Those Jalopnik guys are perfectly insane. While mulling over what appears to be a lifted 3 Series wagon test mule for the possible F3 crossover, Mark Arnold whips himself into a manic depressive episode as he predicts the auto makers niche filling product strategy will eventually lead us to “driving (or merely riding along) in nondescript blobs,” and ultimately the end of the world. Arnold makes a bit of a leap between nondescript blobs and the end of the world, however, the Apocalypse always makes for a great ending to any story.
Please click the source links below for more photos and speculation of what this test mule could actually be.
BMW F3 Crossover Mule Spied
BimmerPost.com / BMW F3 Crossover Mule Spied
Comments
BabyMilo
May 23, 2008 2:44 PM
what is the point of this car?? they already have the X3 wich only needs an update to be in da competition again... now that the GLK and Q5 are coming
trekkerbin
May 26, 2008 4:54 AM
Maybe this car's concept is to test and hopfully to compete against the Audi's all road A6 or volvo's XC 70 series
opelbauer
May 23, 2008 3:16 PM
It looks like a BMW 3er Touring. Which category is it? Is it a van or a 4X4 Offroad car? No, it's just a fashion car and no more.
autoque
May 23, 2008 4:53 PM
F3=V3? In any case, maybe this'll slot between a traditionnal wagon and an SUV?
alessandro
May 23, 2008 5:04 PM
Dali said once something on common Apolcalyptic fear: "una paura l'azzurro della cretini medi." What a car!
afterace2
May 23, 2008 5:58 PM
i'm sure they will make this, and then they will figure that a 4door-coupe-wagon version of this is also needed.
loki
May 23, 2008 10:20 PM
mein GOTT ! doesn't BMW get it ? how must it be said ?? don't go looking for ever odder types of cars for hypothetical niches, just change the damn design of the things ! do some research, fire that 8-year-old-constipated-Dali that's styling your cars right now, make some phone calls, talk to real designers (you might want to contact Audi) and everything will be great ! your sells will improve simply because people won't be scared to look at your vehicles anymore. and thus, finally, you'll see the stupidity of those plans for a 5-door-offroad-coupe-hybrid-crossover-cabrio that I'm sure you're working on right now.
wjaprep
May 23, 2008 10:28 PM
Ok, so Im assumming this is another R class thing? Ok, (assuming if so) whats wrong with automakers? No one liked the trunk lid on the 7 series, so Mercedes decided to put it on the S class, where no one liked it, So Lexus decided to give it a go. So does Bmw figure since no one like the R class they chould make a version of it, for no one to like?
droobear
May 24, 2008 12:58 AM
notice that euromakers are starting to manufacure minivans. minivans are fantastic for family purposes. make car #2 a small cedan and the family has all the functionality they require.
bmw is NOT likely to make minivans. bmw NEEDS something to compete in this market.
make no mistake the minivan market will flourish and bmw wants in.
Laterzzz
May 24, 2008 11:38 AM
Loki, I think you need to do some research!! From my last reportings, BMW were one of if not THE most profitable motor company in the world!! models are doing something right :)
wisp
May 24, 2008 9:30 PM
Loki certainly needs glasses to look thru. You can slate BMW for every design and sales broer coz time and again they have proved themselves. Who created the X5 niche? BMW, who created the X6 niche BMW (even though i feel Lexus have car in this segment already. Didn't the world criticise the 7 series design cues? yes they did and alot of car makers Merc - S Class (i drive, boot, dash board), A8 (i drive) and others copied the 7 series. So who has the last laugh and who is regarded as the best Medium exec car maker in the world? Yes it's BMW. However they do need to take a close look at the designs. I think the clean design cuts on the E46 should be relloked at and improved on. This flame design is such a burn out - not good at all.
loki
May 25, 2008 12:30 AM
I'm not saying that discovering new market niches isn't a good thing de facto. but how about making "useful" cars ? what's the point of SUV's like the X3, X5 or X6 ?? (I could give more examples, but you get the point) they're basically "offroaders for the road". that's a complete and idiotic paradox.. also, Laterzzz, I never said either that BMW isn't profitable, I know they are. but like all companies, they try relentlessly to maximize their profits. for now they do that by creating new, odd-type vehicles. I was suggesting that a better way to do it would be to scrap their actual design style and give their cars a proper look for a marque that promotes "driving pleasure"... and I never said BMW doesn't make good cars. they do ! they have great dynamics, beautiful engines, they're fun to drive and (with few exceptions) are of very good quality. I'm just saying that it's damn sad that they waste all of those things with such an ugly/awkward styling. they should do better !
DoctorGT
May 25, 2008 5:41 AM
I think Chris Bangle's designs will be alright in the near future. He's just experimenting with new looks.Within a few years, his designs are sure to mature(as in the all-new 7 series).
michelin901
May 25, 2008 5:58 AM
hope its not another pointless vehicle like the x6 ( which i think is a big mistake )
car_fan_519
May 27, 2008 4:43 PM
bmw profits continue to soar. X6 is SOLD OUT. People are going to hate it when an X6 pulls up behind them and is staring them in their rearview mirror with the evil look.
DSC_OFF
May 27, 2008 7:45 PM
Isn't it about time for an all new X3? I don't know why it seems so hard for everyone to figure this stuff out. Sure a V3 or F3 sounds exiting, but I'm thinking X3.
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