BMW: X6 news **2015 M Version Revealed (page 10)**
01-13-2004, 09:11 AM
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BMW: X6 news **2015 M Version Revealed (page 10)**
BMW's Panke Says Van Research Goes On
BMW chairman and CEO Helmut Panke says the German automaker has explored the van market, to the point of developing prototypes, but that none of the cars measured up. "None of the vehicles developed fulfilled BMW's brand values," Panke told an audience gathered at The Automotive News World Congress. "Our engineers continue to explore concepts where we have more functionality, more versatility, more practicality, but none of the concepts that have been presented as prototypes, fulfilled our expectation of what the BMW brand and its values stand for." Panke has been known to be interested in an X5 that could accommodate a third row of seats, something for which the current X5 was not designed.
BMW insiders have hinted that the next X5 could satisfy that market niche. Meanwhile, despite barriers to wagons and hatchbacks breaking down in the U.S. market, BMW says it will not launch the hatchback version of the 1-Series in the U.S., at least not until after the sedan is launched here. Europe will see a hatchback 1-Series in 2005. Europe and North American will see the sedan a year or so later. -Jim Burt
Source: The Car Connection
01-13-2004, 09:12 AM
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"None of the vehicles developed fulfilled BMW's brand values," Panke told an audience gathered at The Automotive News World Congress.
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03-09-2004, 04:21 PM
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BMW studying two crossover/minivan-like vehicles
BMW pondering people movers with high roofs, power, sporty handling - - -By DAVID SEDGWICK | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek
GENEVA -- BMW AG is developing two multi-purpose vehicles with high roofs for the world market.
The vehicles, under development for more than a year, appear to be minivan-like, although BMW prefers not to use that term. The German automaker has not approved the vehicles, but a senior executive said they are getting a serious look.
"Normally we would not work on a van," said Burkhard Goeschel, BMW's board member in charge of r&d.
Designing a high-roof vehicle with sporty handling "is not an easy task," said Goeschel, who is overseeing the project. Sporty handling is mandatory, or BMW won't approve the project, he added.
"The vehicles are in pre-budget," he said. "Now we have to decide whether to do it."
That decision could come this year, Goeschel added.
If approved, the vehicles would mark BMW's introduction of another non-traditional product to the luxury market.
BMW's move comes at a time when arch-rival Mercedes is developing some non-traditional products of its own. Next year, Mercedes will introduce a sport wagon dubbed the Vision Grand Sports Tourer.
BMW's new vehicles would be sold in all markets, including the U.S.
During an interview at a BMW reception here last week, Goeschel described the project:
>>> The vehicles would have 18-inch wheels and a sporty seating position for the driver.
>>> A V8 engine would be available for the larger vehicle, while a six-cylinder engine could power the smaller one.
>>> The larger vehicle could be built either on the X5 or 5-series platform. The smaller vehicle could share either the X3 or 3-series platform.
>>> The vehicles could have as many as six seats, although that seating configuration is not mandatory.
If the vehicles are based on the X5 and X3 architectures, BMW could produce them at its Spartanburg, S.C., assembly plant. If not, it would build them in Europe, Goeschel said.
BMW may be poised to announce an expansion at Spartanburg, which produces the Z4 roadster and X5 SUV. The state of South Carolina has agreed to offer incentives for new investment at the site, but BMW said there is no timetable for expansion.
Analysts had expected a different product to go into Spartanburg - a larger 7-series-based SUV referred to as the X7. But consultant Alan Baum of The Planning Edge in Farmington Hills, Mich., said X7 discussions have been going on so long that "it surely must be off the table now."
BMW has not confirmed that it is considering such a vehicle.
BMW is loath to dilute its image by offering a minivan, said Wes Brown, a research analyst with Nextrend in Thousand Oaks, Calif. But he said it must address the segment.
"We believe there's a market for high-line brand people-movers," Brown said. "They won't be mass-market soccer-mom vehicles. But there is definitely a potential for high-end seven-passenger people carriers."
Mercedes is nibbling at this segment with the Grand Sports Tourer, which enters production next year in Vance, Ala.
"BMW must be facing a real dilemma right now," Brown said. "They see a valid market segment. They just have to assure themselves that they can enter it in a way that won't mess up their image."
