News_Stig Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the firm remains committed to launching a smaller, more affordable luxury crossover to accompany next year’s 5-series GT. The new smaller BMW Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) will be based on the facelifted 3-series, due in 2010. As such, it will further bolster the burgeoning ranks of models based on the 3-series platform, slotting into the line-up between the Touring and the next X3. As with the 5-series-based BMW PAS, the 3-series crossover will come with rear-wheel drive as standard, but four-wheel drive will be offered as an option. Designed to offer a slightly higher seating position than the BMW 3-series Touring, the five-seater should also adopt its larger sibling’s two-piece liftback for added versatility. To help streamline production, the engines are likely to be drawn from the rest of the BMW 3-series range, with a future line-up of turbocharged four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units mated to standard manual or optional dual-clutch gearboxes. Earlier this year BMW stopped work on a project to develop a large SUV that would have given the firm a rival for the Range Rover. It blamed the collapse in SUV sales in North America for the decision. BMW has also postponed plans for a future 8-series based on the CS concept, although there is a chance this car will still make production in the future. When he was asked if the worldwide financial crisis had affected plans for the 3-series GT, Reithofer said, “We haven’t cancelled the development project for a crossover off the 3-series because it is considered a volume builder with which we can earn good money.” BMW first rubber-stamped plans for the smaller PAS over 18 months ago, but a definitive production date has yet to be fixed. Reithofer has been studying proposals to build the new car at BMW’s Spartanburg factory in the US state of South Carolina, or the company’s Rosslyn plant in South Africa, the source of the majority of 3-series saloons sold in the UK. The 3-series GT won’t go on sale until 2011. It should cost around £27,000 in the UK, at today’s prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Mmm. That's pretty. :flush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Mmm. That's pretty. :flush: I'm inclined to agree! I'm sure it will sell very well though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Will have to see what it looks like when it comes out but what are BMW doing, a 5 series hatch and now a 3 to follow. Very risky in the current climate, how many people that drive a 5 want a hatch but not an estate. Very strange. But then again they are doing a 1 series a like 4x4 / suv model with not 4wd... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Tone_ Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 Thats just f'ing awful man! The designers at BMW must be deluded if they think thats going to sell in big numbers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alera Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Well at least they are consistent. Every they make is terrible to look at. Really with things as bad as they are at the moment, prices are low and huge choice. Will people really buy a new bmws when it looks this ugly? I see what they are trying to do offering estate / 4 x4 flexibity but cheaper, smaller and more fuel efficient etc. Loads of manufacturers have tried this before, the french in particular and they have not done well. Very very risky. Just seems compltely pointless. 3 series / a4 estate. 5 series / a6 / e class estate. Much better proven currently available and more attractive options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Glad to see the BM biased comments in full flow for 2009... Pre-production photos allways look iffy. I hated the Sirrocco pictures, but love it in the flesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Oh yes. Those BMWs are all rubbish. Especially the M3. And in silvery grey? OMFG, who the feck would do that..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I'm going to stick my neck out - I think it looks rather striking. I'd like to see a few more pics, and get my head around where in the BMW line up this thing is supposed to sit, but I doubt many others will approve of it. In any case, it's no worse that then X1, X3, X5 and 1 series regarding looks not that that's saying much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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