Rendered speculation: BMW iSetta spaceball

Posted Mar 27th 2008 2:56PM by Sebastian Blanco
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, BMW

From user omolody on Flickr.

Uploaded a few months ago to Flicker, the image above take a wild stab at what the new BMW iSetta mini car might look like. For comparison, check out Auto Express' vision, which is much more normal if you think the iMiEV is standard-looking. At first glance, it's hard to tell which end of these flights-of-fancy is the front (it's the stubby side, in keeping with the original). We like the vertical stripe down the front and the semi-tadpole layout of the wheels (the back wheels are closer together than the front wheels), but we're not sure we'd actually enjoy driving one of these. While we wait for something a little more official from BMW on the rumors of reviving the iSetta as an electric city car, we'll imaging driving around in one of these little spaceballs. Man, that looks tiny. Thanks to Olivier for the tip!

[Source: Flickr]

Tags: bmw-electric-car, bmw-isetta, bmw-isetta-electric-..., bmw-isetta-ev, isetta, isetta revival, isetta-revival, IsettaRevival

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Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Not bad - it marries the basic shape of the old Isetta with Bangle-style flame surfacing and modern BMW-style big wheels.

Posted at 3:22PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Mirko

2. If they decide to bring back Isetta, hopefully they will have enough sense to NOT go with a retro design.

Posted at 3:34PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Throwback

3. Don't get too hung up on the shape of the original Isetta, or even the name itself. BMW has seen how Daimler has struggled with the smart brand and its iconic two-seater. Demand exceeds supply in the US right now, but that's because the car is new in that market - it won't last unless there's a reasonably priced EV version.

Ergo, expect more than two seats, sufficient length to deliver crash safety and a wheelbase large enough to provide decent suspension comfort. Also, BMW probably won't be using a single-clutch manumatic in the variants with conventional engines. An EV version won't need a transmission at all, fixed ratio reduction gears will do nicely.

Posted at 4:49PM on Mar 27th 2008 by rgseidl

4. I don't like it at all . It reminds me of the move Mercedes made with its smart car . That looks like a diesed smart car made for a French person

Posted at 7:41PM on Mar 27th 2008 by Kevin

5. Where do you put the groceries?

Posted at 12:05AM on Mar 28th 2008 by Michael Hippenhammer

6. Do not want.

What I do want is a modern day P50! Then I could be a pompous ass like Jeremy Clakson, too.

Ok, bad humor aside, I think a modern P-50 would be fun. Unfortunately, it would be heavier today, even with more advanced materials. But with only 3 wheels, the car wouldn't need to pass car standards, right?

Posted at 9:18AM on Mar 28th 2008 by Noah

7. It looks backwards. That slop should be the front end of the car, not the rear.

I'm all for smaller cars, but I think they can still be wider than most that I see. The newer small car design trend seems to simply constain all proportions and shrink the size. I'd like to keep some width when you squeeze it smaller as to offer som roominess as we as buffer protection against the hords of SUV tanks terrorizing this nation.

Posted at 9:52AM on Mar 30th 2008 by Rick

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