BMW to rival Mercedes with lighter 7-Series

BMW will battle Mercedes-Benz' new S-Class with a lighter and more advanced version of its 7-Series flagship sedan.

Set to debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW's all-new, next-generation 7-Series will ride on a new platform constructed of steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. In fact, BMW will tap its new i vehicle program to make certain load-bearing elements of the new 7-Series out of carbon fiber.

As a result of those lightweight materials, the 2016 7-Series could tip the scales at just 3,680 pounds, or less than a current 5-Series.

Despite that aggressive weight target, the next-generation 7-Series will have roughly the same dimensions as today's model.

Power for the new 7, internally known as G11, will be provided by a range of six-, eight- and twelve-cylinder engines. A turbo diesel six will also be offered, and a plug-in hybrid variant is said to be in the works as well.

According to Autocar, the next 7-Series range will also include a 760 xDrive M Performance model intended to take on the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG. It will use a version of BMW's 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8.

Look for BMW's 2016 7-Series to hit the market sometime in late 2015.