BMW's vehicles are being developed under the code names RFK-1 and RFK-2. RFK stands for Raum funktionales Konzept, which means functional-space concept.
Goeschel said BMW can produce the vehicles on existing assembly lines because they would share the architectures of existing vehicles. That also would minimize product development costs.
But BMW is using just about all of its global production capacity. It has the capacity to produce 1.1 million vehicles annually, and that's just about what the company produces.
Staff Reporter Lindsay Chappell contributed to this report
GENEVA -- BMW AG is developing two multi-purpose vehicles with high roofs for the world market.
The vehicles, under development for more than a year, appear to be minivan-like, although BMW prefers not to use that term. The German automaker has not approved the vehicles, but a senior executive said they are getting a serious look.
"Normally we would not work on a van," said Burkhard Goeschel, BMW's board member in charge of r&d.
Designing a high-roof vehicle with sporty handling "is not an easy task," said Goeschel, who is overseeing the project. Sporty handling is mandatory, or BMW won't approve the project, he added.
"The vehicles are in pre-budget," he said. "Now we have to decide whether to do it."
That decision could come this year, Goeschel added.
If approved, the vehicles would mark BMW's introduction of another non-traditional product to the luxury market.
BMW's move comes at a time when arch-rival Mercedes is developing some non-traditional products of its own. Next year, Mercedes will introduce a sport wagon dubbed the Vision Grand Sports Tourer.
BMW's new vehicles would be sold in all markets, including the U.S.
During an interview at a BMW reception here last week, Goeschel described the project:
>>> The vehicles would have 18-inch wheels and a sporty seating position for the driver.
>>> A V8 engine would be available for the larger vehicle, while a six-cylinder engine could power the smaller one.
>>> The larger vehicle could be built either on the X5 or 5-series platform. The smaller vehicle could share either the X3 or 3-series platform.
>>> The vehicles could have as many as six seats, although that seating configuration is not mandatory.
If the vehicles are based on the X5 and X3 architectures, BMW could produce them at its Spartanburg, S.C., assembly plant. If not, it would build them in Europe, Goeschel said.
BMW may be poised to announce an expansion at Spartanburg, which produces the Z4 roadster and X5 SUV. The state of South Carolina has agreed to offer incentives for new investment at the site, but BMW said there is no timetable for expansion.
Analysts had expected a different product to go into Spartanburg - a larger 7-series-based SUV referred to as the X7. But consultant Alan Baum of The Planning Edge in Farmington Hills, Mich., said X7 discussions have been going on so long that "it surely must be off the table now."
BMW has not confirmed that it is considering such a vehicle.
BMW is loath to dilute its image by offering a minivan, said Wes Brown, a research analyst with Nextrend in Thousand Oaks, Calif. But he said it must address the segment.
"We believe there's a market for high-line brand people-movers," Brown said. "They won't be mass-market soccer-mom vehicles. But there is definitely a potential for high-end seven-passenger people carriers."
Mercedes is nibbling at this segment with the Grand Sports Tourer, which enters production next year in Vance, Ala.
"BMW must be facing a real dilemma right now," Brown said. "They see a valid market segment. They just have to assure themselves that they can enter it in a way that won't mess up their image."
BMW's vehicles are being developed under the code names RFK-1 and RFK-2. RFK stands for Raum funktionales Konzept, which means functional-space concept.
Goeschel said BMW can produce the vehicles on existing assembly lines because they would share the architectures of existing vehicles. That also would minimize product development costs.
But BMW is using just about all of its global production capacity. It has the capacity to produce 1.1 million vehicles annually, and that's just about what the company produces.
Staff Reporter Lindsay Chappell contributed to this report
05-18-2004, 09:18 PM
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Revealed: BMW's MPV - - By Dan Strong - - Source: Autoexpress
It's all aboard at BMW, as the firm puts the finishing touches to a new people carrier project. The six-seater family machine will be based on the newly launched X3 off-roader, and will pitch the firm into all-new sales territory.
It's being developed in response to the growth in popularity of the mini-MPV market, which has yet to welcome the still-secret B-Class from BMW's arch rival Mercedes in 2005.
