Edmunds has pics and video of what might be a seriously camouflaged 2009 BMW 7-Series doing hard labor at that Teutonic track we all know and love.
While the car could instead be an engineering mule, Edmunds says we shouldn't be surprised if the next-gen redesign is more evolution than revolution. The internally-designated F01 model gets a slightly longer standard wheelbase, with the F02 model being the L version and going 5.5 inches beyond that. The L might also boast a wider track to maintain a balanced stance. Sales of the car design heard round the world have remained strong, so other than the added length, a new headlight and taillight treatment could be the most significant changes made. The prototype does have a nice set of twin pipes poking out of a deep valance at the rear, which would be a nice touch if they made it to production (and would save many buyers out here on the West Coast from having to get it done at the tuner's). The big news is the possibility of a hybrid power source or perhaps a US-approved diesel.
Even if the car isn't the new 2009, the video is worth checking out. The driver is either someone called Smokin' Jonas, or perhaps it's the BMW Formula 1 team's third driver, Sebastian Vettel, being gifted some wheel time he isn't getting in Friday practice sessions. The question is, do we still call it a "drift" in a 7 Series -- or is that "avalanche"?
[Source: Edmunds]
