Today we bring you images of the PAS Concept. We will analyze this vehicle in terms of appearance and purpose over the next day or so but in the mean-time we would love to hear your impressions.
We expect the production version to be very similar to this “concept” minus the color palette as BMW has been introducing most model concepts in near production form.
BMW USA is introducing a two payment program for select models throughout its vehicle line-up. In this initiative, BMW will make the first two payments (up to $750 per month / $1,500 max.) for vehicles financed through BMW Financial Services. The program is available for 18 different BMW models, including a choice of BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, and X5 models.
The offer can be combined with current APR financing offers ranging from 0.9% to 3.9%. For two of BMW’s most popular models, the 328i and the 528i (both rear wheel and xDrive versions; 2009 models), APR financing of 0.9% for up to 60 months is available through March 31.
While we missed official coverage of both the Detroit and LA Auto Shows due to schedule conflicts, we managed to make it to the Chicago Auto Show for the 6th year in a row. Billed as the nations largest show (and arguably the largest in the world when it come to square footage) Chicago had a slightly more upbeat if not quiet atmosphere than Detroit. Gone was some of the lavish lunches and parties and in their places were straight forward press conferences and with little in the way of press swag.
But with that said we did get a chance to talk with engineers, designers and other associated with the industry as well as of course poke, prod and play with every machine on the floor. Always well worth the visit. So with that, here’s our best and worst of the show:
Best new production car: The Z4 takes it from the R57 MINI convertible if only because it truly is a totally new car rather than version of another (the R56)
Best concept: Chevy Volt. I cannot believe how much I liked this car. Granted I’ll never own one and it’s clearly not built with an enthusiast in mind, but it’s such a forward thinking car and looks so much more interesting than the new Prius.
Most disappointing: 2010 Mazda 3. What a terrible redesign. As big fans of the previous 3, we were appalled what this car has turned into. Of course a close second was the MX5 (Miata) redesigned front end.
Manufacturer most obvious to go bankrupt: Chrysler. The lack of press interest in that part of the show floor was nothing less than erie.
With the BMW PAS going to be unveiled in Geneva there have been teaser videos, newer spy shots and now a possible leak. We are not sure why they would purposely leak something so late in the game as the official press packet is due out tomorrow whenever BMW decides to let the cat out of the bag…. as 2/11 is what we heard from several sources (we will of course get you the photos as soon as they become available).
Here is the reportedly “leaked” image of the White PAS and the others are photoshops but are fairly spot on to the the white one with a few subtle differences (exhaust). Whether it is truly leaked or just a chop is up for debate but either way this car (or whatever you want to call it!) is going to be in class all by itself for at least a few weeks.
BMW Press Release Revenues of the BMW Group declined only moderately in 2008 despite the worldwide financial and economic crisis. Group revenues decreased by 5.0% to euro 53,197 million (2007: euro 56,018 million). Revenues of the Automobiles segment dropped to euro 48,782 million (2007: euro 53,818 million /-9.4%) reflecting lower sales volumes. The Motorcycles segment reported sales of euro 1,230 million (2007: euro 1,228 million / +0.2%), whilst the Financial Services segment increased its revenues by 12.8% to euro 15,725 million (2007: euro 13,940 million).
BMW Press Release: Ongoing challenges in the global automotive markets resulted in a decrease in sales at the BMW Group in January. In the month under review the Group sold 70,405 (prev.yr.: 92,849) vehicles of its three automobile brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce – 24.2% fewer than in January 2008.
In the first month of the new year the BMW brand reported 60,248 (prev.yr.: 77,351) deliveries – 22.1% lower than for the same period last year.
Chris Bangle is leaving BMW after creating nothing short of a revolution. He may not have directly designed the cars during his tenure at BMW but he inspired the design team to create an entirely new design language and he inspired the public to think about automotive design in a deeper way than they ever had before.
I am unapologetic in my admiration for Chris Bangle and his ideas on form and how it relates to our lives. As someone who inspires in the field of design he’s almost unequalled. I challenge you to listen to any of his lectures (a few can be found on iTunes) and not be blown away by the intelligence, enthusiasm and grace that you hear. And don’t overlook that hint of humility in his voice either. This is a man who has weathered the most fierce criticism imaginable for a man in his shoes and come out with nothing but a grace and humility. Two attributes that are not readily found in any field of design.
Bangle’s design team did not always create the most beautiful cars on the planet. The E65 7 Series is not a classically pretty design; but what it does do is create tension in the way that the world’s greatest architecture can. It begs the question: Why does everything have to be classically beautiful? Good design evokes emotion and lasting appreciation. It is engaging and full of character brought on by human solutions to real issues. Strip away the pretense of beauty and look at the problems that Bangle (and Hooydonk – the designer of the E65) were solving and you start to appreciate the level of complexity and thought behind every form. And it’s not just solving problems but creating a form language and an iconic look (that works at both a psychological and technical level) that Bangle succeeded at with this and every product under his eye at BMW.
In addition to some photos from the inbox, our friends over at BimmerPost have also scooped some photos of the next generation X3 wearing some pasties out in the snow. From the looks of this machine BMW has gone sporty this go around; and it is a good thing since the competition has expanded and greatly improved.
As many may know by now, this new generation of X3 will move production to the good old US of A from it’s current birth place at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria. The South Carolina plant expansion must be complete before they can start rolling off the line and it is anyones’ guess at the moment when that will be. Note the slope to the roof now that some of the cladding has been removed. Enjoy!
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: Concept, F07 PAS, In the Press Feb 13th, 2009 18 Comments 
