A prototype of the 2016 BMW 7-Series was caught on camera undergoing testing in Germany around the Nürburgring.
BMW's highly anticipated flagship model is continuing testing ahead of next year's launch when it will set an "example in terms of weight reduction." Chairman Norbert Reithofer already confirmed the new 7-Series (G11) will boast an "intelligent composite construction" which is going to encompass carbon fiber and aluminum.
Still dressed in a full body camouflage, the upcoming 7-Series will adopt an evolutionary appearance as Reithofer believes it would be wrong for the model to feature a "major design change." Engine details are not available at this point but it is believed BMW is cooking up a range-topping M770i xDrive variant packing a twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter engine with 475 bhp (354 kW) and 650 Nm (480 lb-ft). A plug-in hybrid derivative is also in the works but probably won't be available from day one, while a fully fledged M7 is not being considered.
The next-gen BMW 7-Series will be revealed online sometime next year before going on sale late 2015 / early 2016.