Company insiders are keen to point out that while the car will go head-to-head with popular mini-MPVs such as the Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira, it will also make the most of the X3's highly developed platform to deliver impressive handling, as well as secure all-wheel-drive traction. What's more, it's instantly recognisable as a BMW, thanks to the influence of controversial head of design Chris Bangle.
Codenamed RFK-1 - which stands for Raum Funktionales Konzept or functional space concept - the newcomer will offer a luxurious but versatile interior according to our sources. Initially, the model will have a choice of 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
However, once the car is established, smaller-capacity four and six-cylinder units from the current 3-Series line-up are likely to join the range. Buyers can expect a debut in 2006 - although the maker's MPV ambitions don't end there.
If you're investing millions to develop one car, you may as well create two - and the company is reported to be working on a larger version of the new people carrier. Codenamed the RFK-2, this model is tipped to borrow its platform from the 5-Series and X5.
Likely to offer a range of V8 engines, as well as large-capacity diesels, this vehicle will fill the gap left by the cancellation of the X7 project, which had originally been slated to carry BMW into the luxury off-roader market.
It's all aboard at BMW, as the firm puts the finishing touches to a new people carrier project. The six-seater family machine will be based on the newly launched X3 off-roader, and will pitch the firm into all-new sales territory.
It's being developed in response to the growth in popularity of the mini-MPV market, which has yet to welcome the still-secret B-Class from BMW's arch rival Mercedes in 2005.
Company insiders are keen to point out that while the car will go head-to-head with popular mini-MPVs such as the Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira, it will also make the most of the X3's highly developed platform to deliver impressive handling, as well as secure all-wheel-drive traction. What's more, it's instantly recognisable as a BMW, thanks to the influence of controversial head of design Chris Bangle.
Codenamed RFK-1 - which stands for Raum Funktionales Konzept or functional space concept - the newcomer will offer a luxurious but versatile interior according to our sources. Initially, the model will have a choice of 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
However, once the car is established, smaller-capacity four and six-cylinder units from the current 3-Series line-up are likely to join the range. Buyers can expect a debut in 2006 - although the maker's MPV ambitions don't end there.
If you're investing millions to develop one car, you may as well create two - and the company is reported to be working on a larger version of the new people carrier. Codenamed the RFK-2, this model is tipped to borrow its platform from the 5-Series and X5.
Likely to offer a range of V8 engines, as well as large-capacity diesels, this vehicle will fill the gap left by the cancellation of the X7 project, which had originally been slated to carry BMW into the luxury off-roader market.
05-19-2004, 02:17 PM
#19
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looks very good, but it can't be a minivan. it's more like a pacifica. as long as it stays like this, i don't mind it at all. i want one for my future family. 
05-19-2004, 05:01 PM
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That thing is ugly as fuck!
06-22-2004, 09:51 AM
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BMW considers minivan launch after 2006, paper says - - Reuters / June 21, 2004 - - Source: AutoNews
FRANKFURT -- BMW AG is considering launching a minivan, but it might not do so before 2006, board member Michael Ganal was quoted as saying in an interview released by a newspaper on Sunday.
Ganal told Die Welt that BMW would extend its product range by a spacious minivan "as soon as markets are ready for a BMW-specific solution."
"We are already working on the solution," Ganal said in the interview, which was released ahead of publication on Monday.
Ganal would not say exactly when the minivan would be launched. But asked whether it would be after 2006, he said: "Amongst traders, to be silent means to affirm."
BMW expects to post its highest earnings ever this year and has repeatedly predicted record vehicle sales for all three of its brands -- BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce -- in 2004.
FRANKFURT -- BMW AG is considering launching a minivan, but it might not do so before 2006, board member Michael Ganal was quoted as saying in an interview released by a newspaper on Sunday.
Ganal told Die Welt that BMW would extend its product range by a spacious minivan "as soon as markets are ready for a BMW-specific solution."
"We are already working on the solution," Ganal said in the interview, which was released ahead of publication on Monday.
Ganal would not say exactly when the minivan would be launched. But asked whether it would be after 2006, he said: "Amongst traders, to be silent means to affirm."
BMW expects to post its highest earnings ever this year and has repeatedly predicted record vehicle sales for all three of its brands -- BMW, Mini and Rolls Royce -- in 2004.
