SCOOP: Early Prototype of 2013 BMW 7-Series Facelift

With the fifth-generation of the BMW 7-Series limousine codenamed F01 entering its third year in production, it’s time for the Bavarian company to begin readying a mid-life facelift for its flagship model.

Our spies snagged a lightly camouflaged prototype of the 7-Series bearing the ActiveHybrid 7 badges while testing in Germany. Judging by the parts of the car hidden under masking tape, there should be some minor styling changes to the front and rear bumpers as well as to the headlamps and tail light graphics.

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BMW Crafts Special 760Li Individual Limos for The Charles Hotel in Munich

The guests at The Charles Hotel in Munich, Germany, can now savor the services of BMW’s finest as the Bavarian carmaker has just handed over to the hotel the keys to a pair of special limousines based on the flagship 760Li, which come equipped with a twin-turbocharged V12 engine churning out 544-horsepower. Read more »

Alpina B7: First Photo of Bi-Turbocharged BMW 7-Series

The first official picture of the all-new Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo has made its way into the internet prior to the sport saloon's world premiere in Geneva next week. Alpina's latest proposal is based on the new 7-Series and it uses a modified version of BMW's factory 4.4-liter twin-turbochargedV87 engine developed to produce 507-horsepower and 700Nm of torque.

The result is a zero to 100 km/h (62mph) acceleration time of 4,7 seconds while the car's top speed is electronically limited to 280 km/h or 174mph. Alpina has not issued any details yet, but we gather that the B7 Bi-Turbo will also feature upgrades to the suspension and braking system.

Visually, the B7 has been enhanced with Alpina's signature front lip spoiler, a boot spoiler and a set of multispoke alloy wheels.

Via: Autoblog.it

Fan Comes up with BMW M7 Rendering, Bavarians' Still not Interested

In yet another case of 'too-much-time-itis', a reader of our Dutch friends at Autblog.nl has come up with a new fantasy rendering of the BMW M7 - a car that has never been confirmed, and most probably never will. Using a blacked out 7-Series as a base, the artist photoshoped an "M" style bumper, lowered the car a few inches and added a set of... Brabus alloy wheels. Even though the German saloon looks pretty menacing here, we reckon that if BMW ever decided to build an M7, it would look far more aggressive than this proposal.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Autojunk.nl

All-Important BMW 730Ld Goes on Sale in the UK

We're guessing that you're wondering what's so special about the long-wheelbase diesel version of BMW's new 7-Series. Well, consider this; according to the Bavarian automaker, the 730d and the 730Ld are predicted to account for a whopping 85 percent of all 7-Series sales in the UK during a full year. The 730Ld is priced in the UK from £56,790 (OTR), or £3,060 more than the standard wheelbase 730d.

Aside from offering an additional 14cm (5.5-in) of legroom for rear seat passengers, the 'L' variant also gets a self-leveling rear suspension, chrome rain channels in the roof, illuminated interior rear vanity mirrors and an electrically-powered sunblind for the rear window.

Optionally, the long-wheelbase specification can be enhanced with multi-adjustable Comfort Seats for both front and rear seat passengers, complemented by individually heated and air-conditioned seats that can also be fitted, in the rear, with a massaging capability.

Like the 730d, the new BMW 730Ld is powered by an all-aluminum 3.0-liter straight-six cylinder diesel engine that produces 245HP at 4,000rpm and a peak torque figure of 540Nm from 1,750rpm through to 3,000rpm. This results in a 0 to 62mph time of 7.3 seconds and a 153mph top speed while achieving a combined consumption figure of 38.7mpg UK (7.3 lt / 100km or 32.2mpg US).

Insider: BMW Alpina B7 gets 507HP Twin-Turbo V8, Debut Set for Geneva

Carscoop's insiders have learnt that the all-new Alpina B7, a souped-up version of BMW's latest generation 7-Series sedan, will make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Furthermore, we also managed to find out that the 2009 Alpina B7 will use a modified version of BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering around 507HP, or 7HP more than the previous B7 that was fitted with a supercharged 4.4-liter V8. While Alpina has yet to release any official details or pictures, a teaser sketch of the new B7 was leaked into the internet in December 2008, giving us a first glimpse of the sport sedan.

Spy Shots: Could this be a BMW M7 Prototype?

True, BMW officials have said many times in the past that they will not produce an M version of the 7-Sereis. But then again, that's what they said about the X5 and X6 Ms, both of which were recently confirmed through a set of official videos. These spy shots -courtesy of Motor Tips- of a lightly masked 7-Series that hints towards an M variant were scooped in about 100km west of BMW's headquarters in Munich, Germany. Noticeable features of the prototype model include the larger black alloys wrapped in low profile tires, and the visible quad exhaust outlets with the trapezoidal tips. Of course, it could just be some sort of M Sport package that BMW is readying for the new 7-Series. Guess we'll have to wait for an official confirmation from BMW to be certain.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: Motor Tips