2009 BMW 7 Series, whose official pictures and stats were revealed to the public almost three weeks ago, could have gone a different way. That way would have seen it take on a more CS Concept look than it eventually did. These sketches reveal a look that is very closely sculptured on the CS, thus revealing that BMW’s next design direction may have been publicly displayed by the CS, but it has its roots also in the new 7. The sketches are probably from the year 2003.
One thing to be remembered about car design, especially for a major brand like BMW, is that initial model sketches are sourced from pretty much every designer who works for that brand several years before launch, and the company’s board of directors eventually approves one which will be used to base a particular vehicle on. Therefore these drawings we see now are the winning choices so to speak. Makes one wonder what all the “losing” ones look like...
Radical BMW 7 Series Sketches Revealed
2009 BMW 7 Series F01 sketch
These Pics Fell by the Wayside
By Thami Masemola
July 25, 2008 1:00 AM
Filed Under: Artist Renderings, BMW, German
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Comments
motorjedi
July 25, 2008 3:14 AM
2003? That IS the new 7 series in the drawings. It looks more like the new 7 (albeit with thinner C pillars) than it does the Concept CS. Those aren't from 2003 - more like 3 months ago.
Turkle
July 25, 2008 8:19 AM
Mr Mogo... take some slow, deep breaths. By the way, Honda owns Acura, not Lexus or Infiniti. I will agree that Lexus' vehicles have certain european design elements worked into their design. It is not BMW that they "copy", but M-B. BMW has been setting the benchmark for years and pulling in trumpeting, hot-at-the-collar, blow bags like you for just as long. I will stick with my more neutral, relaxed, and classic Lexus design. My heart and blood pressure prefer it.
SalimAl-Abri
July 25, 2008 9:42 AM
MrMojo, we can't buy that 'cause if BMW discoverd that LEXSUS designed the LS on their sketches the company would'nt have carried on with the same sketches!! What's the point of producing a copy of a design that has already been there for over ayear? Fact is that BMW became a poor company in design so it sought anything that would be accepted by consumers, and LEXUS designs are very well accepted albeit thier blandness and emitation
michelin901
July 25, 2008 1:41 PM
ur very wrong my friend. do u really think the controversial design of the outgoing 7 and 5 were done to satisfy customers?? (which they did in a big way and poor design? u must be an audi fan. its very much true these marques design their cars well in advance and they dont really have to worry about lexus or other ppl. these are gonna sell no matter what. im guessing you are from the middle east? isnt the 7series the most popular luxury car there?
GranTurismo
July 25, 2008 2:58 PM
7 series is the best seller in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, closely followed by S-Class. The A8 is'nt that common, but the R8 is. And there are lots of 5 series too.
DACARI.net
July 25, 2008 11:22 AM
Nice but U rarely see design sketches translate into what the production vehicle will look like...its always watered down to some degeree look the jaguar xf is a perfect example...so this is to be expected.... but the best luxury cars Ive seen are on display are at dacari.net anyway..
122
July 25, 2008 12:27 PM
Dude.. The Jaguar XF concept was 95% accurate to the production model. Only the headlights and the increased height of the cabin were altered to accomodate for better comfort and usability.
asif
July 25, 2008 11:52 AM
Infiniti copies BMW? really? plus Lexus is more similar to Merc than BMW in design terms, however both the Japanese marques have forged ahead to some degree with their OWN design language. i think if mr mojo's father would have a different opinion if he had worked within Infiniti or Lexus design studios, instead of the "cry wolf" attitude that he has. dont get me wrong, i like BMW but there are better looking cars out there than their own. oh and for the record ALL car companies design years in advance sir its not a BMW thing! jeez give me a break!
odysseus
July 25, 2008 1:09 PM
where the hell are the "radical sketches"? i only see the sketches from 2006! if you are not happy with the new 7 series, you don't have to buy it - there are a lot of alternatives! and last but not least: the designers began in 2004 to work at the new 7 series - and not in 2003!
v6s_stink
July 25, 2008 4:28 PM
Is it from 2003 or 2008? With the stagnation of BMW design, the only sure way to know is to use carbon dating. Seeing a new BMW concept or sketch is like watching the movie "Groundhog Day".
BMW-Mercedes
July 25, 2008 8:38 PM
The all-new BMW 7-Series is going to be beauteous. The Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7 Series are far beyond the MONOTONOUS Audi A8. In South Africa, the S-Class reigns by far, then the 7 and then A8.
DSC_OFF
July 25, 2008 10:13 PM
Exactly! Take those sketches, and then build a "real" car from them, and what you have is the new seven. You can draw anything, but by the time it makes it to production, it's ALWAYS toned down.
SalimAl-Abri
July 26, 2008 10:25 AM
I'm no AUDI fan Mr. michelin901, but I'm AUDI admirer and in my opinion they're currently the best lookers especially the A8. I'm a BMW fan and owner of a 740IL (1997) & 535i (1989)and very proud. I tried to love the 2002 7-series looks and failed so refrained from replacing my older model which still looks striking and sporty after all those years. In the Middle East the most popular is the S-Class not the 7-series.After all, BMW's still has that magic dynamics which make them sell..
PotatoEater
July 27, 2008 10:11 AM
My chauffeur, who drives an audi to work, has to fetch me around in my merc and usually, I tow a BMW for extra storage space. Blah blah blah...
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