BMW PAS Latest Spy Photos

by Brian Potter
August 4, 2008 5:32 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German, Spy Photos

Once again spy photographers have stumbled across the new 5-series-based BMW Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), also known as V-Series or RFK, in the American desert and showing frameless doors for the first time.

In its early stages of development BMW's PAS was falsely pegged as Munich’s answer to the Mercedes R class, much in the same way the X6 was falsely pegged as a Mercedes CLS competitor. But now, these spy-shots of the PAS clearly show it’s a true fastback, allowing more headroom than in the X6 while being significantly smaller than the Mercedes R-Class. This car-like approach seen on this prototype seems better-suited to BMW’s values than a full-size van, and although these spy-photos do not reveal all of the car’s design, enthusiasts might be a bit disappointed by the car’s rational coupe like design.

The V-Series, PAS, RFK or whatever you want to call it, is expected to debut in September 2009 at IAA in Frankfurt.

Source: AUTOMEDIA
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Comments

I just don't known which category to put that vehicle into. It's a couple like minivan but less utility and lower like a sedan? Maybe it's just a stylish wagon or a hatchback...

by autoque | August 4, 2008 6:29 PM
well then i guess its a couvanhacan lol but i would prob say it is a long hatch ;P

by BabyMilo | August 5, 2008 11:52 AM
lol, looks like it'll have a similar rear to the X6, which is ugly.

by Tuner_Mad | August 4, 2008 6:42 PM
I like the rear end of the X6! :)

by Pentium | August 4, 2008 8:30 PM
Beatiful idea, premium AWD hatchback finally.

by alessandro | August 4, 2008 8:03 PM
Looks like one of these Japanese mini cross MPV such as the Mazda 5 crossed (again) with a 5 series.

Who's actually gonna buy these cars? They're making so many similar cars. It's probably gonna be a 5 series alternative, but pricing slotting in between the 5 and 7...

I don't care how the car looks - it's a BMW - but it's whether they'll actually sell some of those.

by pscs | August 4, 2008 8:19 PM
Yet another ridiculous model to further dilute the brand of BMW. once a hallowed automobile manufacturer, now greed and American influence has dictated that every market segment must be infiltrated.

Please BMW, reconsider your approach and adopt a more exclusive approach to selling and producing what are almost always fantastic cars, be it the technology, the styling or simply the engines.. The X3 was the start and the idiotic 1 series convertible and now something that horribly large, brash and loud families will buy..brilliant...the pedigree takes another step in the direction of the toilet!

by jpm | August 4, 2008 8:28 PM
Completely agree with you. What happened to the 8 series coupe, Z8 and the likes. Why do we now get crap like the X6, X3, X1, 1 series, PAS whatever the hell that's supposed to be...BMW did start the whole premium low end SUV thing with the X3 and Audi and Mercedes had to tag along with the Q5 and the GLK. Well as long as there are profits I'd expect BMW to keep doing what it does best..trying to be aimlessly innovative.

by RS5 | August 5, 2008 2:58 AM
What the hell are you people talking about? It's a fastback sedan with a bit more headroom. What's so awful and bad about that? It's definitely not an MPV, and it's certainly not some horrible aberration of the brand. It'll drive like any other 5-series, and probably be nicer on a long drive.

by Snark21883 | August 4, 2008 8:35 PM
exactly!

by odysseus | August 4, 2008 9:32 PM
i disagree on the basis that in England, the 3 Series saloon is now renowned for being the new 'rep mobile' replacing the stereotype that Vauxhall Vectra's and Mondeo's are driven by the aforementioned. The manufacturer's logo is often, and has been for many years accompanied by the statement 'The Ultimate Driving Machine' the tourings BMW produce are exactly that, they often handle a little better in some conditions because of the additional weight from the glass over the rear axle.

I just dislike the expanding model range, although a re-kindling of the 8 Series model range for example would get my complete blessing!

It is in the style of an MPV, a fast back is a touring, estate, shooting brake, this is some foul derivative aimed at creating or filling a non-existent niche market.

The people who did the market research for the X6 and X3 stayed at home, fact. The X6 is an awesome car and having driven the 35d version I found it immensely satisfying, however the X3 is crap, too expensive (relative to competition and X5), poorly constructed and hideous.

by jpm | August 4, 2008 10:53 PM
I think same it is a hatchback with some sportier lifestyle than regular sedan. People who expect something like that mule represents can by BMW too now.

by alessandro | August 5, 2008 4:18 PM
probably it will just fail like the R(ebate) class.

by M! | August 4, 2008 8:39 PM
they know what they are doing

by jalaad123 | August 4, 2008 9:05 PM
should be called the POS...

by atleast500hp | August 5, 2008 3:27 AM
A truly pointless and useless vehicle. WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE A BMW???!!!

by GranTurismo | August 5, 2008 7:12 AM
is this the rumored F10 5-series hatchback version, or is it something else ?

by afterace2 | August 5, 2008 10:59 AM
No! this is "sheer driving pleasure".

Who ever thinks that this car won't sale is in for a shocker coz nowadays we are seeing alot of corporate professional mothers and women. It's this group that definately will buy this car like 'hot cakes' - as it was recently with the X6 being bought in spades by the rich men. BMW is a very smart group and see way beyound the critics. Who ever thought that the Mercs Thermal screen night vission would be improved to colour code humans in a diffrent shade to other warm blooded animals? no one but they have done that in the seven series. The head up display is a mighty system. They now have a system that reads the speed warning boards that subsequently warns the driver - it's these simple things that separate a good car from the lot that come up with heated seats and alot of Tupper ware facia bits and pieces - for what? for an american Rap artist.

Think of what this group did to the SUV segment with the X5, Mid exec range with the 3 series... they changed these segments and that's what makes them the centre of heated debates which is good marketing in any case. Negative remarks have a weird twist to them in that they attract so much attention and this initiates curiousity in many a mind who in the end are forced to try out the heavily debated product. BMW is smart.

by Wisp | August 5, 2008 11:29 AM
well then i guess its a couvanhacan lol but i would prob say it is a long hatch ;P

by BabyMilo | August 5, 2008 11:52 AM
At first glance I thought this was the rumored 5-series hatchback. ...or is it?

Its got rameless windows!

by AG4 | August 5, 2008 2:51 PM
so this is the CLS competiton maybe, but with a hatch-back ?

by afterace2 | August 5, 2008 5:33 PM
Can't wait to see how it turns out!

by bmwer | August 6, 2008 8:14 PM

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