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Top BMW designer Karim Habib defects to Mercedes-Benz

Both Mercedes-Benz and BMW have seen recent design-chief departures, and now there's been a defection. Karim Habib, who had a hand in the F01 7 Series while at BMW, has left the Roundel for the three-pointed star. Habib's move to Mercedes has him overseeing Mercedes' advanced design studio in Stuttgart, working with MBZ design chief Gorden Wagener. Tasked with the brand's F cars, Habib's work will be looking two generations ahead, to the cars after the next new ones. Let's hope that the F700 goes on the same kind of de-uglification program as the 750 went on before it becomes an S-Class.
posted : 6/1/2009 @1:01:08 PM
First Drive: 2009 BMW 750Li

When the 2009 BMW 7 series was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show last fall, BMW's fifth-generation flagship had an anvil-sized burden to bear. Although the last 7 series was a milestone in the sales department, its design – which foisted Chris Bangle's influence onto an unsuspecting public – was all but universally panned when it was introduced in 2001. And if the exterior wasn't offensive enough (to some), BMW's newly-implemented iDrive system sent many reviewers and owners into unmitigated bouts of rage. For 2009, BMW has sought to address the fourth generation's foibles while capitalizing on its strengths. And while nothing is more subjective than styling, control interfaces have a huge impact on the overall experience. Find out if BMW has succeeded on both fronts after the break.
posted : 4/26/2009 @2:46:48 AM
Spy Shots: BMW Alpina B7 caught in traffic ahead of Geneva debutControversial BMW designer Chris Bangle may be out of the picture, but Bimmer's new 7-Series still bears his hallmarks. That aside, the new F01-generation holds much promise, with the possibility of a seemingly endless succession of performance variants speeding down the autobahn in hot pursuit. Rumors of an M7 may turn out to be unfounded, although a V12 version looks to be on the way. But not before pseudo-works tuning house Alpina lays their new B7 on us. The high-performance luxury sedan is tipped to bow next month at the Geneva show, but an undisguised prototype has just been spotted on German streets. Following the teaser sketch released by Alpina back in December, this is the most we've seen of the upcoming bahn-stormer. Visible mods to the standard 7 remain low-key on the Alpina version, but the spy shots show small lip spoilers on the lower fascia and on the trunk lid, rounded out by bigger wheels. But the real treat will come under the hood, where Alpina's performance gurus are thought to have pulled 500 juicy horsepower out of the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8.
posted : 4/15/2009 @12:08:03 PM
V12 BMW 760i spied?

Although BMW's flagship 7 Series sedan has traditionally been available with twelve cylinders under the hood, the latest F01 chassis has so far been headlined by the company's twin-turbo V8. If these spy shots are anything to go by, however, the eight-cylinder turbo is about to get some company, A more aggressive front end, different wheels and a taped-up V12 badge on the front fender are the give-aways of the new range-topping model, which could employ the carryover naturally aspirated unit or get a pair of turbos bolted on for good measure. However, reports differ over whether BMW will offer an M7 performance version to compete with Audi's S8 and Mercedes' S63 AMG in addition to the V12 model. In the meantime, BMW is expected to unveil the new 760i at the Shanghai Motor Show in a couple of months from now.
posted : 4/11/2009 @3:47:41 AM
Spy Shots: Is BMW working on an M7?Don't get us wrong; we've got no beef with enormously powerful luxury vehicles. In fact, we love 'em. But while Mercedes' AMG division has shoehorned their bestial power plants into all manner of vehicles big and small, BMW's Motorsport division has always drawn a line in the Bavarian sand. They'd tune the 3 Series and the 5 Series along with a handful of coupes and convertibles, but that's where it ended. But that line seems to be eroding, as spy shots of what could be an M7 sedan have been snapped soon after the news of M-tuned X5 and X6 crossovers. It's hard to tell from the shots exactly what we're looking at, but it appears to be a sportified version of the latest-generation 7 Series (codename F01), complete with quad exhaust tips and lightweight painted wheels. Of course, it could be a tuner special, a simple M-Sport appearance package or an Alpina version, but then why would the BMW badges be covered? If it is an M7, it would be a first for BMW, and could, according to speculation, derive its power from a twin-turbo V12 with over 600 horsepower. Coupled with some weight reduction, the BMW M7 could give the the Mercedes S63 AMG and Audi S8 a run for their money, of which there is plenty at stake in this stratospheric sub-segment. And as with the reported emergence of an xDrive 7 Series, the Bavarians might be growing tired of seeing their customers leave town for Stuttgart or Ingolstadt.
posted : 2/1/2009 @8:53:50 PM
BMW to offer 7 Series with xDrive AWD in late 2009

