BMW has approved development of a new crossover vehicle based on its popular 3-Series line, according to a new report. Company insiders told AutoWeek the new model — codenamed F3 — will probably arrive as a 2010 model.
The vehicle will likely resemble the 3-Series, looking more similar to a station wagon than the truck-like X3. Something like a compact Mercedes-Benz R-Class , the F3 will target the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 .
The source told the magazine BMW ’s new chairman, Norbert Reithofer gave the project a “definite thumbs up,” after years of deliberation by previous management. The car will provide “the high seating position of a sport/utility vehicle with the space afforded by a traditional station wagon,” the source told AutoWeek.
BMW is also said to be planning a direct rival to the Mercedes R-Class, based on the 5-Series. The project is known internally as RFK or F5.
