M3 oil in 7 Series heart
BMW did us a small favour and lifted the hood to give us a glimpse of the new 7-series engine. According to the handwritten note on the powerplant the car already underwent serious cold weather testing at minus 40 degrees Celsius last December.
While parked at the Nürburgring test-center the hood was left open in order to let the engine cool quicker. Right now BMW engineers are doing some more rigorous testing to the new 7-series by slamming the big and heavy limousine around the track, as if it was an M3. And that is one of the technician's goals: to make 2.5 tons feel as light and sporty as possible, and make it comfortable at the same time.
Having seen it drive some very quick laps, it looks like there is nothing wrong with the sport ambitions. The car goes through the corners with a small controlled over-steer, instead of the safer but oh so boring under-steer that the rivals from Stuttgart deliver. It really does look as if there is a little oil from the M3 pumping through that big 7 heart.
The current BMW 7-series has been on the market since 2002 and received one restyling in 2005. These photos are showing a latest test car with some disguise on front and rear end, but already now it is clear that the next 7-Series becomes bigger. The disguise is hiding a lower hood, different headlights, new bumpers and air intakes and a wider front grille. It is expected that the new 7-Series' design will be more down to earth than that of the current model, and that the styling will adapt elements from the 6-series.
The new 7-series is
not expected to be released before spring 2008.
