CARtoday.com reported in March that the BMW 7-Series would have a redesign to broaden its cosmetic appeal and we have spy pictures that show new front and rear styling due to be introduced for next year.
CARtoday.com reported in March that the BMW 7-Series would have a redesign to broaden its cosmetic appeal and we have spy pictures that show new front and rear styling due to be introduced for next year.
When the new version of the 7-Series is unveiled at either the Tokyo Motor Show later this year, or its Detroit equivalent next January, the public is bound to see a front end without the receding kidney grille and the much-maligned “Dame Edna glasses” front lights – as pictures of this thinly-disguised prototype suggest.
The kidney grille has been slightly widened and flares out more sharply. The grille protrudes boldly above the bumper, which has a redesigned airdam. On this prototype, the shape of the airdam flows to the outside and up instead of down as is the case on the current car.
As for the rear, if appears as if the 7-Series’ tail has been softened, with smoother edges on the bustle of its bootlid. Also note that the horizontal rear-light cluster now has a simpler design and is slightly wider than on the current car.
We reported in March that designer Chris Bangle had been sent back to the drawing board and was working on changes for the 7-Series.
When the car was launched early last year, many critics said they did not like the size of the car’s rear and that the deck lid was too high. But BMW said it had opted to raise the roofline so occupants could enjoy more comfort in the cabin.
The manufacturer said in order to have a taller roof, it had to either raise the deck lid or lengthen the car even more. The company decided the taller deck made sense. And the rest was history… nobody liked it.
Will the redesign – as previewed on the prototype shown here – draw positive public reaction? You tell us…