BMW’s baby confirmed - New city car from BMW is given green light

jorgex · 03-27-2008, 03:57 PM

It's official – BMW is working on a top-secret new eco-friendly model which could mark the rebirth of the famous Isetta badge.

Auto Express first broke news of the plans to revive the name on a green city runabout back in Issue 989, and now company chairman Norbert Reit*hofer has revealed further details of the programme.

The initiative, known internally as Project i, includes development of an all-new urban runabout that will com*plement the existing BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce ranges. Accord*ing to Reithofer, the i stands for innovation, rather than Isetta – although bringing back the brand behind the original microcar would make perfect sense for the German firm’s fourth potential model line-up.

Engineers working on the project are currently evaluating which technologies the Smart ForTwo rival will use, with advanced electric systems and fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powerplants under consideration. “We will look at all these things before we decide whether this might be a sub-brand for BMW or MINI, or whether it is a standalone marque,” said Reithofer.

The firm already has a hybrid version of its new X6 cross*over SUV in the pipeline, while its Efficient Dynamics technologies are available on MINI and BMW road cars. They include a stop-start system to cut CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy, and a clever set-up that harnesses energy generated under braking to recharge the battery. Aerodynamic tweaks to items such as the wheels and wing mirrors also help to minimise drag.

The original Isetta bubble car was a hit in the Fifties and measured only 2.4 metres long. However, while that was a three-wheeler, its modern day successor will get four wheels and a reverse gear – the original version famously did without one. There is no fixed timeframe for the new model, but a design study of the eco machine is expected by 2010

boymonkey · 03-27-2008, 04:08 PM

Is the original the three-wheel car in Mr. Bean?

Dragonman4 · 03-27-2008, 05:16 PM

the new isetta? at least it looks better than the stupid gee whiz.

335i4u2nv · 03-27-2008, 05:21 PM

smart car FTW!!!

Year's_End · 03-27-2008, 05:37 PM

As long as it's fun I'm all for it. It won't tarnish the brand name, so I could care less with what they do to it really.

Kiemyster · 03-31-2008, 09:18 PM

fuck... i hope this never becomes a realit.

E90SLAM · 04-01-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwirobbie

The Mr Bean car is a Reliant Robin.

Featured in Top Gear before!!!

gadget · 04-01-2008, 12:36 PM

IF BMW ever makes this POS it will be sold as a mini, BMW would be stupid to start putting thier badge on cheap little cars- the 1 is a low as they should go.

x5love · 04-01-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadget

IF BMW ever makes this POS it will be sold as a mini, BMW would be stupid to start putting thier badge on cheap little cars- the 1 is a low as they should go.

Yea, what would they name this car... the 0 series???

I think this little green car could be a good idea. I was thinking it'd be something more the size of a Mini but focused much less on performance and a lot more on efficiency and being green. I don' think we need more tiny Smart Cars driving around--sure they're cheap and efficient but DANGEROUS. Especially in America, what if they get hit by a Tahoe or something?

BK · 04-01-2008, 05:31 PM

Today is April 1st. Unfortunately, the original post was not today, so I guess it is serious.

cgnahc · 04-01-2008, 09:36 PM

Noooooooooooo!

E90330iS · 04-02-2008, 12:23 AM

kinda stupid.. Mini is small enough

03-27-2008, 03:57 PM	#1
jorgex Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 251 Posts Drives: F30 - E92, E90, E46 (Retired) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Portugal iTrader: (0) Garage List 07/2005 (Production ... [0.00] 06/2001 (Production ... [0.00]	BMW’s baby confirmed - New city car from BMW is given green light It's official – BMW is working on a top-secret new eco-friendly model which could mark the rebirth of the famous Isetta badge. Auto Express first broke news of the plans to revive the name on a green city runabout back in Issue 989, and now company chairman Norbert Reithofer has revealed further details of the programme. The initiative, known internally as Project i, includes development of an all-new urban runabout that will complement the existing BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce ranges. According to Reithofer, the i stands for innovation, rather than Isetta – although bringing back the brand behind the original microcar would make perfect sense for the German firm’s fourth potential model line-up. Engineers working on the project are currently evaluating which technologies the Smart ForTwo rival will use, with advanced electric systems and fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powerplants under consideration. “We will look at all these things before we decide whether this might be a sub-brand for BMW or MINI, or whether it is a standalone marque,” said Reithofer. The firm already has a hybrid version of its new X6 crossover SUV in the pipeline, while its Efficient Dynamics technologies are available on MINI and BMW road cars. They include a stop-start system to cut CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy, and a clever set-up that harnesses energy generated under braking to recharge the battery. Aerodynamic tweaks to items such as the wheels and wing mirrors also help to minimise drag. The original Isetta bubble car was a hit in the Fifties and measured only 2.4 metres long. However, while that was a three-wheeler, its modern day successor will get four wheels and a reverse gear – the original version famously did without one. There is no fixed timeframe for the new model, but a design study of the eco machine is expected by 2010 Attached Images
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03-27-2008, 04:08 PM	#2
boymonkey Lieutenant 41 Rep 530 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Is the original the three-wheel car in Mr. Bean?
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03-27-2008, 05:16 PM	#3
Dragonman4 Brigadier General 95 Rep 3,709 Posts Drives: 996tt Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tri-state iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00]	the new isetta? at least it looks better than the stupid gee whiz. __________________ OG E90 Pwhore 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo Cobalt Blue (BLU 996) - 500+hp of mods. 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser (Batmobile) -TRD stuff 2009 Merc C-350: AMG package, loaded 2008 E92 335xi - Gone
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03-27-2008, 05:21 PM	#4
335i4u2nv Colonel 69 Rep 2,765 Posts Drives: 335i e9O sL0w Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: im right behind u iTrader: (0)	smart car FTW!!!
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03-27-2008, 05:37 PM	#5
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1234 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	As long as it's fun I'm all for it. It won't tarnish the brand name, so I could care less with what they do to it really. __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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03-31-2008, 09:18 PM	#6
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 476 Rep 3,202 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	fuck... i hope this never becomes a realit. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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04-01-2008, 12:36 PM	#8
gadget Major 112 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: 09 e92///M SSII DCT Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: US iTrader: (0)	IF BMW ever makes this POS it will be sold as a mini, BMW would be stupid to start putting thier badge on cheap little cars- the 1 is a low as they should go.
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04-01-2008, 05:31 PM	#10
BK Smiling politely 176 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	Today is April 1st. Unfortunately, the original post was not today, so I guess it is serious. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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04-01-2008, 09:36 PM	#11
cgnahc Major 86 Rep 1,263 Posts Drives: TiAg E90 ZSP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westlake Village, CA iTrader: (9)	Noooooooooooo! __________________ Need someone to install angle eye bulbs December 2018
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04-02-2008, 12:23 AM	#12
E90330iS Major General 147 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	kinda stupid.. Mini is small enough __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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