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.
BMW's current E65/66 7-Series has been roundly bashed since its introduction in 2002, and it's creeping up on retirement. Whether it was deserving of all the uproar or not is down to taste, but following up the classically styled E38 while also making a turn toward a new ethos is a 1-2 punch of controversy. BMW's finally grown into its flame surfacing, and the 2009 7-Series has been nabbed in its peculiar paisley camouflage.
Overhangs are still short like on the current car, and it looks like the headlamps might possibly be 5-Series inspired. Things are conservative and clean down the flanks, and we think it's handsome. The bustle trunk of the current 7 has been one of the biggest bones of contention, and from what we can make out, it's been treated to significant rhinoplasty. We'll have to wait and see, but we sincerely hope the unmasked car's taillights don't bear the same resemblance to a 2002 Maxima that we're seeing in the spy shots. Squinting and ignoring the black tape has us predicting that 2009 will be the year the BMW 7-Series gets is sexy back, even if they graft Trabant blinkers to its tukas.
