2016 BMW 7 Series to launch in Q4 2015 - China
To be accompanied by facelifted BMW 3 Series and new X1 crossover.
To curb weak sales figures generated in the Chinese market, BMW-Brilliance JV is planning to launch a range of facelifted and next generation models by the end of this year. One of the models in the pipeline is the next generation BMW 7 Series (G11/G12).
Unveiled on June 11, the 2016 BMW 7 Series is an evolutionary step up from the outgoing model, with respect to exterior/interior design, standard equipment and a revised range of inline-6 and V8 twin turbo engines. It also brings many “world’s firsts” to the table, such as a self parking system and carbon fiber integration in the body structure for a mass production vehicle.
The next generation BMW 7 Series also gets the latest iDrive 5.0 infotainment system with support for touch and hand gestures. Other new features include the world's largest Head up display, an upgraded instrument display, optional Laserlight headlamps, and SkyLounge panoramic glass roof.
BMW will also be launching the facelifted BMW 3-Series and the next generation X1 crossover, which has been caught on test multiple times. Both models are expected to offer LWB variants and will be manufactured at the JV's plant in Shenyeng.
This move is part of a long-term plan for resurgence in the Chinese luxury car market. BMW's sales growth registered just 2.5 percent in the first six months of 2015, as compared to 23.1 percent in the first half of 2014.
Also Read: 2016 BMW X1 (next generation) spotted testing in China
Market analysts believe that the lack of redesigned models attributed to the sales slump. For instance, the China-spec 7 Series with the same design has been selling in the market since 2009, unlike its rival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which was last overhauled in 2013.
[Source: ET Auto]