BMW could launch 9-Series to rival Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

BMW Vision Future Luxury concept

If approved, will be out in 2017

The latest gossip from Bavaria says BMW is contemplating on the idea of introducing a flagship 9-Series sedan.
BMW provided a hint of a more luxurious model sitting on top of the 7-Series back in April this year when they unveiled the Vision Future Luxury concept and at that time the company said it's a car providing "a long-term outlook on the perception of modern luxury for the brand." A decision to put the concept in production has not been taken yet but if green-lighted, the car is going to wear the 9-Series moniker and will be out in 2017.
The model would be longer than the 7-Series long wheelbase and should have an overall length of around 5500mm while its main competitor would obviously be the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. If approved, the BMW 9-Series would get laser headlights and OLED taillights while the concept's interesting B pillars would be replaced with more conventional ones.
According to our friends at BMWBLOG, Harald Krueger (who will take over as BMW CEO starting May) is a fan of the 9-Series so sooner or later there might actually be a new flagship model to compete with Daimler's resurrected Maybach.