BMW Announces Megacity hybrid-electric vehicle
BMW Chairman Norbert Reithofer has reportedly confirmed a new eco-friendly machine called the Megacity Vehicle as part of the automaker's Project i. Beyond the name, details are sketchy. According to Reithofer, "Customers will have the choice between a fully electric drive and a high-efficiency combustion engine. Large-scale production could start in the first half of the next decade."
We're not entirely sure yet if that means the vehicle will be some sort of hybrid or if it will be offered with two separate and distinct powertrain options. We're also wondering if the Megacity has anything to do with the rumored small car development with Fiat, which would supposedly spawn new city cars from both the German and the Italian automaker. BMW is also "pursuing a radical approach toward establishing a truly sustainable value chain-from development to production and sales," said Reithofer.
[Source: Carscoop | Photo: snapsi42]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David Mustoe 9:35AM (3/20/2009)
My neighbor had one of these in the 50's. With modern materials and modern engineering it would be even better.
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Stan Wellaway 12:02PM (3/20/2009)
I remember them too. Owners of them still hold annual rallies in the UK. And it is widely thought that BMW might revive the Isetta name, which it owns.
Though even if they go for some retro styling with echoes of that old model, it is unfortunately going to look a lot different to make it more crash-proof, and is clearly not going to be allowed to retain that front access door!
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Chris M 3:32AM (10/30/2009)
The picture is of an old BMW "Isetta", considered to be the least safe car model ever sold. The "Megacity" will be a different design, but since BMW hasn't revealed any photos or any other design hints, ABG used a stock photo of an older BMW model instead.