BMW gives the go ahead for 5-Series GT

[SVT666]

BMW gives the go ahead for 5-Series GT ?Progressive Activity Sedan?

Whether you call it a wagon or hatchback, BMW has been long working on a more spacious ?Progressive Activity Sedan?. Although our spy photographers have spotted such a prototype testing, BMW has never official confirmed the project. However, the German automaker is coming clean and has announced that a PAS is indeed in the works.

A concept version ? which will bear the Progressive Activity Sedan name ? is expected to debut in the next few months, with a production version slated to make an appearance in late 2009, according to Autocar. The currently unnamed production version ? possibly 5-Series GT ? should start rolling into BMW dealerships in either late 2009 or early 2010.

The roomy sedan is said to have four large, fully adjustable seats and, as sources are telling us, small tables as well. Depending on the options and packages, PAS will be riding on 18- to 21-inch wheels. All-wheel-drive will definitely be an option, as well as several of the bells and whistles from the newest 5- and 7-Series models.

As seen in our spy photos, the car appears to be a pure hatchback with no room for a rear deck-lid ? as our renderings show. Overall styling appears to be similar to the X6, but the vehicle spied has a taller roofline arc ? allowing for more headroom in back ? and the rear hatch looks more cargo-friendly. The PAS will also feature frameless windows.

Earlier reports said BMW?s next MPV would go head-to-head with Mercedes? R-class, but BMW instead decided to build a sedan-like crossover. This is probably a good decision for BMW as it better suits the automaker?s values and the R-class has been met with a lukewarm reception at best.

Size-wise, the 5-Series GT will fit between the 5-Series and 7-Series ? with a roofline lower than the X6 ? and will offer a ride height closer to a crossover than a sports sedan. The front of the car is said to be inspired by the Concept CS, but don?t expect the PAS to be a true sports machine ? BMW will be targeting the 5-Series GT at older drivers that need a higher seating position than the normal 5-Series but don?t necessarily need the utility of an SUV or crossover.

No pricing figures have been released, but expect the the 5-Series GT to slot between the 5-Series and 7-Series sedans.

[Laconian]

The car's cool. But the marketers need to be shot.

[cawimmer430]

Nice. Now I might be able to spot more of these prototypes driving through Munich and make some money by selling them. 

Hopefully! 

[2o6]

That's a rather dumb industry buzzword.

[MX793]

Sooo, how is this appreciably different from the X6?

[Cookie Monster]

Are there any pics of this thing?

[SVT666]

Are there any pics of this thing?

Yes, but they are property of Brenda Priddy or copyrighted renderings from Leftlanenews.  I can't post them here.  It looks like a BMW version of the Malibu Maxx to me.

[SVT666]

Sooo, how is this appreciably different from the X6?

This rides low like the rest of their sedans, but looks like a Malibu Maxx.  The X6 rides high like an SUV.

[MX793]

This rides low like the rest of their sedans, but looks like a Malibu Maxx.  The X6 rides high like an SUV.

Article says it will ride a little taller than a normal sedan, closer to a crossover than a car.

[SVT666]

Article says it will ride a little taller than a normal sedan, closer to a crossover than a car.

The spy pics seem to suggest otherwise.  I will provide a link.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-progressive-activity-sedan.html

[MX793]

The spy pics seem to suggest otherwise.  I will provide a link.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-progressive-activity-sedan.html

OK, so they're building a car that rides taller than the standard 5er but lower than the X6.

BMW will be targeting the 5-Series GT at older drivers that need a higher seating position than the normal 5-Series but don?t necessarily need the utility of an SUV or crossover.

Oh, I see...  So does GT actually stand for "Geriatric Transport" on this one?  I still fail to see why they see a need for both this and the X6, especially considering the X6 gives you the higher seating position without an overabundance of "utility".

[Colin]

According to this week's Autocar, there's a 3 Series GT in the wings, as well...... probably to follow a year or so after the 5 Series.

Because it's a BMW, doubtless people will buy it in their droves......... though the Autocar article did have a side-bar feature on the complete sales failures that were the Vel Satis, Avantime, Signum and Merc R Class, and it postulates that this could just go the same way. Will be interesting to see.

