Wednesday 9th April 2014

BMW 9 Series concept for Beijing?

For when a 7 Series just isn't luxurious enough

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They’ll run out of numbers soon! According to Automotive News Europe, the single-digit BMW range line-up will be complete soon with a 9 Series luxobarge.

Gran Lusso and Concept CS hinted at super 7

But before we scoff, there is logic to the move. Kind of. With the Maybach discontinued, Mercedes is pushing the S-Class further upmarket to occupy that space left behind (the space where nobody was buying big Mercs, but it won’t be deterred) so BMW has to make an equivalent. The 9 Series will be a super luxurious 7 essentially.

The 9 is expected to arrive with the new 7 Series in 2016. A new platform called G11 will underpin both models as well as future Rolls-Royce cars too. Much lighter than the current platform, G11 could take the 7 Series down to the weight of today’s 5.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time BMW has attempted an uber 7 Series. The E38 version featured an L7 variant at a whopping 5.4m in length and the veritable kitchen sink of equipment. But hopefully this 9 Series will be little more stylish than just an elongated 7. BMW has previewed luxury four-doors previously with the beautiful CS Concept of 2007 and last year’s Gran Lusso coupe. China of course still loves big saloons too, meaning a 9 Series preview in Beijing would probably make commercial sense. As and when it’s confirmed, we’ll keep you updated.

[Source: Automotive News Europe]

[FourWheelDrift]

Looks a bit tight on rear headroom for a big BMW.

[rohrl]

FourWheelDrift said:

Looks a bit tight on rear headroom for a big BMW.

You'll need to hold on for the 9-series GT or the X9 then.

Personally I'm waiting for the X11M GT Touring.

[aspirated]

Credit to BMW, if it means they can make more RWD turbo cars then I'm all for it


I think it looks good

[Phateuk]

rohrl said:

FourWheelDrift said:

Looks a bit tight on rear headroom for a big BMW.

You'll need to hold on for the 9-series GT or the X9 then.

Personally I'm waiting for the X11M GT Touring.

[toohuge]

The L7 was awesome, I always wanted on of those!

Chris

[Type R Tom]

How many different models to BMW now have either planned or in production? I’ve completely lost count. Multiply that by the number of different engines and it gets to a ridiculously high number.

Can’t think of another company with so much choice, I’m not a huge fan of BMW but you’ve got to admire them.

So can someone list them all?!?!

[El comandante]

rohrl said:

You'll need to hold on for the 9-series GT or the X9 then.

Personally I'm waiting for the X11M GT Touring.

Awesome joke)))))) ROFL))))
But, it is a laughter with tears in the eyes - what has happened to the company, focused on the thrill of driving?

[Mermaid]

El comandante said:

what has happened to the company, focused on the thrill of driving?

Profit 1st, and why not provided they also produce driver focused cars. If not, am sure Audi, MB, Porsche, Nissan, Kia will fill that gap

[sparks_E39]

It's rather good looking. I don't quite get it, but I like it.

[nm121]

Why not. The niche already exists - though buyers of cars of this size and spec are probably looking at Rolls or Bentley. BMW don't have the same brand image. This is like what Ford are doing with the Mondeo Vignale - sort of!

[AranM7]

Have to say I am a fan!
The whole body shape has a hint of Aston Martin Rapide, and it reminds me of the new S-class coupe which I'm guessing will be a key competitor, looks kinda classy... Nice to see BMW introduce something that looks a bit different to the rest of the lineup too! However, the numbers won't be completely used up without an 8 series

[British Beef]

F#ck Me!
Another week, another sodding German tank announced, this time 6m long and weighing in at 3tons, over to you Merc / Audi, trump that...

Soon every motorway in Britain will have a BMW named after it!!

[JamesHoldsworth]

El comandante said:

Awesome joke)))))) ROFL))))
But, it is a laughter with tears in the eyes - what has happened to the company, focused on the thrill of driving?

They same way as Porsche and Renault, the other standouts from the noughties in diver focused machinery, towards whats sells and makes a profit.

[dc2rr07]

Thought it was April 1st all over again

[WokkaWokka]

Phateuk said:

rohrl said:

FourWheelDrift said:

Looks a bit tight on rear headroom for a big BMW.

You'll need to hold on for the 9-series GT or the X9 then.

Personally I'm waiting for the X11M GT Touring.

Second that. Be careful I had a BMW owner (Of which I have been several times) called me a fkwit for not liking the X7.

[TommyBuoy]

rohrl said:

FourWheelDrift said:

Looks a bit tight on rear headroom for a big BMW.

You'll need to hold on for the 9-series GT or the X9 then.

Personally I'm waiting for the X11M GT Touring.

Great, but can I get that in a 2 door please?

[Vladimir]

TommyBuoy said:

Great, but can I get that in a 2 door please?

Yep; the new 8 series...

[SprintSpeciale]

Will the people who could afford this pay for something with a BMW badge on it? Or at that price will they not want something a bit more exclusive?

[kambites]

SprintSpeciale said:

Will the people who could afford this pay for something with a BMW badge on it? Or at that price will they not want something a bit more exclusive?

Sounds like it's really just an extra-long wheelbase 7-series, so the development costs probably wont be huge. I doubt they'll need to sell a huge number to make a profit on it.

[Triumph Man]

SprintSpeciale said:

Will the people who could afford this pay for something with a BMW badge on it? Or at that price will they not want something a bit more exclusive?

Good point, but it's funny to think that at this price point the BMW badge might struggle!