Electric BMW Isetta to launch in US by 2012

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TinmanMS6

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2012 Subaru WRX

• May 1, 2008

• #1

It's been rumored for several months now that BMW is planning a revival of its famed Isetta nameplate, and it looks as though the German automaker will give the green light to the next-generation city car. The all-new Isetta will be a rear-motored electric car and should hit the U.S. market by 2012.

The Isetta project is intended to help BMW meet California's upcoming zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) legislation. The all-electric mini car will launch in the U.S. in 2012, but will likely be sold in other world markets after that date.

The new Isetta will also spawn a new range of city cars. The new range will be powered both diesel and gasoline powerplants, and future models could even be motivated by BMW motorcycle engines.

BMW has to decide which brand it will market the new car under and is still considering a partnership with another automaker. It could be BMW, Mini or another name, BMW chief Norbert Reithofer told AutoCar. He continued by saying co-operation [with another car maker] is possible, stating that BMW would decide on the matter by the end of 2008.

One likely candidate is Mercedes-Benz' Smart division.

It's also possible that BMW will base the new Isetta on a concept by Magna Steyr, the firm that currently produces the BMW X3.

 

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TinmanMS6

Member

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2012 Subaru WRX

• May 1, 2008

• #2

For those of you who may not know what an Isetta is...

Yes, like Urkel's car.

 

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evilmonkeyMSP

Scrotie McBoogerBalls

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'13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT

• May 1, 2008

• #3

lol awesome

 

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SuperStretch18

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'07 CX-7 Sport, Black on Black; '04 Mazda3s

• May 1, 2008

• #4

I was thinking Mr. Bean! LOL

 

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evilmonkeyMSP

Scrotie McBoogerBalls

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'13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT

• May 1, 2008

• #5

Mr Bean drove an Austin Mini Cooper

 

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SuperStretch18

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'07 CX-7 Sport, Black on Black; '04 Mazda3s

• May 1, 2008

• #6

evilmonkeyMSP said:

Mr Bean drove an Austin Mini Cooper

Click to expand...

Did he really? God that was so long ago. I must have been thinking of Urkel then...

 

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genericuser

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96 Miata M-Edition, 2015 Mazda 3 Hatch

• May 1, 2008

• #7

there are companies that will still rent you an isetta.

 

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evilmonkeyMSP

Scrotie McBoogerBalls

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:

'13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT

• May 1, 2008

• #8

and there are plenty of SUVs on the road looking for speedbumps....lol

seanmcsean said:

there are companies that will still rent you an isetta.

Click to expand...

 

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genericuser

Member

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96 Miata M-Edition, 2015 Mazda 3 Hatch

• May 1, 2008

• #9

evilmonkeyMSP said:

and there are plenty of SUVs on the road looking for speedbumps....lol

Click to expand...

get rich quick scheme anyone?

 

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hoth

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2002 Protege 5

• May 1, 2008

• #10

That looks like it would hurt getting hit in.

 

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2ruSpeed

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Mazda3 Sedan GT/GFX

• May 1, 2008

• #11

It's the Urkel mobile...

 

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genericuser

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96 Miata M-Edition, 2015 Mazda 3 Hatch

• May 1, 2008

• #12

TinmanMS6 said:

For those of you who may not know what an Isetta is...

Yes, like Urkel's car.

Click to expand...

2ruSpeed said:

It's the Urkel mobile...

Click to expand...

sure is.

 

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coolmazda5

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2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package

• May 1, 2008

• #13

TinmanMS6 said:

Click to expand...

Damn weird thing! My in-laws got me a scale model for Christmas, it might eventually become a pricey collectible on these shores (evil)

 

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TinmanMS6

Member

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2012 Subaru WRX

• Sep 12, 2008

• #14

Fuel-efficient city cars are being created at automaker R&D departments the world over, and even BMW plans on getting in on the action. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the German automaker was working on a 'mega city car' that will carry an all-new look, and two powertrains. One micro car will receive motivation with the aid of standard combustion, but the other will be pure electric. The electric vehicle will also comply with a California mandate that by 2012 there must be a fuel cell or battery-powered car that can travel 200 on a single charge. For comparison sake, GM promises at least 40 miles for the Chevy Volt, and Mitsubishi is looking at 100 mpg for the iMiEV.

It's also worth mentioning that the BMW CEO specifically pointed out that it meets California regulations, signaling that the vehicle would be available Stateside. There is still no word regarding which of BMW's three brands would be used for the vehicle, but we're still very sure it won't be a Rolls Royce.