[Cookie Monster]

I think it looks nice, but WHY?? There's already a 5 series wagon... this makes no sense at all.

They should make a swoopier car based on the 7 series to compete with the CLS instead.

[SVT666]

I think it looks nice, but WHY?? There's already a 5 series wagon... this makes no sense at all.

They should make a swoopier car based on the 7 series to compete with the CLS instead.

It's more like a liftback then a wagon.

[565]

That rendered back end looks like a direct rip off the of the Infiniti EX to me.

[omicron]

Progressive Activity Sedan?

Unless there are chains hanging from the roof, shag-pile carpeting, and neon disco lights, I don't envisage much 'progressive activity' going on at all, unless children today think that a mere flick of the wrist here and there constitutes Something Of Which Her Father Wouldn't Approve.

[sportyaccordy]

What the fuck

[nickdrinkwater]

I was just reading the E-Class coupe thread and wondering, when will BMW make a 5-Series coupe?  Looks like they are wasting their time with this instead, which is a shame...

[MX793]

I was just reading the E-Class coupe thread and wondering, when will BMW make a 5-Series coupe?  Looks like they are wasting their time with this instead, which is a shame...

The 6 series is essentially the 5-series coupe.  Same platform, same engines.  For a while, BMW was going to go the route of having all of their 2 doors using even numbered nomenclature (1 series coupes would be the 2 series, 3 series coupes would be the 4-series, 5 series coupe is the 6 series).

[sportyaccordy]

5 models based on the 5, only 2.5 worth buying

[93JC]

Anybody know the name of the person(s) who came up with "Progressive Activity Sedan"?

If so, please forward to me.


I will kill them.

[2o6]

Anybody know the name of the person(s) who came up with "Progressive Activity Sedan"?

If so, please forward to me.


I will kill them.

I don't get that at all. Does that mean the car is horrible to drive, and gets better each time you drive it? 

[the Teuton]

It's progress.  It's a sedan, but oh so much more.

At least that's my take on it.

[2o6]

It's progress.  It's a sedan, but oh so much more.

At least that's my take on it.

Then shouldn't it be an Audi?

[the Teuton]

Then shouldn't it be an Audi?

BMWs aren't Audis.  They're BMWs.  The 5er GT is a custom-fitted suit, whereas the regular 5er is just the same as you could pick up at any store.

BMW's philosophy is a little whack with that because the X6, for instance, was not a better vehicle than the X5, but it offers several features you just can't get on the X5, the only such features that make the X6 worth it.

I assume the 5er GT will be the same in that respect.  But other than swoopy styling and less space, what more can they offer?  AWD with the V10 maybe?

[2o6]

BMWs aren't Audis.  They're BMWs.  The 5er GT is a custom-fitted suit, whereas the regular 5er is just the same as you could pick up at any store.

BMW's philosophy is a little whack with that because the X6, for instance, was not a better vehicle than the X5, but it offers several features you just can't get on the X5, the only such features that make the X6 worth it.

I assume the 5er GT will be the same in that respect.  But other than swoopy styling and less space, what more can they offer?  AWD with the V10 maybe?

You didn't get the "Progress is Beautiful" slogan I was hinting at.

[the Teuton]

Kraft durch Technik...wha?

[MX793]

I have an idea for a vehicle.  This will be a Z4 variant called the BMW XZ4 GT "Sport Heritage Intelligent Tourer".  It'll have a taller, crossover-like ride height than the standard Z4 roadster and xDrive AWD, making it easier to get into and out of and adding the utility that sports roadster owners are looking for.

[Cookie Monster]

I have an idea for a vehicle.  This will be a Z4 variant called the BMW XZ4 GT "Sport Heritage Intelligent Tourer".  It'll have a taller, crossover-like ride height than the standard Z4 roadster and xDrive AWD, making it easier to get into and out of and adding the utility that sports roadster owners are looking for.

But seriously, if they make a 3 series GT I will cry.

[the Teuton]

I have an idea for a vehicle.  This will be a Z4 variant called the BMW XZ4 GT "Sport Heritage Intelligent Tourer".  It'll have a taller, crossover-like ride height than the standard Z4 roadster and xDrive AWD, making it easier to get into and out of and adding the utility that sports roadster owners are looking for.

It'll look something like this, right?