On video: BMW’s first proper family car

Having taken the premium SUV segment by storm, BMW will branch out into yet another area of the new car market in 2009 when it launches its first pseudo-MPV, or Progressive Activity Sedan, as it calls it. Autocar’s spies caught the ‘PAS’ – which could carry the name ‘V5’ when it shows up on our roads the year-after-next – circulating the roads around Munich only last week, and these are their exclusive video shots of the car.The ‘PAS’ will be based on the next 5-series platform, but expect it to be a much more practical car. It’ll have a higher roofline than the Five, a higher driving position, more passenger space and a much bigger boot, accessed by a large hatchback.Industry experts are predicting that a concept car previewing the ‘PAS’ will be shown at a motor show in 2008. When the car comes to market, it’ll be powered by a choice of four-, six- and eight-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel engines, but it’ll be rear-wheel driven only, and priced more competitively than Mercedes’ slow-selling R-class.