最新的谍照揭示了宝马7系改款车（宝马内部称这次改款为“LifeCycleImpulse（生命周期内的革新）”。这些改款意味着新的车鼻和改款后的尾部。目前，改款幅度最大的是车头部分，7系采用了更大格栅和更窄前大灯，其设计类似即将发布的X7SUV。前脸底部更大的进气口让这辆行政级轿车具备了更具侵略性的外观。车尾略微改款，采用了曲棍球棒形状的LED尾灯组。虽然这次没有拍到内装，但早期的照片显示，内部采用重新设计的数字仪表群，内饰材质略微升级。另外，该车很可能配备了升级后的驾驶员辅助技术，可能具备先进的半自动驾驶能力。目前还不清楚该车动力系统细节，但其升级确实正在进行中。欧洲实行新的车辆测试程序，这意味着宝马需要改进7系的燃油引擎以便能满足新的规定，该规定还有一年就将实施。该车动力总成需要改进排气系统，安装奥托颗粒过滤器。目前还不清楚这种调整对动力系统输出功率究竟会造成什么影响，但据传某些引擎的功率将获得提升。宝马将于年底前发布7系升级版，随后该车将于明年3月投产，欧洲消费者很可能会在明年春季就能购买这款车。而该车将作为2020款车型于明年下半年在北美上市。
Refreshed BMW 7 Series Spied Cruising, Shows Off Bigger Grille
New spy shots reveal the latest development of the refreshed BMW 7 Series – or Life Cycle Impulse as BMW prefers to call to these facelifts. The changes mean a fresh nose and tweaked rump for the big sedan.
By far the biggest overhaul is at the front, where the 7 Series gains a larger grille and narrow headlights that evoke the upcoming X7 SUV. Larger intakes in the lower fascia give the executive transporter a more aggressive appearance, too. The tail gains a slightly different look for the hockey-stick-shaped LED taillights. While these photos don't reveal the cabin, earlier pictures provide a great view of the interior. Drivers get a redesigned digital instrument cluster, and there are minor updates to the trim and materials. There's also likely improved driver assistance technology for more advanced semi-autonomous capability.
Updated powertrain details aren't yet known, but there are definitely changes on the way. Europe's new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure means that BMW's engineers need to tweak the 7 Series' gas-fueled engines to make them comply with the new regulations – a process that could take about a year. Among the development team's tasks, the powertrain requires revising the exhaust to fit an Otto Particulate Filter. How these adjustments might affect the powerplants' output isn't yet known, but a rumor suggests horsepower could actually increase for some of the mills.
BMW will reportedly unveil the updated 7 Series before the end of the year. Production will begin in March 2019, so wealthy buyers in Europe will likely be able to get the new sedan early next spring. Sales in North America reportedly commence for the 2020 model year, suggesting a start of sales in the latter half of 2019.