F5 test mule hits the road

[rodybmw]

For a couple of years now I've been following the rumors of the RFK mainly because it was rumored to be a "people mover". We wanted a replacement for my wife's E53 that would be a 6 or 7 seater. Initially the RFK rumors seemed to indicate that it would indeed be a 6 or 7 seater, but then other rumors were that it would just be a 5 seater. Since it was implied that it was to compete with the R-Class we had hopes that it would have more room for the third row and bigger seats (like the R-Class), when compared with the E70. Looking at the profile and roofline in the following picture I can't see how there could possibly be any head room for a third row. So maybe the E70 with the third row would be a better "people mover" than the RFK.

Could this be the V3/F3 and not the V5/F5? Or could that be a fake rear roofline/rear hatch (highly unlikely since it's easier to make a fake higher roofline like the X6 mules had than a fake lower roofline).

[LeMansX5]

From Scott:

Originally Posted by Scott27

Granted that this is a new direction for BMW and especially in light of the response to the R-Klasse has the media and enthusiasts asking "Is this direction a niche too far?"

When I first saw the RFK it was part of a contingent of marketing and we were simply given the challenge "How can this be marketed?"
This is when one of the finished prototypes was nose to nose with a Mercedes R-Klasse and we were in seats facing both models. We had the design lecture of how form will showcase function etc and you could see the design department were overly enthusiastic and excited by this model.
"It is something neverthought of within this company before " were some of the soundbites given. Although the whole point was to inherit a concept and take it to a new direction .
We were given a task to determine what marketing would be appropriate for this model and without giving away the whole picture away there was nothing about families and space utility as seen on MPV's It was all about the Concept - Premium , Performance and Precision. It was all BMW allbeit with a new shape in premium segment.

The excellent communication from the design department really fires up the commitment from the engineers and the marketing department .
When the design department start talking about their passion and work in their creation , you really want to become a part of it. And you want this car to succeed because it becomes part of you.

You never leave a final design meeting with a frown or puzzled look , The design department always makes sure of that.

As the challenge and spotlight was shown on the X6 the same vehicle mentioned in the same sentence as the RFK. Just as BMW used a concept to introduce the X6 to the world. The same strategy becomes apparent with the RFK as well as a model with either active hybrid or Hydrogen Concept.
A concept car was previously planned for earlier release as BMW considered the RFK to be the more risky concept rather than the X6.

But the poor reception given to the R-Klasse forced this idea to be postponed.
The RFK will enter a new niche as the X6 and still be offered with the similar engine programme including the upcoming Twin-Turbo V8.

The media proclaim this car to be an upmarket MPV - It is not. Like the X6 is performance orientated what with dynamic performance control and latest engine technology.
The RFK will be similar a performance concept with space but will still be a BMW in where it matters, in control , performance , agility and dynamics in an interesting design that I consider to be that there is nothing yet in the market to even equal this car.

[LeMansX5]

[LeMansX5]