i7

Make
BMW
Segment
Sedan

The next-generation BMW 7 Series isn't expected to arrive until 2022, but that also means that the German automaker is well under way with testing its upcoming flagship sedan. Last November we got our first look at the all-new 7 Series, which was spotted being loaded on a trailer. Curiously, it also appeared to be an electric prototype, which is expected to be called the i7. Of course, this won't be the only version of the new BMW 7 Series available.

Our spies have caught another BMW 7 Series prototype out on the road, but this time there's no "Electric Test Vehicle sticker" suggesting that we're looking at the combustion-powered model. Development of the new luxury sedan is clearly still at an early stage since BMW is using test mules of the current 7 Series.

There's some camouflage covering the headlights and taillights, but these are likely to be provisional fake lights that are often used on prototypes and mules. Nevertheless, the next-generation is still likely to feature upgraded lighting technology, but we'll have to wait until BMW starts testing pre-production prototypes to see the design changes.

Previous spy shots have shown the cabin looks identical to the current 7 Series, but the center console was partially covered up in order for BMW to effectively hide the infotainment system, suggesting an update there. Under the hood, the current BMW 7 Series is offered with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 gasoline engine in the 740i model, a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 in the 750i, and a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 in the range-topping M760i.

The latter V12 unit produces 600 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, but reports suggest it could be discontinued in the next-generation 7 Series. Electrified hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the next-generation 7 Series will also be offered.

Now that BMW has started testing test mules on the road, we should start seeing full body prototypes in around six-to-seven months from now. Since BMW is already testing all variants of the 7 Series, there's a chance that all versions of the new luxury sedan will be revealed at the same time or very close to each other.