06-25-2004, 01:56 PM
#25
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What's with all the minivan hating? I like performance cars as much as the other guy but minivans have more practical utility than any midsize SUV. I have 2G Nissan Quest (my 2nd); though its not glamorous, it has sufficient performance, decent gas mileage and you never have to worry about it tipping over if you hit the twisties at speed.
For the money, minivans are BY FAR the most useful vehicle on the road. Bar none.
As for the BMW, they'll be hard pressed to top the Sienna XLE Limited in terms of features/quality:price ratio. But I'm glad to see that they're willing to try. $.02
For the money, minivans are BY FAR the most useful vehicle on the road. Bar none.
As for the BMW, they'll be hard pressed to top the Sienna XLE Limited in terms of features/quality:price ratio. But I'm glad to see that they're willing to try. $.02
10-05-2004, 09:46 PM
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BMW considering sport wagon; goal to boost space without sacrificing performance - - By DIANA T. KURYLKO | Automotive News - - Source: Autoweek
PARIS -- BMW won't build a minivan, but it is still considering vehicles that offer the interior room of a minivan.
Helmut Panke, CEO of BMW, says the automaker "will never bring a minivan" to the market. But it is looking at concepts for roomier vehicles that would not sacrifice BMW performance, he says.
...
PARIS -- BMW won't build a minivan, but it is still considering vehicles that offer the interior room of a minivan.
Helmut Panke, CEO of BMW, says the automaker "will never bring a minivan" to the market. But it is looking at concepts for roomier vehicles that would not sacrifice BMW performance, he says.
...
10-05-2004, 09:50 PM
#27
Well it's either going to be a full size SUV or something else, cause saying they won't build a minivan and then release something like those Mercedes concepts just unveiled in Paris, or the Chrysler Pacifica, and not call them minivans...not convincing,
10-06-2004, 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Minvan is BETTER than a SUV. SO it's cool to build BMW SUVs but not a Van? When a Van would drive more like a BMW?
to your post. It'd be MUCH easier to make a minivan BMW like (read: balance) than an SUV. The COG of a minivan gives it a decided advantage over SUV (except maybe the FX and Cayenne, both of which have considerably tuned sport suspension). But it does sound like BMW is looking to make a German version of Caddy's SRX though. That's not a bad thing.
02-07-2005, 11:31 AM
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BMW says new multipurpose vehicle will ride on large SUV platform - - By Wolfgang Eschment - AUTOMOBILEWOCHE - - Source: Autoweek
BMW will use its large SUV platform as the basis for its much-discussed multipurpose vehicle.
"We have made this fundamental decision," Burkhard Goeschel, BMW's board member in charge of r&d, told Automobilwoche, a sister publication of AutoWeek.
Company officials say the multipurpose vehicle will share its platform with the successor to the X5 SUV, due at the end of 2006.
That means the multipurpose vehicle is likely to be produced alongside the next X5 in Spartanburg, S.C. BMW won't confirm where the car will be built, but it does expect the United States to be the top sales market for the new model.
Goeschel's demand for "maximum space" for the multipurpose vehicle meant that the platform for the BMW X3 SUV would be too small. The multipurpose vehicle will have up to seven seats. The X3 is built for BMW by contract assembler Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.
A decision on the multipurpose vehicle's final shape is expected before the end of 2005. The car's world premiere is set for 2007, with sales starting in early 2008
"We have made this fundamental decision," Burkhard Goeschel, BMW's board member in charge of r&d, told Automobilwoche, a sister publication of AutoWeek.
Company officials say the multipurpose vehicle will share its platform with the successor to the X5 SUV, due at the end of 2006.
That means the multipurpose vehicle is likely to be produced alongside the next X5 in Spartanburg, S.C. BMW won't confirm where the car will be built, but it does expect the United States to be the top sales market for the new model.
Goeschel's demand for "maximum space" for the multipurpose vehicle meant that the platform for the BMW X3 SUV would be too small. The multipurpose vehicle will have up to seven seats. The X3 is built for BMW by contract assembler Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.
A decision on the multipurpose vehicle's final shape is expected before the end of 2005. The car's world premiere is set for 2007, with sales starting in early 2008
02-07-2005, 11:35 AM
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A couple of things:
1. Note that MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) is the denotation/acronym used in Europe for what we call Minivans here in the USA.
