German Car Zone

space is definitly an issue for some
my father sold his 120d due to the lack of space
but the x1 is again a bmw he is looking forward to

Eg. X1 is based on 3er Touring wheelbase ... so there's more space in there then in a 5dr 1er.

Aslo ... eg. ... 5er PAS is based on LWB 5er wheelbase, while the 3er PAC is expected to based on LWB 3er. So, beside higher roof, also the wheelbase will be longer 3er Touring vs. 3er PAC, or 5er Touring vs 5er PAS.




And again: just like X6 also the PAS & PAC will be something special, and sticking out from the crowd. Being extravagant & practical at the same time.

PAS is has quite a presence, and a very sporty look for a crossover.

Another important point: anti-SUV crossovers like PAS are also sedan alternatives for elderly BMW clients who want higher sitting position (but not too high like in SUV) & more spacious ambient (but for less money then 7er). It was detected by several researches elderly BMW clients would like such a vehicle: spacious & practical, yet sporty & BMWish extravagant. Such people are usually 5er owners, and find X5 too big, 7er too expensive, while they considered X3 as a "downgrade". Same case with little less wealthy 3er customers: 5er too expensive, X3 too big ...
Researches also show PAS will also appeal to female customers, and wealthy young fathers with 1 or 2 children. Mainly customers of vehicles in mid-SUV, large-SUV, or executive sedan / wagon segments.

Why does BMW have to go the same path as GM, Ford? by having several variants of same platform. Doesn't it increase R&D costs?

Those platforms are modular.
Small platform: for all 1er, 3er & small Z cars & X cars.
Large platform: for 5er, 6er, 7er, PAS, possible 8er, baby RR etc.
X-platform: for medium & large X-models.

Z8 or a supercar would have an alu-mag or na alu-CF spaceframe. RR Phantom as well.

So, it's cheaper to use all the existing platforms for the niche models. And it's flexible too. Especially regarding production.

Article from Autocar.co.uk on the proposed 3 Series PAS.Sounds like the SC Plant might be in the mix to build the vehicle!!!! I hope there is some true to that statement!!!! Thanks! PalBay Autocar - BMW confirms 3-series hatch

SUV is not accepted anymore by manny green people so we go a different route PAS it s just the same only we pick normal models for it and make it an SUV.

It is quite smart actually. It is still a truck but it is not as high. Therefore the green brigade will not feel as intimidated by it and leave it alone. We, the driving enthusiasts will, however, still stuffer...

Thanks Palbay. There's some interesting detail in that article:

"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."

You mean, like they made the X5 out of the 5er and the X3 out of the 3er? Nothing new really. All I know is that PAS will be 3.4 times as cool and pretty as the E70 X5.

Really? I'd settle for 2.4 times as cool