From user omolody on Flickr.

We've seen the renderings - some fanciful, like the ones above, some unsurprising - and heard the rumors about the new all-electric BMW/iSetta vehicle. If we trust the phrasing in a short story in Global Insight (no direct link, sorry; found the story in Lexis Nexis thanks to the EDTA), then we can celebrate a new development at BMW. The story, written by Tim Urquhart, starts, "BMW will give the green light to an all-new zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) city car that will see the premium carmaker enter an all-new segment." This fits with the news that came out about a month ago that said that a decision would be made sometime this year. The new EV - which might be called the iSetta or potentially co-branded (?) with Smart - will likely have li-ion batteries. We're ready for some official confirmation on this one, don't you think?

[Source: Global Insight via EDTA]

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]

The rumors of BMW's new green brand have been circulating for months. We talked about the possibility back in January and November. A bit of news came in early February with the discussion of a revived Isetta small car. Automotive News (subs req'd) is now reporting that the Isetta rumors - or, as one of our readers said, iSetta - might be coming true. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told AN that a 12-member planning group called "Project i" has been working behind the scenes for about a year to discuss forming a new brand just for BMW's alternative-fuel vehicles. Reithofer said that the group, "Is fully independent and even free to act beyond BMW structures if necessary." BMW may build a small EV and if it does, the badge is just as unknown at this point as the look and battery type.

Of course, there's no reason BMW can't find religion on just greening up the BMW brand itself. I mean, a 520d gets better mileage than a Prius, don't ya know? Would an all-electric BMW city car be too much brand dilution?

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]