BMW knows how to make a stir with their designs; most recently, they attracted notoriety with the new 4 Series, M3 and M4 by increasing the double kidney grill size. The purpose of these models is to get people talking and for the driver to stand out in the company car park, but the 7 Series is different.
BMW’s flagship luxury saloon is meant to blend in and shepherd its passengers from A to B in comfort, elegance, and if required, with haste. Having successfully achieved this since 1977 across six generations in petrol, diesel, and hybrid guises, this generation will likely be the last to see an internal combustion engine and the first to see one of nine new electric models, the i7.
Let's take a closer look at the 2023 7 Series and why it's so important for BMW.
An Introduction To The 2023 BMW 7 Series
Spy shots over the last year have shown what is believed to be both the 2023 7 Series and its and all-electric twin, the i7. These vehicles are heavily disguised, but two things remain patently clear. Firstly, the trademark double kidney grill has once again increased in size. However, it is not thought to have as extensively grown as it has on the current M3 and M4. Thus, maintaining the understated demeanor of the 7 Series.
Interestingly speculative renders have portrayed this front grill as considerably narrower, which leads us on to the second notable design feature, the headlights. Perhaps drawing inspiration from the 7 series’ stablemate the Rolls-Royce Ghost or the original E23 7 Series, they appear to be more rectangular and boxed off and are placed closer to the ground than in recent generations.
Design Speculation For The 2023 7 Series
This may be BMW attempting to rock the design boat once again and attract media attention for innovative and controversial design. But when this chassis is used for such an iconic and significant model like the Ghost, it is hard to see that it will step too far away from conventions.
These design motifs continue through to the rear, with the rectangular taillights indicating a unique design language for this next generation of 7 Series. This is a big deal; BMW vehicles since the turn of the millennium, moved more toward uniformity as was common across many manufacturers. With only the Bangle BMWs breaking from the design consensus across the BMW models that ran through from the E46 3 Series and original X5 to the G30 5 Series.
Over recent years this trend toward more diverse designs within the BMW line-up began with the new F40 1 series and continued with the previously mentioned revised 4 series and M line-up. The 2023 7 Series continues this revolution, committing BMW to this design movement from which we can only hope refreshing designs are to come.
There are no confirmed technical specifications for the 2023 7 Series. However, the BMW engine selection is often very predictable. Expect the most affordable options to be a diesel and a hybrid for the company car buyers producing somewhere in the region of 250 horsepower with more powerful diesel and petrol engines coming at a premium. The brand is moving towards electrification. However, in March, they committed to the continued development of internal combustion engines, so there may be a successor to the adored 750i.
It is understood that BMW will launch an i7 saloon that shares the same body around the same time as the 2023 7 Series as electric test mules have been spotted testing. The i4 differs greatly in design to the 4 Series; the greater parity between the 7 Series and i7 indicates towards the integration of BMW’s electric cars into their series range, a major step in the brand’s history that indicates its intentions of embracing EVs further.
With each generation of new luxury vehicles, it becomes harder to imagine what technology could come next. It’s a reasonable bet to say that the features being introduced on the iX will make their way onto the 7 Series. So this includes the new 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 14.9-inch central display, minimalistic switch-gear, and the new generation of idrive controls.
Final Thoughts On The 2023 BMW 7 Series
When it comes to BMW interiors, it is best to think of them as iterations on a previous formula with a proven track record. When it comes to the 7 Series, the interior won’t make major headlines. But perhaps the i7 might. If the two have different interiors, electric BMWs have leaned into their futuristic credentials with angular interiors that break from traditional BMW design simplicity.
This generation of 7 Series will more than likely be the last generation of fossil fuel-powered luxury land yachts, a farewell to opulence and excess whilst regulations creep in and remove them from our roads. This generation is vital to how BMW places itself in the next era of transportation, they’ll either flourish as the ultimate driving machine or lose out on success to the likes of Tesla and Polestar. The 7 Series is a big deal to BMW as a brand, their future as a manufacturer, and will usher in the transition away from fossil fuels.