! Just watch a review of the 745i when it came out... it was a car from another world! BMW will focus more on luxury, but keep the sporty habbit.
I really cant wait for it to launch, it will be a killer. I just hope they dont increase the price too much... I heard rumors it will be priced close to the S class. Oh and I really dont believe it will have a 700hp engine.... thats too much power under the hood. I cant wait for BMW's answer for the S class and LS.....

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AdmiralT20 - 4/19/2007 3:55:02 PM

+1 Boost

I hope most of the people that are saying 700 HP with 25mpg is not a possibility will take the time to look at the specifications of the N54 engine (3.0 litre TT I6 engine). The N54 engine in the bench tests was delivery close to 400 HP&Torque but was restricted. It can be safely tuned 360 HP and Torque, and people that have done this have also reported improved fuel economy.
Initial bench test of the N64B44O1 engine (4.4 litre V8) gave 500+ HP and Torque, but it will limited to about 420 HP & Torque.
The numbers from the N73B60O1 (6.0 litre V12) engine are above the 700 Hp, but from what I gather this engine is for the RR.
Chances are we will get the N73B54O1 engine for the 760i, and the N64B44O1 for the 750i.

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BondJamesBond - 4/19/2007 4:31:41 PM

+1 Boost

Atomicbri: "LexusKing, BMW was first to market the self park feature actually, back in February of 2006, available in Europe and brought it to market before Lexus."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/01/15/car.selfpark.ap/index.html

Two years before BMW. Is Google not your friend?

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atomicbri - 4/19/2007 10:28:40 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I know I reiterated in another post that the Lexus is first in the States. In Europe, the LS is not available yet and the Prius never made it here with self parking feature...as far as first available in Europe, BMW had offered it. But as for who was first to make it available worldwide, then it seems Toyota was the first to actually offer it in any market yes.

Steve - 4/19/2007 7:42:01 PM

-1 Boost

The question on MY mind is: Will the new 7 be ugly?

001 writes "The good news for BMW traditionalists is the next version's design will be more evolutionary than revolutionary".

But does that mean evolutionary from the current unattractive design?

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atomicbri - 4/19/2007 10:30:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

maybe he means it will look more tailored like the 7's before the current, strangely styled one. Like perhaps an absense of the Bangle-ass...

pchera01 - 4/21/2007 11:57:54 PM

+1 Boost

700bhp and 25mpg, its better than F1 cars
plese get real
when people talk about BMW they get unreal

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