BMW xActivity concept
by Nick Hull

BMW’s latest 'Sports Activity Vehicle' gives some indication of what to expect from any future extension of the X range, combining dynamic looks, on-road driving characteristics, versatility and off-road abilities.

The xActivity, designed as a "frame-structure convertible", features proportions and design elements clearly linking it to the X5, but also individual qualities that look ahead to what future BMW SAVs may feature.

Styling direction shows a much more constructed treatment of surfaces than the random ‘flame surfacing’ seen on the Z4 and X-Coupe, particularly the side view and around the front bumper area. The side view has an unusual double shoulder line, with a second crisp shoulder surface running through the door handles. The X5 theme of an ‘upper body like a Touring, lower body as SUV’ remains, but is confined to much smaller areas than the X5 [wheelarch lips, lower bumper cheeks & sill] and the softness of the X5 is replaced with a quite chiselled look.

Headlamps have a new design treatment with a DI strip through the centre of the twin lamps and an outline which wraps around the corner and rolls over the hood top. Also new is the C-pillar design where the familiar BMW ‘hockey stick’ has become a bold kick-up line, heavily underscored with wide brushed aluminium finisher – will this become a new distinctive BMW feature?

The concept of no B or C-pillar, and with 3 glass panes dropping into the bodyside is an interesting new twist and adds to the appeal over a lifestyle wagon. It also moves the baby SUV game on from Liberty / Freelander / CRV genre. The good news is that many of the showcar features, such as the open roof, are likely to remain on the production X3 to be launched early in 2004, although they may be restricted to a special lifestyle version to be called ATC - “All Terrain Cruiser”. Unlike the X5, the production X3 will be built in Austria.

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