2. Note above that on 10-5-2004, there is a quote from Panke himself:
3. Combine that with my conversation with Helmut Panke a month ago in Munich indirectly "confirming" that the minivan is at the last round of review and you can understand that this vehicle must have caused a ton of controversy internally for BMW.
One thing I am confused about is, why the use of the X5 platform? I was under the impression that this is more of a "truck" type of platform. Minivans are pretty much always (if not always), based on car platforms. Unless if the next generation X5 platform has been switched to a unibody car paltform and I missed it.
1. Note that MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) is the denotation/acronym used in Europe for what we call Minivans here in the USA.
2. Note above that on 10-5-2004, there is a quote from Panke himself:
"Helmut Panke, CEO of BMW, says the automaker "will never bring a minivan" to the market. But it is looking at concepts for roomier vehicles that would not sacrifice BMW performance, he says."
One thing I am confused about is, why the use of the X5 platform? I was under the impression that this is more of a "truck" type of platform. Minivans are pretty much always (if not always), based on car platforms. Unless if the next generation X5 platform has been switched to a unibody car paltform and I missed it.
02-07-2005, 11:38 AM
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I would not be surprised if this vehicle was a "new type of minivan" whatever that means. I am not expecting it to revolutionize the segment but it will certainly bring elements never seen before in this segment of offerings.
Overall I think BMW is doing the right thing here and it's good for us...the car enthusiasts, with no kids yet...so that when the need arises, we have a better choice than the...Caravan (or even the Sienna) to chose from.
It will also help BMW from a revenue perspective. The company is indeed firing on all 8 cylinders financially and from an operations standpoint. Good for them.
Overall I think BMW is doing the right thing here and it's good for us...the car enthusiasts, with no kids yet...so that when the need arises, we have a better choice than the...Caravan (or even the Sienna) to chose from.
It will also help BMW from a revenue perspective. The company is indeed firing on all 8 cylinders financially and from an operations standpoint. Good for them.
BMW and Minivan somehow just don't belong in the same sentence...
02-07-2005, 11:41 AM
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Last night on TOP GEAR, they reviewed the 1 series. It was a unanimous thumbs down to the car. And they were really worried where BMW is going. That was the worst review of a BMW that they have done, next to the X3.
02-07-2005, 11:51 AM
#37
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Originally Posted by gavriil
I would not be surprised if this vehicle was a "new type of minivan" whatever that means. I am not expecting it to revolutionize the segment but it will certainly bring elements never seen before in this segment of offerings.
Overall I think BMW is doing the right thing here and it's good for us...the car enthusiasts, with no kids yet...so that when the need arises, we have a better choice than the...Caravan (or even the Sienna) to chose from.
It will also help BMW from a revenue perspective. The company is indeed firing on all 8 cylinders financially and from an operations standpoint. Good for them.
Overall I think BMW is doing the right thing here and it's good for us...the car enthusiasts, with no kids yet...so that when the need arises, we have a better choice than the...Caravan (or even the Sienna) to chose from.
It will also help BMW from a revenue perspective. The company is indeed firing on all 8 cylinders financially and from an operations standpoint. Good for them.
Don't forget the Ody.
This is great news but I'd expect this thing to priced well out of the range of most common MiniVan shoppers.
02-07-2005, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by MADCAT
Last night on TOP GEAR, they reviewed the 1 series. It was a unanimous thumbs down to the car. And they were really worried where BMW is going. That was the worst review of a BMW that they have done, next to the X3.
What channel does TOP GEAR play at please?
02-07-2005, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gavriil
One thing I am confused about is, why the use of the X5 platform? I was under the impression that this is more of a "truck" type of platform. Minivans are pretty much always (if not always), based on car platforms. Unless if the next generation X5 platform has been switched to a unibody car paltform and I missed it.
02-07-2005, 12:34 PM
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BBC WORLD at Sunday 8:30pm Eastern time. Its like no other car show. More of a movie/TV show. The review of the G-Wagon was simply amazing. As if you were watching a action/thriller movie.
Originally Posted by gavriil
What channel does TOP GEAR play at please?