Thomson Financial [via Forbes] reports that BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has raised the specter of an all-electric Bimmer (Beemer?) for the U.S. market by 2012. Reithofer may be yanking our schnitzels; he says production of the theoretical EV could be outsourced to a "major US automaker." Raising the weirdness stakes even further, Reithofer asserts that "BMW will be considered a so-called large vehicle manufacturer in the US from 2012, [obliging them] to offer an ecologically compatible car." The prospect of an eco-friendly BMW with outsourced production reminds us more than a bit of the Isetta. Does this mean that the Bavarian bubblecar will make a revamped comeback a la MINI? We're not sure, but an Avarvarii photochop would certainly be a giggle.
13 Comments on “Does Electric Bimmer Presage the Return Of Isetta?...”
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Perhaps the all-electric vehicle would be a beemer, not a bimmer? Though the small packaging might be an issue in that case.
I think it would be tragic if the Isetta returned, as it would have to be so drastically changed from the original. It would probably be front engine, front wheel drive, for one.
You know Edward, I am so ready for this. I am a car freak that also loves Popular Science magazine. It is time for this! With fuel at $4.00 a gallon we need to re-think our autostyles and demand a new direction. This is a very exciting time for technoweencarcrazies. Thanks for the article.
Are those handles to pick it up with? My high school shop teacher had one of those. It got moved around some. Unbelievable!!!
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/02/03/bmw-to-challenge-smart-with-isetta-brand/
The concept pic in that article looks pretty cool.
I like Avarvarii work but I don’t think he can do anything about that… you cannot do somethink from nothing. There is no way that freak can be made to look better.
Bancho :
Funny, I hadn’t seen that abgreen story you linked too… I was just speculating! Oh, and remembering the time my Dad almost gave us kids whiplash pulling the car over to check out a driveway full of old Isettas.
Now that I think about it, maybe reviving the Messerschmitt brand would be even more unique.
Alas, nobody remembers Glas which BMW bought in 1966, in order to obtain the Dingolfing factory (in which BMW 5 series are built to this day).
Glas also built a Goggomobile microcar.
http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/115/
Updated Mini: nice
Updated Beetle: nice.
Updated Fiat 500: nice…
No reason to believe that BMW wouldn’t create a nice lineup of super-mini Isettas.
I am SO ready for a full electric too! 50-75 mile range please. Size of a current Mini please. Toyota did it with the Rav4 in ‘97 why not somebody else please?
Juniper :
March 12th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Are those handles to pick it up with? My high school shop teacher had one of those. It got moved around some. Unbelievable!!!
Yes they are. I saw Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear “demonstrating” an Isetta by driving it to work at BBC. And, I mean literally driving it to work all the way up the elevator and through the cubicle maze. It has no reverse gear, but that’s okay, because you can either stick one foot out the door and push it back, have a helpful stranger push it back, or get out and pick it up and wheel it back if you need to (for instance when backing into or out of the elevator at work).
No, that was a Peel P50 that Jeremy Clarkson drove to work. Funny clip and it is on YouTube if anyone wants a look. Search for “Top Gear P50″.
The Lane Museum in Nashville, TN has a Peel in their collection. Tiny (!) little thing.
Rock on! I await Erkel’s return.
bimmer = car
beemer = bike