With a market that grows larger by the year, China->ke2090 is one of the most important automobile battlefields nowadays, and it's no surprise that the 2014 Beijing Auto Show->ke2062 hosted so many important debuts, including Mercedes' upcoming BMW X6 fighter, the Lexus NX or Lincoln's MKX Concept crossover.

Likewise, BMW->ke178 went to Beijing to showcase an array of vehicles, hoping to gain more leverage over its luxury competitors. But besides introducing already launched cars and a couple of special models, including the 7 Series Horse Edition, the Germans also debuted the Vision Future Luxury concept->ke169, which hints at the manufacturer's next step in regard to large sedans->ke142.

As with most of its concepts->ke169, BMW declined to offer any information as to what to what kind of production model the Vision Future Luxury will spawn, but it makes a lot of sense for us to think about the next-generation 7 Series. Additionally, and based on previous reports, this study is also a forerunner for the upcoming 9 Series -- the BMW-badged executive that will take on the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman.

Click past the jump to learn more about the BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept.

2014 BMW Vision Future Luxury

Specifications
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  • Model: 2014 BMW Vision Future Luxury
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

Although the automaker brags about a new approach on design, we can't help but notice a number of similarities between the Vision Future Luxury and the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe Concept BMW introduced last year at Pebble Beach. Some of these similarities include the same twin kidney grille, which this time goes well down into the bumper, and the nearly identical squinty headlamps that feature the company's new Laserlight technology. The apron, on the other hand, is more angular and lacks the lower grille seen in the Gran Lusso.

Around back, the taillights aren't exactly a revolution compared to the previous concept, although they're no longer tied together between the trunk and the bumper and now feature organic LED technology, which BMW refers to as OLED. The rear bumper also seems taller, due to the fact that the trunklid has lost some of its lower area and the diffuser-like piece has been removed for a clean, smooth look.

On the side, the sills remain largely the same, as do the coupe-like body lines and the trademark Hoffmeister Kink. Of course, the wheelbase is longer now in order to accommodate rear doors, a larger glass area and, consequently, more legroom. A discreet carbon strip in the door sill area reminds us that the next 7 Series is on a severe diet with a chassis expected to include both carbon-fiber and aluminum components.

Also made out of carbon, but less obvious as they were painted along with the body, are the deflectors mounted on the front bumper. These are in place to help improve aerodynamics and help with further weight loss.

Squinty Laserlight Eyes }}

Interior

BMW's revolutionary approach is more present in the cabin, but it's not exactly in sight as the leather and the wood are hiding the carbon-fiber and aluminum layers that provide strength and help cut weight. Moving on to more obvious details, the Vision Future Luxury doesn't stray too far from the familiar BMW driver-focused cabin, but the details are evidently conceptual with the cluster consisting of three inter-meshing displays.

Thus, the dashboard and the center console are nearly button-free, generating an impression of spaciousness that surpasses what we've previously experienced in luxury production cars. To enhance that techy feel everyone is looking for these days, all the functions that can be accessed using this unique cluster of displays can be operated by voice command.

Another cool feature available in the cockpit is a separate information display placed on passenger side of the dashboard, allowing the rider to access data without having to use the more common central display. What's more, BMW says information can be exchanged between driver and front passenger using "swiping movements".

Moving onto the rear seats, the vehicle comes with two displays with carbon surrounds that can communicate with the aforementioned front displays. The device will allow rear passengers to access every feature of the car and gain access to information such as speed and journey time. Additionally, a detachable Touch Command Tablet can be found in the large center console as well.

Comfort and legroom is obviously a given in the Vision Future Luxury concept, which features two, large single seats instead of the usual three-person bench. Leather surfaces, wood inserts and a silk carpet are also available, and the mood is rounded off by warm-glow lightning slats inserted in selected places.

Detachable tablet for rear seat passengers }}

Drivetrain

BMW didn't provide any sort of drivetrain details, but we're not exactly surprised, as the focus of this concept car lies in other aspects. If there really is a working engine under the hood, our guess is that BMW went with the same 6.0-liter, V-12 mill fitted in the Gran Lusso concept. As a quick refresh, the said unit is rated at 544 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, which would be enough considering the next 7 Series is supposed to be much lighter than the current model. The TwinPower Turbo, 4.4-liter V-8 is another possible options, as it is more fuel efficient and has lower CO2 emissions than the massive V-12.

