German Car Zone

So, can we expecrt a production hydrogen 7?

didn't bmw say that hydrogen is 30 years away from the mass market ?

Just curious guys... apart from all that crap about I-Drive being too difficult to learn, where there any other issues/problems/criticisms of the E65/6 7ers interior? ...eg: styling was bland, buttons too small, not enough storage compartments, gear changer in the steering column?

If there were any such criticisms, this might give us clues as to what we might find different in the F01's cockpit.

They are going to change the seat controls, that's for sure

Oks, so far we have:

- Seat controls wiill be changed
- Back to a 'normal' shifter instead of column shifter
- Someone said something about the cruise-control being back on the steering wheel
- Interior quality improvement thanks to the RR guys

Anything else that can be seen in these latest pics..or anything else that Eni and/or Scott can tell us about the interior?

The iDrive consla seems to be samaller, more in the X5 and X6 way.

From what I can see by the interior spyshots.

- Driver orientated console
- Finally chrome trim around airvents
- Nav screen set deeper into the console so it looks lower to reduce the height of the second binnacle
- intrustment cluster is a fake. No idea whats behind
- New seat headrests - cominbation of old style and new style on the X5 and 5er and 6er. Looks very nice and comfortable
- Steering wheels very sporty
- Whole interior seems a combination of sport and luxury.

Personally I never had a problem with the interior of the E65. I thought it was well designed ,looked expensive, worked well (as an earlier student of idrive it was totally intuitive to me) but then again I have always been and will continue to be a believer.

Remember the 7er conquered China and still subsequently outsells the competition in this segment over there.

And by the looks of it Mercedes-Benz were very interested as you could see the simularities with the S-Klasse dashboard.

The car I have in South Africa is loaded to the gunwhales with technology including BMW Internet access , And the latest developements in crash safety prevention and developments showcased as ideas with BMW Connected drive.And no everything works , no electrical failure so far , car starts ok nothing malfunctions. I love the sound system it is very clear crisp sound especially in music formats - Jazz and lounge settings are superb.

But while we are talking about technology it is how everything works ie the oily bits so seamlessly and deliver something unexpected which will be the 7er's calling card in the luxury class.

As for as quality interior goes the standard is exceptionally high in the segment and there better be leather everywhere and tons buttons made out of metal in the new 7er. The A8 and S-class are 100% spotless in that category.

For mass consumption, yes, but I don't recall BMW saying that. I remember at the beginning of the E65/66's lifespan reading in BMW Magazine (the official BMW magazine publication) that a "production" version of the Hydrogen 7 would be ready by the "next generation" which translates into the F01/2. I'm sure we'll see something even if it is to remain a concept indefinitely. Hydrogen is something BMW is committed to, at least it appears that way from the outside looking in.