BMW 7 Series (G11)

The sixth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW G11 (short-wheelbase version) and BMW G12 (long-wheelbase version) luxury saloons. The G11/G12 generation was produced by BMW from 2015 to 2022, and is often collectively referred to as the G11.

The G11 was unveiled on 10 June 2015 at BMW's headquarters in Munich. An official public reveal took place at the 2015 International Motor Show Germany. This generation of the 7 Series is the first car lineup of BMW to be based on the CLAR platform. The CLAR platform adopts technology first introduced in BMW i models, namely the introduction of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer as structural chassis components. Long-wheelbase cars have the letter "L" in their model name.

As part of BMW's strategy of introducing plug-in hybrid variants for all future car models, the short and long-wheelbase models were available with hybrid powertrains as 740e and 740Le in 2016.

The international launch of the new BMW 7 Series was at the 2015 Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Held in September 2015. The lead exterior designer is Nader Faghihzadeh and Alexey Kezha (facelift).

Production commenced in July 2015 at the Dingolfing manufacturing plant in Germany, with global vehicle sales starting in October 2015.

The G11 and G12, which are the respective codenames for the short and long wheelbase models, are the first passenger BMW vehicles to be based on the modular BMW CLAR (cluster architecture) platform.

The passenger cell of the 7 Series is made of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), tensile steel and aluminium, resulting in a lower curb weight, lower centre of gravity and maintaining a 50/50 axle load distribution. The usage of CFRP allows for weight reduction due to being lighter than steel and aluminium. CFRP also increases structural strength in areas exposed to high steering forces, as it is capable of diverting impact forces to prevent deformations of the material, resulting in higher torsional rigidity. Aluminium has been applied to the doors, boot lid, brake system, wheel hubs and rear suspension arms, further reducing weight and unsprung masses. The G11's body weighs overall 40 kg (88 lb) less than that of its predecessor.

The front features a large signature kidney grille incorporating grille shutters that will only open when an increase of air flow to the engine bay is required, decreasing aerodynamic drag in the process. Along with air openings behind the front wheel arches that reduce turbulence in the wheel housings, the drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.24cd.