The prototype seen here is still wearing an E91 3-series wagon body but with a new front-end attached. This is likely because engineers are conducting engine and air-flow tests. Mechanicals will be borrowed from the regular 3-series and X3 SUV, and both RWD and xDrive AWD configurations will be offered. Power will come from a range of four and six cylinder engines.
Though the car’s name is yet to be revealed, earlier reports suggested the new model will be called the V3 and will be the first addition of a new V-series of vehicles.
The idea for the new V-series first came under consideration back in 2004 but was put on hold due to a lack of resources and the ongoing development of several other key models. BMW’s new chairman, Norbert Reithofer, was reluctant to enter another segment but surging demand for crossovers both in Europe and the U.S. appears to have changed that. As these spy shots reveal BMW is still in the early stages of testing, which means the new model won’t arrive in showrooms for several years at least.
BMW V3 spy shots
BMW V3 renderings
Reader Comments
Tue May 20 2008 10:20 PM
Gus says
Does anyone have more different models than BMW?
Tue May 20 2008 10:58 PM
Wizards Lore says
does anyone actually care about what BMW are bringing out ?...im bored with their model selections..
Tue May 20 2008 11:38 PM
James says
BMW should really consider a new brand for these "anti" Bimmers, starting with the X6 and now this travesty. In addition to stopping the dilution of BMW a new brand will give Chris "Yeah, I'm Blind, So What?" Bangle a new playground in which to experiment like the mad scientist he is.
Wed May 21 2008 1:41 AM
Wizards Lore says
I had a thought and it might work ...what if BMW had different versions of the Propeller badge???
Blue / White - stock standard vanilla cars (3 series, 5 series, 7 series)
Red / White - the sports versions of the vanilla cars (M series)
Green / White - the green versions of the vanilla cars (Hybrids, dual fuels, possibly diesels)
Black / White - The suv versions (X3, X5, X6)
they could defer complete divisions to designing cars for that particular branch of BMW...
My Name is Wizards Lore and i have patented this idea.... :-)
Wed May 21 2008 3:51 AM
admin says
We know for a fact that a LOT of BMW employees read this site so don't be surprised if you see that in the future :p
Wed May 21 2008 4:14 AM
HECTOR says
Gus: to answer your question: MB does.
And I have been saying this for a long time now. By making cars for everybody and their dogs the big German 3 are diluting their brands. Twenty years ago you were driving an MB (and to lesser extents BMWs and Audis) and it was a sign that you had arrived, you had made it. Now it's a sign that you can afford (or maybe not) one of the 73 different kinds of car each brand offers. It's not special anymore.
When the *peoples car* has a smaller model range than the Deutsch Big 3 there's something wrong there...
Wed May 21 2008 6:17 AM
chris says
Wizard; compliments. thats a pretty good idea all in all. Really. won't happen, not one bit,... but it definitely would be interesting thats for sure.
Hector; at first glance I thought you said "the Douche Bag 3"... and I thought "damn.. thats a little harsh"... I don't think these brands have lost an ounce of prestige. the 3 series has always been a pretty affordable car, when you think about it, and so has the C class. when you talk 7 series and S class... those will always turn heads. They aren't hand built cars like ferrari or lambo,... so automatically you dont have that kind of prestige. The brands are still prestigeous, much more so than any other brand. "I can afford a big caddilac,... but i cant afford a big bmw... i can only get my foot in the door with a 1 series,.. and I dont want to crawl into my car.." BMW's and MB's are still markedly higher valued than any other vehicle in its class and thats all that matters.
they're just offering variants. really dont see what the big deal is. this is basically the 3 series wagon.
Wed May 21 2008 10:06 AM
Gus says
It's no big deal, but man, when I was in high school (1988) there were, I think, 3 or 4 models to choose from. There was the 325i, the 535i, the 633CSi, and then the 735i, and the numbers actually stood for the displacement.
Benz had the 190E, the 300E, the 560SEC, and the 560SL.
As far as the multicolored badges, good idea, but I think the blue thing will stay just because of the Bavarian flag...
Wed May 21 2008 4:20 PM
Craig S says
Gus, I agree that BMW (and others) are expanding their brands offering and at the same time diluting their brands value and perception of their products howerever things have certainly changed since 1988 and the automotive market is so different today that the brands now need to produce varied and numerous products in order to survive.
However, I do feel that some products are obvious derivitives of their existing products and are rushed to market. Take this 3-series wagon/SUV which in my opinion is so ugly. I've owned a 2002 X5 3.0 and a 2006 335xi. My X5 was my favourite vehicle I've ever owned. It was practical, classy and I had the 5spd manual version which was so much fun to drive. The 335xi was the exact opposite. I had so many problems with the car from the beginning. It was back at the dealer for repairs 5 times in 7 months. After 9 months I bit the bullet and sold the car. I'll never touch another 3-series as long as I live. Even now, the BMW has become bland.
Wed May 21 2008 7:57 PM
HECTOR says
Chris: Once more I have to salute you, today because you think the 3 series is *affordable*. I really don't know how much a 3 series costs but with the tool-mobile known as the 135 starts at $43K or so I say the 3 series is out of my range of affordability.
The 7 series and the S class do turn heads as in * OMFG what the hell were they thinking putting that ass / clown wheel arches on that BMW / MB!! * And that's before they look at the interiors. * WTF do you mean the gearshift lever is a stalk in the steering column* and also *you've got to be joking me, that can't be the interior of an MB!!! *
There's already a 3 series wagon. It's called the 3 series wagon. This is not a 3 series wagon.
Wed May 21 2008 8:00 PM
admin says
A 335i sedan starts from $38K. No idea where you got that $43k figure from?
The most offensive luxury car I've driven is the ML500. That interior is so awful and plasticky it's not even funny. If I paid good money for it I'd be pissed off and that level of quality. Also the handling is pretty awful compared to the X5.
Wed May 21 2008 8:22 PM
Craig S says
Admin,
I agree, the ML's are very cheap and platicy inside but the current X5 has also slipped compared the the 2002 X5 I owned. Just as a comment, the X5 is a sports activity (SUV) vehicle and the ML is sold as a luxury SUV so the X5 will handle better.
Yes, the 335i starts at $38K which doesn't include paint or anything else. Realistically it will be in the low to mid $40K range with a few options.
Thu May 22 2008 4:21 PM
brian says
yawnnnn any station wagon?
Thu May 22 2008 7:00 PM
Wizards Lore says
admin May 21, 2008 | 3:51 am
We know for a fact that a LOT of BMW employees read this site so don’t be surprised if you see that in the future :p
Cheers please feel free to pass on my contact details :-) I also have good design ideas for future models..
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