We have made it very clear that we would like to have a BMW 8 Series to slot above the 7 Series in BMW's lineup. Now BMW executives have hinted that a new product could sit above the flagship 7 Series. Could this new model be the rumored 8, or even 9 Series? The more likely plan is a car that is even more luxurious than the current 7 Series. BMW would like to have something to slot between the 7 Series and the much more expensive Rolls Royce Ghost. This new model would cost around $170,000 according to BMW development chief Klaus Froehlich.

BMW wants to make sure that it isn't just building a stretched 7 Series, but rather, a whole new model. In an interview with Automotive News, Froehlich explained that "some [manufacturers] simply do 4 or 5 wheelbases [in length] and add varyingly thick chrome packages." He added that "that will not be the BMW approach." The new model could compete with the Mercedes Maybach and help bridge the gap between the BMW and Rolls Royce ranges. In our opinion, it almost makes more sense to build a less expensive Rolls Royce rather than a more expensive BMW, but that would probably dilute the Rolls Royce brand. Either way, the BMW lineup has come a long way since it was just the 3, 5, and 7 Series.