Our spy photographers have snapped BMW's S-Max

Our latest spy shots reveal that BMW’s ‘Progressive Activity Sedan’ (PAS) project is continuing apace.

Based on the same platform as the new 5-series, which arrives next year, the PAS will provide BMW with an MPV for the first time. The firm has lost sales to the likes of the Ford S-Max as 3-series drivers have families and want more space, and this is the company’s response.

BMW’s chairman Norbert Reithofer has already promised class leading cabin and luggage room from the PAS.

The PAS design team considered adding a third row of seats to create a sort of luxury people carrier, but Autocar understands this idea has been scrapped because of the heavy curvature of the roof. Instead, the PAS will come X6-style with four deep-set individual seats, or with the more conventional arrangement of two front seats and a rear bench.

In an effort to recreate one of the most appealing aspects of driving an SUV, the PAS has it’s seats positioned 60mm higher than the 5-series to offer drivers a commanding view of the road.

We expect the PAS to share engines and powertrain options with the new 5-series. Diesel units will be most popular, with the 3.0-litre straight-six expected to be the range highlight.

Prices for the PAS are expected to start at around £32,000 when it arrives late next year. It won’t be called PAS, either – V5 is the favourite, as BMW is likely to begin a new naming convention for its MPVs.

Will Powell

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once 16 November 2008

Re: Spied: BMW's MPV

Could be good, could be rubbish - it all depends on whether they add anything to the standard MPV formula. Maybe a design feature like the multipla's or FR-V's two rows of three seats. Or the S-Max's trick of being not too bad to drive. Or the original Renault Espace's idea of aircraft style luxury (we were all supposed to have business meetings in them, remember?).

But if they give us nothing more than a bread and butter MPV with a BMW badge, it won't set the world alight. Some will buy it for the badge, but if it doesn't do anything new, we could end up wth another version of the merc A class or B class - okay, but not very exciting.

Reminds me of an old story that Land Rover used to get hundreds of letters from townies saying that they love their range rovers but didn''t like the high fuel consumption. Would range rover consider building a two wheeled drive version? Of course, the land rover bosses said no. But if BMW are not careful they could end up with a 2WD X5. And what is the point of that?

davidv11 16 November 2008

Re: Spied: BMW's MPV

I think this might work for BMW, as they seem to be gettin there models spot on. THe hates X6 which i quite like has sold out, so obv they have done somthing right

All recent model launches have been quite sucsessful and they have a range of product to suit many tastes.

This so called MPV will be sold out when it is lauched and when we actually see what it looks like it wont be an S-Max type veichle, it will be another niche for BMW to fill and make money out of!

Bruce Wayne 16 November 2008

Re: Spied: BMW's MPV

Hey Brian - why don't you take your spam and shove it somewhere photosynthesis can't happen. Who wants some shitey Autocar replica ? Not me.