A new type of vehicle, dubbed the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), is set to issue from BMW’s creative design centre at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Continuing the proliferation of new automotive niche vehicles such as the crossover utility vehicle, the sports activity vehicle and the more established SUV, the PAS is expected to add a more car-like capable element to BMW’s already extensive lineup of soft-roaders.

Last year BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer revealed plans for several all-new models including the PAS. Beyond an obscure design brief issued at the announcement of the new concept, details have been relatively scarce. Spy shots of the car taken over the past year have shown it will pick up many design cues from the recently launched niche-bending X6, and it will likely be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

Four-door coupe body style with soft-road ability
Like the X6, the new PAS will only be a four-seater with individual bucket seats featuring full heating and massage functions. Early prototypes also appear to be shaped more like an estate or hatchback, with a split-gate rear portal instead of a sedan's rear deck and boot-lid design. These new computer generated renderings preview the final car’s expected appearance.

BMW will once again be stressing the new model’s coupe-like characteristics, just as it did with the X6. Expect to see extremely short overhangs, flared fenders and optional 20-inch wheels. The wheelbase will stretch just over 3m with an overall length of at least 4.90m, making the new PAS slightly larger than the X6, which is appropriate for the car’s position in the overall lineup - expected to fall between the existing 5 and 7-series sedans.

Wide range of engines available, may spawn entire PAS series
The car will initially be available with four different engines as well as the latest EfficientDynamics technology - including the possibility of a hybrid option. The engine range will kick off with a 182kW 3.0-litre turbodiesel, followed by a pair of 224kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo six cylinder engines, one diesel and the other petrol. The range topper will be powered by the same 298kW 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 from the X6.

BMW already sells nearly its complete model in its lineup in Australia, so bringing the new PAS here is almost a certainty. It would fit into the market alongside Volvo and Audi's soft-road offerings, such as the XC70 and the A6 Allroad. However, the more estate-like Vehicles from Volvo and Audi are less focused on performance and handling than the PAS is likely to be.

Pricing will place the car more on par with the Audi than the $59,500 Volvo, with a base price expected to lie between the pricing of the 5 and 7-series models – likely around the low $100,000 mark.

During an interview last year, BMW exec Klaus Draeger said a second PAS could be built if the first model proves successful. Draeger also confirmed the name of the new range would start with the letter ‘V’ in the same way that the letter ‘Z’ is reserved for sports models and ‘X’ for the SUV range. The new PAS is tipped to be called the new V5, while the second, smaller model will get a V3 badge.

BMW Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) Preview

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