In order to comply with upcoming regulations in California as well as major city centers around the world that require zero-emissions vehicles, BMW is preparing its smallest vehicle in recent memory. The small city car, would be called Isetta and be a result of the recently launched Project i unit, charged with developing the car.
The rear-engine vehicle is billed to come Stateside in 2012, just in time to meet California’s laws that would require major car manufacturers to produce a certain amount of zero emission vehicles, according to Autocar. While this would require the car to be battery- or fuel-cell-powered and have a range of over 200 miles, BMW sees an electric car as “the most likely answer.â€
The company would have uses for the platform in other markets as well, with different low-emissions engines that could include the German vehicle manufacturer’s motorcycle engines. A concept car developed by Austria’s Magna Steyr is being considered by the automaker as the basis for the new green car.
BMW will decide by the end of the year whether it will seek co-operation with another carmaker to produce the Isetta, with Smart a likely and rumored partner. The maker also hasn’t decided if it would sell the vehicle under the BMW name, MINI or something new altogether.
04/30, 9:08 AM
posted by:
FordTaurusForever
This would be nice to see from BMW and can’t wait till it comes out. As electric cars are without a doubt the way to go for all automobile manufacturers if they want to survive.
I throughly enjoyed driving a brand new 535i a few years back, and must admit they have an excellent customer service.
But where BMW gets a black eye with not only me but many americans is the types of so called american that usually owns one. By far the worse BMW are the two seater Beemer owners. They think they are the S***, and think they should demand an entourage and praise for their ownership whereever they turn up. Especially if you run into one that drives one or on the road. And they are literally! Haha
Once again its a good car no doubt but the kind of driver that buys one look out
04/30, 10:49 AM
posted by:
MercMark
They killed the last zero emission car mandate.
I’m sure this will fare no better.
04/30, 11:00 AM
posted by:
xyunya
The reality of 0 emission may push this one to the market. CA is bigger market for BMW then France and maybe equal to home turf.
04/30, 4:04 PM
posted by:
bigp
well when can wew buy and how much