After leaking images and specs on the redesigned 2009 7-Series late last week, BMW has just released the video above to show the new 7-Series in action. The video is lacking in excitement, but if you’re a fan of BMW’s flagship sled, you’ll want to take a look. In our opinion the stock model looks bland, but the car’s got good potential for customization. What do you think?
After a series of teaser images, BMW has finally released pictures of its redesigned 2009 7-Series, which the company is expected to debut at Paris Auto Show in October. The fifth-generation 7-Series is 3.3 inches longer, lower, and features more more subtle design cues than the current fourth-generation model. Notable design changes include a toned-down front end with a double-kidney grille, as well as droopy taillights in the re-designed rear end.
At this point, BMW plans to initially offer only one engine option to U.S. customers, a 400-hp twin-turbocharged V8. The 400-hp engine reportedly propels the car from 0-60 mph in under 5.2 seconds, and allows the 2009 7-series to hit a top speed of 155. Two European engine options will be available upon launch, a 326-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter gasoline and 245-hp 3.0-liter diesel version. Other engine options for the U.S. and Europe are surely in the works, and BMW is almost guaranteed to drop a hybrid version of the updated 7-series in the near future.
Inside the car, the 2009 7-Series is receiving a second-generation iDrive system that can be used to gain access to the car’s on-demand Internet function. Driver-assist systems on the car include active cruise control with a new stop-and-go capability, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, head-up display, night vision with pedestrian detection and sideview and reversing cameras.
Expect to see the new 7-Series hit the states sometime around March.
BMW’s latest concept car is a lot more baller than its name suggests. With itsGINALight Visionary Model, BMW has draped flexible polyurethane-coated Lycra fabric over a moveable wire mesh frame, creating an exterior that transforms at the command of the driver. The tail raises, the fenders bulge, the sides morph, and the hood opens up from the center to reveal the engine. The light body is more energy-efficient to produce than a similar-sized Bimmer, and the reduced weight increases the car’s fuel efficiency, making the GINA semi-green. Despite its cloth exterior, the GINA’s solid space frame keeps provides the same level of safety you’d find in a standard car of its size.
While BMW has no plans to bring the GINA into production, the company does hope to incorporate some of the concept’s design features into its future production cars. Meanwhile, you can view the GINA concept in person at the BMW museum in Munich.
Suspension specialist H&R has released a new aluminum sports spring set for the BMW X6 designed to drop the SUV by 35 mm to give it better handling capabilities and lower stance. According to ZerCustoms, “the H&R BMW X6 springs work well with the Dynamic Performance Control and the X-Drive all-wheel drive system without reducing the comfort too much.” H&R, based out of Washington State, has earned a reputation in the industry as a premium manufacturer of sport suspension systems for high performance cars.
We’ve seen some pretty pimped out cars coming out of Eastern Europe lately, like the ridiculous Ukranian limo and Moscow’s six-wheel Hummer. But this completely customized BMW 6-Series spotted somewhere in Lithuania is our favorite to date. Nearly every inch on the coupe has been modified, with noteworthy additions to the headlights, trunk, exhaust, and the interior. As you’ll see in the video and thumb 5 after the jump, the car features a soft suede interior that gives the car an extra element of luxury. The pimped 6-Series sits on 26″ alloys wrapped in 305/30 tires. And the license plate reads “666666″ matching the devilish red paint job and the wicked body enhancements. While we’d like to report on what’s under the hood, details on this custom 6-Series are largely unknown. So, if you’re the owner of this crazy Lithuanian whip or you have more info, let us know what she’s packing.
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