The first real look at the BMW V-Series

well, that's a good looking minivan I suppose but how big is the market for a sporty minivan? People aren't not buying the R-class because it's unattractive. It's a good looking van and very nice inside and out. They're not buying it because it's hard to justify spending $50-60k+ on a minivan when an SUV is "cooler" (GL450, Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, etc.) and the Odyssey and Sienna are also super nice for $15-25k less.

This is not a minivan! My favorite in this type of vehicle remains the Q7 because of its superior AWD system.

nice looking mini van

The point of the minivan is practicality, or the opposite of what BMW is. The MB is uglier than the Aztek, this BMW minivan is right behind.

Under current model definitions I believe this would qualify as a minivan. Same as the Pacifica, PT Cruiser, HHR. Until the minivan/wagon market is coined with a phrase, such as the SUV/wagon market became the CUV,vehicles like this will continue to fall under the minivan moniker.

However to say this vehicle is uglier than an Aztec, well lets not go overboard here. Just because most of us don't like minvans dosent mean that we automatically call it uglier than the ugliest car ever made.

WHY!!

What are they thinking???!!!

Wow the worlds most aggressive mini-van, and yet it's still a mini-van, ugh. Just say no BMW.

would have to agree with Jrob there. It's definitely an attractive minivan, but at that price and 'size' you might as well just get an even more impressive SUV. No matter how muscular you make a minivan look, it's still a minivan and most guys especially would just opt for the SUV.

The r class is not a minivan by most or near ALL standards, and if this is to compete with the R-class (which is why bmw even dares on bringing this hideous thing) then it too will not be in the minivan category. The real Mercedes minivan is the V series that is not sold here in the us. Ive seen them in person, and see why they are not sold here in the US.

dude, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it's a duck. Calling it a moose doesn't make it less of a duck. The R-class is a minivan. Twist it and market it however you want, it's a minivan.

It look pretty good but it look very Japanish as well, especially the front running lights.

No... it looks like a BMW. It's the Japanese that look like BMWs, not the other way around.

Lexus, are you drinking?

This is not japanese design. This is a copy of SSangyong Actyon.
http://www.ssangyong.de/Actyon.128.0.html
Nice, isn't it?

The BMW V doesn't look anything like that Chinese vehicle and you know it.

That front end is the most grotesque proboscis since the Pontiac Aztek...

YIKES!

BTW...

This is simply an artist's illustration, and the actual vehicle will probably look much different.

This looks awesome, but I want the X6.

;)

Shouldn't you focus more on job security, with this sub-prime meltdown and all?

FYI, I'm a big dog in my area.

I will buy the X6 when it's at the Irvine BMW dealer.

LOL the X6 is the UGLIEST car BMW has ever made! I guess it's true that you can't buy good taste Mr. "Big Dog"

^Oh, is that area the vaunted 'La La Land'?

I guess if you think living in an area where all the auto manufactures have design centers is la la land then I guess youre right ;)

I am also a big dog in my area... I am the one the dealer is giving their one and only CLK63 Black Series to out of the 5-7 people behind me on the list. And I dont see how being a big dog matters when you will be buying a car that is relatively unlimited in production numbers. The CLK on the other hand will be one of only 350 built.

awful!!!!

It's awful Lexus doesn't have a vehicle to compete with the BMW V-Series.

;)

By 'awful', do you mean fortunate?

Just like the Chrysler Pacifica and MB R class, stuck between being a mini van and a station wagon. So what do you call these vehicles?

Station van.

i don't think bmw needs the v series, i think the 3 & 5 series wagons, and the x3 and x5 is enough, I would prefer a long wheel base x5 instead the v series minivan

I must say this looks sexy if I had a family of five a would definetly buy this. I honestly think the Oddessy looks pimp this just raised the bar a next level, I hope they introduce this and say goodbye to the soccer mom sterotype.

The side looks like a stretched MB "B" class..

BMW put a lot of research into this vehicle.

It will sell because of that research.

Get a clue all you anti-BMW people!

What if your precious Buick brand comes out with a competitor?

It looks pretty good for a minivan! Well done!

the v series is bmw's first attempt at building a sedan, or stationwagon, on a suv platform which allows it to shorten the overhang, elongate the cabin and utilize larger wheels, like audi's MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which the a5 and q5 both use or mercedes future f700 class which may replace the s class. this is another current trend which makers are exploring.

the v? in the pic is a good entry design transitioning from suv to sedan form. it looks alright looking and a glimpse of future bmws which looks to be getting better.

i can almost bet that bmw's 4 door coupe will use this platform.

I think BMW can fare well with a V-Series. The rendering shows a well proportioned and attractive design that I personally like.

The big SUV train has left the station. Wagons and Cross overs will lead the immediate future.

It Mercedes had not designed such an abominably ugly mess in their R-Class, I would have bought one last year in my Crossover shopping tryst. I liked its utility. I liked its handling and performance. The price was even fair for what it was.

I just could not get past the fact that it looks like some kind of LSD induced joke on consumers who would be stupid enough to be seen in it.

Looks like they are trying to compete with subaru.

I don't think BMW really gives a damn about competing with Subaru or any near-luxury brand.

Pretty good looking, just a boring segment of cars :)

The only thing cars like this do is fill a void that wasn't there to begin with. I mean, does it even have a 3rd row? It makes no sense(R-Class included) not to have a 3rd row when your auto is just as big and even bigger than its competition that do offer 3rd row seating.

The R-Class has a third row.

You're right, it wouldn't make sense for this not to have one, which is why it will.

That's one slick tourer. BMW has effectively taken what Chysler could've done and what Benz should've done and created a sporty people-mover that's immediately recognizable as a BMW and emphasizes a certain "joy of driving" for people who hate minivans.

If the production model looks anything like that, they'll have my business for sure.

...also...the overall design is slow-slung crossover SUV (think GMC Acadia with a lot more character) that maximizes interior space for a mature utility vehicle that's sure-footed in the city, comfortable on the highway, and won't look out-of-place in any situation...except off-road driving.

This is a minivan by all standards. And a very ugly one at best. BMW has gone mad, first the X6 and now this ugly beast.

This should not be on AutoSpies.com. Rather, it should be in Good Housekeeping or Redbook. C'mon, Agent 001.

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^ Since when is a photoshop CGI a real deal ?!

I mean are we 5 year olds in here ?!

UBER MINIVAN...lol. What next? And why compete with MB minivan R serives when not selling well???