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BMW PAS (2009)
By
Georg Kacher
Spy shots
13 February 2008 10:35
Thought the BMW X6 crossover was a car too far? Brace yourself for more weirdness from the Bavarians, who are readying a strange 5-series-on-stilts niche model dubbed Progressive Activity Sedan for launch in the middle of 2009.
Caught here by our scoop photographers in Germany, the PAS is based on the engineering architecture of the next-gen 5-series Touring, but with a 60mm taller roofline and a fastback rear end, clearly visible under the black disguise masking the back of this prototype. Has BMW lost the design plot? After the X6 with its cramped accommodation and fussy front end and this year’s 7-series becoming a Lexus LS clone, we’re starting to wonder.
PAS: more design oddness from BMW
The PAS caught here heralds more oddness – and its puzzling model designation echoes a shape that will take some getting used to. It’s a high-roof four-seater, with a pseudo-coupe rear end and a clever, twin-hinged tailgate nestling under that black disguise. You can either open the whole hatchback, or just the rearmost section (like a saloon’s boot).
Although based on the next-gen 5-series, the PAS gets its own front-end design which is, err, different to say the least. And the tall and chunky rear end has disturbing Honda FR-V overtones. Oh dear.
Click ‘Next’ to read the full engineering lowdown on the PAS