The eight-speed automatic transmission would be the natural choice for the U.S. market.

Just a Concept or a Glimpse into the Future?

Filing this concept under the latter category is a must, despite the fact that we won't get all those fancy interior features and technologies or the sleek exterior design. Of course, the next 7 Series and the all-new 9 Series will be like no other BMW, with an unprecedented amount of technology and new styling up for grabs, but don't expect anything this radical to come out of Munich.

Competition

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz->ke187 S-Class, the 7 Series' traditional rival in Europe and the United States, received a major makeover for the 2014 model year. Now sporting a more aggressive stance, like with most sedans nowadays, the new S-Class gained a larger front grille and new headlamps that comprise no less than 56 LED lights.

Although it kept the vehicle's overall classic shape, Mercedes made some new adjustments toward the rear for a coupe-like presence, which is exactly what BMW appears to be looking for the next 7 Series based on what we've seen today. The interior was also improved, becoming slightly more comfortable via extra headroom, with even more luxury and convenience features added.

Priced from $92,900, the 2014 S-Class is currently available in two guises in the U.S. The S550 is offered with a biturbo 4.7-liter V-8 that delivers 449 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque that enable the sedan to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds. Then there's the almighty S63 AMG 4MATIC that comes with a heftier, $139,500 tag, but with a larger, biturbo, 5.5-liter, V-8 unit under the hood. The mill delivers 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, which translates into a 0-to-60 acceleration time of only 3.9 seconds.

Audi A8

Audi conservative luxury sedans remain... well, conservative for the 2015 model year, in spite of its reworked front and rear fascias for a more crisper look. The facelift also brought the brand-new Matrix LED headlamps to the model, which we'd dare say it's the most important change on the outside.

The interior is more of a carryover than new, but Audi->ke14's efforts in freshening up the offer is worth mentioning. At least for the high-grade leather and the suede and Alcantara inserts that can be ordered for an array of surfaces.

Two engines are offered on the regular wheelbase A8 in the form of the supercharged, 3.0-liter, TFSI V-6 and the twin-turbo, 4.0-liter, TFSI V-8. Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic, but the former pumps 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, while the latter delivers 435 horsepower and 444 pound-feet of torque. Pricing starts at $75,100.

Moving up the A8 ladder into $78,800+ sticker territory, we have the A8 L, which comes with a slightly longer wheelbase and the 3.0-liter diesel (258 horsepower, 406 pound-feet of torque) aside the aforementioned gasoline units. Then there's the A8 L W-12, powered by a 6.3-liter, W-12 engine with 500 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque at its disposal for a 0-to-60-mph sprint of 4.4 seconds. This one's anything but cheap at $135,900.

Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman

The Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman is not yet available, but it will arrive way before the 9 Series, as it is scheduled to break cover for the 2016 model year. Developed to serve as a replacement for the defunct Maybach 57, the S-Class Pullman is based on the new-generation S-Class and rides on an extra-long wheelbase.

The limousine is expected to be up to 12 inches longer than the regular S-Class and although it will look similar to the standard sedan on the outside, it will carry extra luxury and convenience features inside. The rear compartment will offer comfortable seating for four people, with access granted via a pair of long rear doors.

Power is likely to be provided by a twin-turbocharged, 5.5-liter, V-12 engine rated at about 600 horsepower, but a plug-in hybrid version might be offered as well. Pricing is still a mystery, but the S-Class Pullman is rumored to cost at least $270,000 and go well into $300,000 territory. Despite costing almost three time a well-equipped, standard S-Class, the Pullman will still be cheaper than the Maybach 57.

Conclusion

The most impressive feature of this concept is its interior. It has a simple, yet elegant design and it comes with all the amenities required by the unforgiving luxury segment. On the other hand, the exterior design is arguable, mostly because BMW is trying to blend sharp lines and more rounded shapes maybe a bit too hard. But beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder and some of you might find it brilliant and exquisite.

All told, the Vision Future Luxury is and will remain a concept, although it's a welcomed glimpse into the future. All we have to do is wait and see the way BMW chooses to materialize this study into at least two production models.