BMW considering range of two-, three- and four-wheelers for Project i
BMW Clever concept - Click above for an image gallery
Back in the summer of 2007, BMW and the University of Bath put their combined heads together and designed a vehicle called the Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Urban Transportation, or Clever for short. Using just 3 wheels and an engine that was designed to run on compressed natural gas, the Clever concept emitted just half the carbon dioxide of normal economy cars.
BMW may revisit this design for a future production model under its Project i program, which has the goal of finding new ways to create sustainable models for our transportation needs. The Clever would be just one vehicle in a range consisting of multiple two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles.
As much as we'd love to see a completely electric line from the German automaker, we may be waiting a while. iMotor in the U.K. quotes an unnamed spokesperson for BMW as saying:
We are committed to producing a super economical or zero emission vehicle or range of vehicles. However, it's going to be at least five years until we have production models one the road.In the meantime, BMW may be forced to fall back on its motorcycle division to locate a suitable set of powerplants for Project i.
Gallery: BMW Clever concept
[Source: iMotor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
otologic 3:09PM (5/07/2009)
I saw almost the exact same vehicle in 1991 at the BMW museum in Munich! No joke. Was in their vehicles of the future exhibit. I guess it's the future. If I can find the photo, I'll send it along.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 3:50PM (5/07/2009)
otologic, if you can find it, that would be great.
Thanks!
JK
Throwback 4:06PM (5/07/2009)
I am curiois if BMW will be using the Mini and BMW brands or creating a new brand for these vehicles. I don't think they need a new brand but, I did'nt think they need a X6 either.
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contact 5:25PM (5/07/2009)
another Vandenbrink Carver clone? Maybe BMW will be more successful than Persu Mobility has been.
The persu Mobility is #1 on my list of must-have EV's if it were ever going to come out. It's a shame no'one can get funding to actually pump these things out.
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BER 5:26PM (5/07/2009)
Looks very much like the Carver and the planned Persu Hybrid, both of which have been in the works for at least a few years. Carver is in the Netherlands. Persu Mobility is in the US. Don't know if Persu will ever get to the market. They've been dinkin' around for a long time. Maybe BMW, with their worldwide presence would have better luck.
http://www.carver-worldwide.com/
http://www.persumobility.com/
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russellgeister 8:00PM (5/07/2009)
these need to hit the market i think they will apeal to motocyclests who want something a bit more all weather and to car drivers who want a motorcycle but want something safer ,more user friendly,all weather,.and the economy of a motorbike.the hamster on top gear thought the carver was great . but it really needs a major like BMWto get something like this off the ground
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Treehugger 11:19PM (5/07/2009)
This type of vehicle makes a lot of sense, I would sell my car and buy of this in a heartbeat. Fun to drive, low road presence, easy to park, very efficient 100MPG. I don't need more than that.
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Mattias 6:22AM (5/08/2009)
http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-11637.html#backToArticle=386739
This is news from 2005. Who started digging out this old stuff?
There are also hints to a similar concept from 1991. Maybe someone finds the german magazine "Motorrad", issue 12/1991 where you can read an article on this concept.
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eric 6:16PM (5/08/2009)
Here is a sweet looking 3-wheeled concept that came out of a design competition sponsored by Peugeot. It is called the LiIon as it's Lithium-Ion battery powered.
8e61bf20 3:08PM (5/08/2009)
Does anybody out there remember the GM Lean Machine?The GM Lean Machine was developed by Frank Winchell of General Motors(USA) in the early 1980's as a concept car. The single seater vehicleis a "lean" machine in the true sense of the word as it leans intocorners like a motorcycle whilst keeping the stability of a normalcar. The original model was powered by a 15 hp 2-cylinder engine thatproduced a maximum speed of 80 mph with a fuel economy of 80 mpg at 40mph. Shortly afterwards a second model was produced that was poweredby a larger 38 hp engine. With a total body weight of 159kg this gavethe vehicle outstanding performance and the Lean Machine was able toreach 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds with a fuel economy of over 200 mpg.
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opjpojopjp 7:28PM (5/08/2009)
Let me guess they will cost as much as a BMW 3 series only its a third the actual metal, go half as far, and are probably electric? I admit I didn't read the article.
I just know going green ALWAYS means you will pay more for less!
The great screwing of the world has begun!!!
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