^ weight will not be more than E60. More like less

Plus, remember how the 7er became just that much moe sleeker when the camo was removed. That camo does a very good job IMO. Car does look bigger then the current model. Looks about the same as the new E Class as you would expect...

Exactly. A tad longer yet lighter! With more power & standard features.

Mind the car is not much longer than the current car yet the wheelbase was extended a bit: meaning the overhangs are shorter. As well the coupe-like roof line gives you an impression the car is much lower & longer.

As said many times before:

The Ver. 2.0 BMW design by Bangle is all about proportions. Proportions, proportions, proportions ... and again: proportions. Styling is not much important - it's "just" evolved flame-surfacing: simple yet sharp lines. Convex / concave surfaces - extensive play of light. Otherwise shark-fin antenna is still there, so are the eyebrows, etc. No more fuzzy detailing - this time everything is more "zen".

All the major work is done by proportions - achieving elegance, dynamism, aggression, sovereignty, classiness, sportiness etc with great proportions alone. Styling details only enhance the character of the particular model.

This time the engineers did much better homework: giving the designers the platform with almost perfect proportions.

I'm sure we are about to see some most beautiful BMW designs (proportion wise) in this generation ... CS & F01 7er showcase that.

Thanks for that info. To make the car lighter and yet fit it with more standard features is not an easy task. One or the other is manageable, but both? I guess they are working overtime over at the BMW weight savings department.

It's possible with the use of lighter materials which I suspect is what BMW are planning on using. Just look at the 1er coupe. It's much smaller than the E92 but yet only weigh a few kilos less.

It'time! Thanksfully, E65 will not be too long to be forgotten. THe same with E60!

That leaves plenty of room for a light weight version, that will never come into production, of the 1-series!

It's all about money! Lightweight materials (composite alloys, aluminum, magnesium, CF, composite reinforced plastics, thin multilayer steel etc) are not that cheap today. So expect their usage to be more extensive in the high-end larger models (> 5er).

As said many times: the companies (incl eg. Kia) have the knowledge to develop some great light, powerful, spacious, efficient cars - but the problem are R&D and production budgets: such cars would not be profitable enough ... unless wearing a price tag eg. 50% higher than usual. But at that price not enough people would buy it.

So, what then? Is the new 5-series going to become lighter by magic? Or is maybe the secret solution a much more expensive 5-series than today?

The new 7er is lighter than E65, so I have hope.