Buyers in the upper echelon of the luxury segment are increasingly demanding all-wheel traction on their rides, and BMW has evidently grown tired of seeing would-be customers flocking to rival automakers like Audi and Mercedes-Benz to get what they want. So for the first time in the model line's history, the new BMW 7 Series will be offered with all-wheel drive. Engineers in Bavaria have reportedly worked hard to keep the 7's rear-drive dynamics intact, and have opted to fit the xDrive system with a 30:70 rearward bias instead of the 40:60 in other applications. xDrive-equipped 7s will also get a slightly higher ground clearance and Hill Decent Control, a system usually reserved for serious off-road vehicles. The option will be available on all versions of the 7 save the smallest diesels and gasoline engines that we don't get in North America anyway, fetching a €2500-2800 premium (in European markets) over conventional rear-drive versions. BMW is testing the 7 Series with xDrive in snow-draped locales before the option is offered in other markets starting at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2009, after which Quattros and 4Matics will be looking over their shoulders.
posted : 12/30/2008 @6:53:21 PM
Alpina teases with sketch of next B7 sedan

This is a sketch of the coming Alpina B7, to be based on the new BMW 750i. Outside, there won't be much happening -- nor necessary -- beyond Alpina's new front lip, rear wing and trademark wheels. Inside, Alpina might have some minor cluster mods in store, but we wouldn't expect too much change there, either. As with the 2007 B7 and its 500 hp and 4.8-second 0-60 time, we figure the engine and suspension will be heavily redressed on this next version. Alpina could opt for the centrifugal supercharger routine again, but whatever they do will surely put healthy distance between the B7 and the 400 hp of the donor car's 4.4-liter V8. The B7 might also get BMW's rumored 8-speed transmission. It will definitely get a stratospheric price tag.
posted : 12/23/2008 @9:04:02 PM

BMW considering diesel 7-series for U.S.

While we were visiting with BMW at the LA Auto Show, the automaker made a big deal about its diesel engines, suggesting that the oil-burners would be an alternative to hybrids in the United States just as they are in European countries. Although it wasn't initially in the plans for the U.S. market, BMW of America is getting some pressure from its dealerships to bring a diesel version of its range-topping 7 Series sedan, completely redesigned for 2009 and equipped with a twin-turbo 4.4L V8. That's an impressive engine no doubt, but after getting a drive in the Euro-market 730d, some dealers didn't even realize there was a different powerplant underhood. That bodes well for future diesels from BMW.

Soon, the Bavarian automaker will import diesel versions of its 3 Series and X5 utility vehicle with a twin-turbo six cylinder engine. On average, a diesel-powered Bimmer is about 20-25% more efficient than its gasoline-fed sibling, so diesels make sense both for consumers looking to lower their fuel bills and also manufacturers needing to adjust their CAFE fuel mileage statistics. In other words, it may be more surprising if an automaker like BMW didn't announce that it was working on more diesel engines for America.

posted : 11/28/2008 @4:50:28 PM
Neiman Marcus nabs first 2009 BMW 7 Series

Those who do their daily shopping within the pages of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book will be the first able to purchase the new 2009 BMW 7 Series beginning October 17th. The price of early adoption in this case will be a steep $160,000 for one of 31 Neiman Marcus Limited-Edition 2009 BMW Individual 7 Series sedans based on the new 750Li. While that price is tens of thousands above what we expect the 7 Series base price to be, buyers will get much more than just the car. Included in the asking price is a trip to Europe to take delivery of the special 7 Series at BMW's headquarters in Munich, after which buyers will tour the south of France in their new sedan. After the fun and frolicking, BMW will have the car shipped back to the U.S. for you. And, of course, you aren't just purchasing a standard 7 Series. Each model has been customized by BMW Individual and painted in a special Diopside Black metallic color with an interior stitched in Champagne Merino leather and accented with wood and Piano Black inserts. Is all that worth 160 large? That depends on how nice you want Christmas to be this year.
posted : 10/13/2008 @10:56:02 PM
Paris Preview: BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid

With the arrival of the BMW 7 Series ActiveHybrid, which will make its initial debut at the Paris Motor Show, both BMW and Mercedes-Benz are set to enter the luxury hybrid market that has so far only seen action in the form of the Lexus LS600h. Although BMW was one of the brands that helped develop the sophisticated Two-Mode hybrid system that's currently being used in the full-size 'utes from both GM and Chrysler, the Bavarian automaker has chosen instead to equip its 7 Series with the same mild hybrid architecture that it helped to develop and is used by cross-country rival Daimler. Like the S400 BlueHYBRID, a 120-volt lithium ion battery will be kept underhood along with a small helper motor that's hooked up to the engine, in the case of the BMW, a twin-turbocharged, direct injected 4.4-liter V8. Expect well over 400-horsepower from the gas/electric combo along with combined fuel mileage in the low 20's.
posted : 10/2/2008 @4:03:39 PM
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