BMW has announced that its all-electric “Megacity Vehicle” line will launc in 2013. This line of vehicles was designed from the ground up to be fully electric vehicles and will be significantly lighter than conventional cars with heavy use of carbon fiber. It will be a zero-emission urban car for the world’s metropolitan regions. It is currently being developed as part of project i and will be available from 2013 under a sub-brand of BMW.
New trademarks registered by BMW gives some insight into new model lineups that will eventually be added to BMW’s offerings. The new names include: i1, i2, i3, i4, i5, i6, i7, i8, i9, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, M50d, Urbanic, Gran Coupe, Compactive, and Compactive Tourer.
The “i” lineup of cars could very well be used to designate the sub-compact electric megacity vehicle we’ve been hearing about for a while. The “E” lineup of cars could possibly be used to designate electric versions of current BMW models. “M50d” is speculated to refer to a tri-turbo diesel. “Urbanic” could be a new trim level associated with the megacity vehicles. And “Compactive and “Compactive Tourer” could be applied to wagons based on the 1- and … CONTINUED
According to a local Washington State TV station BMW and partner SGL are looking at several locations in North America to build a plant specifically for producing carbon fiber material likely for the upcoming iSetta range of cars. According to sources BMW is looking at a location near Moses Lake Washington (US) and an unnamed Canadian city. The project is so secret that those inside the Washington county where Moses Lake resides are only calling it
BMW has finally announced some more news regarding its Megacity Vehicle (aka Isetta) being developed under its project i program. The BMW sub-brand Isetta will produce high efficiency electric vehicles and is expected to come to market by at least 2015. Here is the press release:
According to Auto Motor Und, BMW is expanding its lineup with 2 small models in 2014 – a “Mini” BMW and the BMW City car. The “Mini” BMW will compete with the Mercedes A class and upcoming Audi A1 with a 3 cylinder engine good for 90-170 hp. The other is what the mag is calling “BMW City / Mega City” and is being developed under Project i, BMWs city car and super efficient car program. It’s 4 meters, seats 4, is lighweight, powered by 167hp/250tq electric engine which has range of 160km. This car will have a two seat version as well.
BMW Concept ActiveE
BMWs vision for the future of the megacity vehicle, dubbed Project-i (Isetta?) comes in the form of this 1-series coupe modified to run on electricity.
For the next major autoshow on schedule, the International Autoshow at Detroit, BMW will bring this car to follow-up the VisionED concept car.
BMW maintains its goals of combining the green energy push with its own motto of "sheer driving pleasure" or "joy". They have aimed to make this car fun to drive, with a good amount of torque and power.
The Engine and Drivetrain
The engine itself is a uniquely derived unit that produced 170hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. … CONTINUED
BMW’s “Project i” city car may be dubbed the “City” and be an all electric car, smaller than a Honda Fit and provide a 100-mile range; while keeping BMW styling and proportion.
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AutoExpress UK provides some further insight into the revival of BMW’s mini-car, the Isetta. The publication speculates that the Isetta could appear in UK showrooms as early as 2011.
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BMW insider Scott26 gives us another gem in the form of information about the upcoming BMW Z2 which will apparently be a part of the Project-i which includes hybrid and electric powered vehicles!
