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Next-gen BMW 7 Series options include 'Sky Lounge' roof, leather engine cover

When it comes to luxury and technology, the theme of the next-generation BMW 7 Series appears to be 'everything, everywhere.' Two of the new options joining what will be an extensive list are the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof, said to be a nod going all the way back to the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo showed off at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. That is clearly about the light, but what about the leather? That's going to cover everything it seems, should the buyer choose. Auto Evolution says it's been told about a 3CM option code, which equates to a Leather Engine Cover. If it's offered, though, it won't be the first time BMW has done it, of a sort: the $10,800 Pure Impulse package on the BMW i8 wraps the engine cover in leather, but in the i8 the engine is in the rear, under the trunk floor, so we're really talking about a leather-floored cargo bay. No one knows yet what it would look like atop a conventional engine, and no one appears to have any clue, frankly, as to why it's even an option. The 7 Series will pack a bunch more besides within its new aluminum and carbon fibre platform and redrawn bodywork, the sedan is reportedly targeting a curb weight that's less than the current 5 Series. There'll be four sculpted seats in the cabin, with rear seats apparently offering the range of options available on the front seats, a redesigned iDrive system with a touchscreen LCD that reads gestures, wireless smartphone charging, Bowers & Wilkins audio instead of Harman Kardon, heads-up data sharing between passenger and driver via swipes, laser headlights and an i8-like key fob with limited self-parking functions. That's a serious goody bag of tech, which we expect to get our hands in at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Featured Gallery BMW 7 Series: Spy Shots View 9 Photos News Source: Auto EvolutionImage Credit: CarPix BMW Technology Luxury Sedan

The List: Best of proving grounds

Proving grounds are where automakers and enthusiasts alike go to push their vehicles to their mechanical limits. The Rubicon Trail, located in the Sierra Nevada, is the ultimate off-road test, while Germany's Nurburgring is a grueling 13 mile road and track course. Jessi and Patrick visit both iconic proving grounds in this "best of" compilation of The List. If you like what you see, stay tuned to watch the full episodes, or click here to go directly to our episode archive and pick out some of your own favorite moments of The List to revisit. The List #0004: Conquer the Rubicon Trail The List #0073: Drive the Nurburgring Have an RSS feed? Click here to add The List. Click here to subscribe to The List in iTunes. Click here to learn more about our hosts, Jessi and Patrick. BMW Jeep Off-Road Vehicles Racing Vehicles The List Videos Original Video

BMW i3 wait list grows to six months

This could make one real expensive decision a little easier to make. The latest official word is that BMW remains undecided if or when it will expand its sub-brand of i plug-in vehicles beyond the i3 and i8, but the i3 city EV has certainly struck a chord in Europe. Citing BMW executive Ian Robertson, Automotive News Europe reports that the German automaker is running a six-month wait list for the i3, which started sales in Europe in November. Bimmer has taken about 11,000 orders globally, and about 1,200 of those are from the US, where the car will debut in May. BMW executive Harald Krueger recently said that the German automaker will hold off on making plans to broaden the i sub-brand until more sales results come in. That said, BMW has trademarked all of the single-digit "i" names from i1 through i9, so should these EVs remain popular, BMW has room to grow. We won't be surprised if we do see more vehicles, since BMW North America chief Ludwig Willisch is already on record as saying the US demand for the i3 will likely exceed supply this year. For a taste of why, check out our first drive here. Featured Gallery 2014 BMW i3 View 107 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req. Green BMW Electric ev sales wait list