The BMW Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS or possibly V5) is on its way, whether the world wants it or needs it. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the 5-series based sedan will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, and is expected to be very reminiscent of the recently released X6, with plummeting C- and D-pillars, a hatchback, a higher ride height (think Audi's Allroad) and measuring in at approximately 4.9 meters (192 inches), about an inch longer than the X6. There's no indication about which markets the PAS will be sold in when it arrives in late 2009 or early 2010, but it's safe to assume that the success of the X6 will be a factor in the PAS' distribution.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Autotelegraaf via Egmcartech]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
John R @ Jun 24th 2008 12:04PM
what? BMW makes my head hurt.
AMcA @ Jun 24th 2008 9:01PM
Let's see - one inch longer than the X6.
And next year, they're going to make one that's one inch shorter than the X6.
And the year after, there's going to be another model that's HALF an INCH longer.
Ad infinitum. Ridiculous.
LloydChiro @ Jun 24th 2008 12:06PM
I'm waiting for the libertarian activity sedan.
styleguy @ Jun 24th 2008 12:06PM
No, we don't need it. How many acronyms can they make up?
Justin @ Jun 24th 2008 12:07PM
Name is stupid but the styling works for me.
3seriesisking @ Jun 24th 2008 12:41PM
Interesting?
martin @ Jun 24th 2008 12:08PM
dear me. thats just hideous. its an x6 but lower down, surely
thomas perez @ Jun 25th 2008 6:23PM
you're exactly right, this is basically a lowered x6. with a little photoshopping...
i wouldn't rely so much on the picture above as it is most likely a speculatory rendering. And lets not pass judgment on something we know very little about. the vehicle they will show at frankfurt will likely be little more than a design study; guaging public reactions to both the vehicles styling and proportions.who's to say that this vehicle is even meant for the american market? they compare it to the Audi allroad, which last i checked, isnt sold here anymore.
Snark @ Jun 24th 2008 12:09PM
Not that hard to understand. It's a fastback sedan - think Elantra GT, Mazda6 Hatch, Skoda Superb, the various "4-door coupes" - with a little more headroom and a little more interior space than a typical sedan.
Given that people tend to love SUVs because you can sit up a little taller, have a little more room to stretch out, and can carry crap in them, this, then, is a reasonably carlike alternative that will probably handle and suck gas like a 5-series wagon while providing 90% of the benefit of a SUV.
Josiah @ Jun 24th 2008 12:31PM
Think instead the Porsche Panamera but with an off-road personality.
Snark @ Jun 24th 2008 12:32PM
Exactly. A Panamera with a Golden Retriever and an REI membership card in its wallet.
J M C 3 @ Jun 24th 2008 12:43PM
A vehicle like this is also easier to get in and out of ,which makes alot of sense when You consider the number of retirees that buy 5 series BMW's and E class Benzes.
Snark @ Jun 24th 2008 12:09PM
Not that hard to understand. It's a fastback sedan - think Elantra GT, Mazda6 Hatch, Skoda Superb, the various "4-door coupes" - with a little more headroom and a little more interior space than a typical sedan.
Given that people tend to love SUVs because you can sit up a little taller, have a little more room to stretch out, and can carry crap in them, this, then, is a reasonably carlike alternative that will probably handle and suck gas like a 5-series wagon while providing 90% of the benefit of a SUV.
aman @ Jun 24th 2008 5:48PM
I see absolutely no benefit of an SUV over a station wagon. Consider, for comparison the 5series versus the X5
X5 is heavier, slower, worse handling, more expensive, less fuel economic, and about equal cargo room. And forgive me, but when I'm tired in the morning, I prefer flopping down into the seat rather than having to climb up to one. That, and I enjoy my manual transmissions, thank you very much.
If you realy want to get picky, the X5 has a third-row seat, but then again, so does a Ford Taurus wagon.
another would-be benefit of SUV's would be the added seat height, but what good is that? looking over the car in front of you in traffic ain't gonna make it move, and with the unbelievable amount of SUVs on the road today, the closest you'll get is probably looking at the third brake light on top of the hatch.
To get this post on topic, I have a question. I know BMW calls it a sedan, but what with SAVs and PAVs and all that crap, they franky suck and describing their cars. So is this a sedan, an SUV, or a hatchback? Can't have it all 3 ways, BMW
Snark @ Jun 24th 2008 6:02PM
Clearly you're not much one for unimproved roads, then.
aman @ Jun 24th 2008 6:40PM
well the X5 doesnt really ride that much better than the 5 series.
Snark @ Jun 24th 2008 8:32PM
However, it does have more ground clearance, and that's very useful to some people. My mom's been driving hers down backroads all over Utah for years.
Throwback @ Jun 24th 2008 12:15PM
BMW has lost their way. How about you guys make a 1 series that weighs under 3000 lbs first, then worry about adding more crossover/SUV/truck nonsense.
Eek @ Jun 24th 2008 12:18PM
Ugh. Why not just bump the roof up a little higher at the C and D pillars and call it a freakin' wagon?
shadysi @ Jun 24th 2008 1:23PM
wagon is a curse word in the american automotive industry.