X7 all the grilles
A few weeks ago, we caught BMW testing an updated 7 Series prototype. It didn’t look drastically different from the current 7 Series, but the front and rear ends had clearly been reworked. Specifically, we noted new taillights, sleeker headlights, and a larger grille. These new spy shots don’t reveal much more, but they do show the updated grille in more detail. And if it wasn’t clear before, that grille is humongous.
The 2019 Toyota Avalon is probably still the king of large grilles, but based on these photos, the 7 Series is set to give it a real run for its money. The X5 prototype we saw back in February wore a slightly different grille, but both appear to be influenced by the awkwardly styled X7 iPerformance concept that BMW showed off at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Look closely at this 7 Series prototype’s headlights, and you can see they have their own X7 influences, as well.
We’ll have to wait to see the final, undisguised version before we give our official verdict, but at least for now, it’s hard to imagine the larger grille improving the flagship sedan’s look. Especially in M760i form, the grille on the current 7 Series looks pretty good. Mercedes has sold nearly three S-Classes for every BMW 7 Series sold so far this year, but we doubt that has anything to do with the BMW’s grille not being big enough. Then again, with the new headlights and reworked fascia, it could end up making the whole car better looking.
As we said before, though, we’ll have to wait and see.
Photo source: CarPix