With upcoming revised EPA standards many luxury manufacturers like BMW are looking for ways to avoid, or at least reduce fines for not meeting fuel economy requirements in the U.S. The latest report on the BMW Isetta concept car claims that BMW still has serious intention to produce a new small car, and it will likely be based on the Toyota iQ platform.
Early on in the Isetta’s rumor-filled life as a concept car there was much talk about a possible BMW-Fiat partnership. By sharing a platform, the Fiat and Bimmer hoped for similar proportions, but unique surface development and brand-specific design cues. The agreement was reportedly made as part of the same deal that will see a new Mini model share the Alfa Romeo Mi.To’s platform.
While the Topolino would have been sold in Europe only, the Isetta has been intended for American consumption (and EPA appeasement). The rear-engine vehicle is billed to come Stateside in 2011 or 2012, just in time to meet California’s laws that would require major car manufacturers to produce a certain amount of zero emission vehicles.
But after the extensive rumors of a BMW-Fiat partnership dissipated, a new rumor emerged that BMW would be instead turning to Toyota for its iQ platform. This arrangement seems more likely as the iQ has already been getting around other automaker’s garages, as seen with the recent Aston Martin Cygnet.
Isetta is the result of BMW’s “Project i unit,” which has been working largely independently to develop electric car technology. BMW has not released any specifics on this technology, but it is expected that some form of pure EV or hybrid technology will eventually make its way into the Isetta production car.
Power for the Isetta will come from a lithium-ion battery pack with a range of about 100 miles as a pure-EV. BMW is also developing a range of gas and diesel engines for the Isetta, although those variants will likely be reserved for developing regions – particularly China.
The production Isetta will likely to seat three passengers, including the driver. This should give Isetta the upper hand over Daimler’s Smart ForTwo.
At this time the latest word from BMW is that the Isetta will be launched as part of a new, fourth brand for BMW as part of Project i. But, BMW explains that it will be a sub-brand, and more along the lines of the ///M branding with its own engineers and designers, but still under the BMW brand.
The final name for the project i brand has not been confirmed.
07/30, 4:37 PM
posted by:
inline6
How interesting…the original Isetta was originally designed and sold by ISO, an old Italian refrigerator and eventual supercar company. Then ISO sold it to BMW, which made their own version of it.
Now Fiat’s going to supply the Isetta platform. It’s all just a little bit of history repeating. Will this thing be marketed in the US as a BMW, or a Mini?
07/30, 4:44 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
It should be sold in the US as a Club Car. Looks like an overgrown golf cart… will probably drive like one too. I prefer my cars with internal combustion engines.
07/30, 4:53 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
The original Isetta was incredibly cool.
The Isetta concept was also cool.
These illustrations have zero appeal. The Toyota IQ looks better than this.
07/30, 5:00 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Isetta should be BMW brand, since it was sold by BMW. However it was not even known stateside and can be sold as anything. Considering that BMW (Mini) is planing to sell Alfa’s Mito, it probably will sell Isetta as well. IN Europe BMW can sell more powerful version for more money then FIAT’s to avoid marketing clash.
07/30, 5:04 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
I expected it to be bad, just not this bad. I like the creative thinking with the design, but nothing about it is innovative, it’s just looks that way.
Now, can we get a Steve Urkel edition? Maybe render it with funky glasses, or jump jets.
07/30, 5:04 PM
posted by:
Flipper
This is the best looking (possible) BMW product I’ve seen years. I really liked the CS, but the new 7 is disappointing and yet its still a HUGE improvement over the current one . I’m wishing this one luck.
07/30, 6:39 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
So many microcars. Where the **** are they?!
07/30, 7:27 PM
posted by:
inline6
1) The Isetta was actually sold in the US, and as a BMW.
2) This is simply an LLN illustration.
07/30, 7:43 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
“Both cars are likely to seat three passengers, including the driver. This should give Isetta the upper hand over Daimler’s Smart ForTwo.”
But it won’t give Isetta the upper hand over the Smart ForThree.
07/30, 8:08 PM
posted by:
razr1983
mobile toilet…
07/31, 3:10 AM
posted by:
Stinky007
Last time I heard news about a new Mini, there were rumors about a BMW-Mercedes collaboration for a common Mini/A-class platform…
07/31, 8:45 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
For those of you who’ve never seen or ridden in the original Isetta, these are the most insanely different vehicles you’ll ever know. All I’m hoping for is they keep the *front door*. (Not likely, given modern safety laws…)
07/31, 9:49 AM
posted by:
shaver
I’ll stay with my shift cart. Even know it only seats one.
07/31, 12:20 PM
posted by:
oldraven
‘riving’? Really? They’re going to tear Abarth in half with a Lotus chassis?
09/26, 3:23 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
bummer that you won’t be able to enter it from the front like the original. What would you call it if its smaller than mini?…. Nano was already taken
11/13, 11:09 AM
posted by:
big o
i certainly hope they dont make it. the last thing we need is some stupid overpriced fiat polluting all of america. besides, i bet it doesnt have any advantages, like BM’s are supposed to.