Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia
An AMG So Secret We Can't Name It
The car spotted at the Nürburgring race track in Germany is one of those rare cases where we have to admit: we don't know exactly what we're looking at. What is clear is that it's an AMG-powered Mercedes-Benz two-door coupe, but that's about all we can say with certainty. The rest is pure speculation.
The mystery AMG could, of course, be a GT3 race car. However, it's highly unusual––for Mercedes-AMG or any other manufacturer––to publicly test an all-new model first as a GT3 variant, or even as a full race car, which is what this appears to be. For those who think it might be a GT3 version of the current GT, take a closer look at the much longer hood, the completely different doors and the rear end. This is not a car based on the current Mercedes-AMG GT.
The black, white and yellow machine could also be a still-secret one-off, similar to how the AMG One debuted a few years ago. However, that was a road-legal hypercar with at least some level of practicality, something this prototype clearly lacks. Just imagine climbing out of this one in shorts without burning your legs.
The license plate doesn't offer many clues either. It's a red German plate used for short-distance driving of unregistered vehicles, either because they are not road-legal or not yet registered. For now, there's little more to go on, and we'll likely have to wait for additional information to surface.
Same, Same but Different: The Facelifted BMW 7 Series
BMW is moving ahead with a major facelift of its flagship 7 Series, and these latest spy shots suggest the controversial design of the current generation is here to stay. After previewing the update with a shadowy teaser, new images from the Nürburgring in Germany offer a clearer look at what's coming.
Despite widespread criticism, BMW appears committed to its bold styling. The facelifted model retains the split headlight layout, though with vertically mounted headlamps rather than today's horizontal configuration, along with the imposing illuminated kidney grille that defines the current 7 Series.
Subtle but meaningful revisions are expected. New lighting signatures are visible at both the front and rear, while additional sensors integrated into the front fascia and windshield hint at upgraded driver-assistance systems. Notably absent, however, is an evolution of BMW's Level 3 "Personal Pilot" system. The automaker has reportedly dropped the technology for this update, likely due to its high cost, around $6,500, and limited usability, as it was restricted to low-speed highway driving.
Instead, BMW is shifting its focus to a more practical solution. A new Level 2 system, built on the electronics architecture of the "Neue Klasse," will debut in the updated 7 Series. It promises enhanced convenience features such as hands-free highway driving, eye-activated lane changes and future navigation-based assistance in urban environments, while keeping the driver fully responsible at all times.
Inside, the changes could be more significant. The facelifted sedan is expected to introduce BMW's next-generation infotainment system, iDrive X, alongside the wide-format "Panoramic Vision" head-up display that spans the base of the windshield. Together, these elements signal a shift away from the traditional instrument cluster toward a more immersive, screen-centric interface.
Powertrain updates will focus on efficiency rather than reinvention. Inline six-cylinder engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology are expected to remain the backbone of the lineup, supported by plug-in hybrids. The fully electric BMW i7 is also due for updates, particularly in battery technology, with higher energy-density cells under consideration.
BMW may also use the facelift to expand the range at the top end, with speculation pointing to a revised V8-powered M760 and a new ultra-luxury variant developed under the Alpina name, now fully integrated into the brand.
Production of the updated model is believed to be underway, with a global debut expected in 2026, potentially at IAA Mobility. The current 7 Series (G70), introduced in late 2022, remains one of the most polarizing designs in the segment, and that's unlikely to change anytime soon.
