BMW " Project i " : a mobility solution for megacities (official!)

[jack]

yeah, and he only took the 500 concept to production... i just mentioned some cars he was involved, its not like i don't know what i write...

 

[Ralfd]

Project i Update

Here is a link to an 'Auto-Bild' article about BMW's Project-i :

Sparer von BMW - BMW macht es leicht - Erlkönige - autobild.de

Let me briefly paraphrase it for you :

- Next phase of BMW's Efficient Dynamics will launch at the IAA in Frankfurt (Sep 09)

- On display will be a radical, exciting concept...even more exciting than legendary M1
- will have turbo 4 cylinder rear (!) engine with 300 PS and additionally 2 50 PS electic motors in the front wheels

- Concept will not go directly into production , but is part of project 'ZX' which will come into production as Z2 in 2013

- Z2 Coupe and Roadster will be the dynamic showcase of Project-i, which will include additional , fuel efficient vehicles

- Project-i will be a BMW-only project, no cooperation with Alfa/Fiat, limited cooperation with Mercedes (purchasing). Only Peugeot will have access to the new 4 cyl turbo engine

- Variants of the Project-i family :
- Mega City Vehicle MCV : Rear engine, rear drive (under Mini label) 2012
- Z2 Roadster/Coupe : Front engine, rear drive 2013
- 4 seat coupe (BMW) Front engine, rear drive 2013
- 2 seat City Scooter (successor to C1) (BMW Motorcyles) , 2012
- Mini Van , 4 seats , front engine, front drive, 2014 (Mini)

- Z2 : 3 drive concepts :
- Full electric drive
- Hybrid with range extender gasoline engine
- 1.6 l 4 cyl gasoline direct injection engine 150/204 PS (less than 5 l/100km)

Here are the picture from the article :

 

[Deleted member 25]

This is very exiting news.

 

[Cashmere]

did I actually read 'rear engined' or is that a mistake?
Love the look of the inverted kidney grills. Look much more agressive compared to the oversized ones on the F01.

 

[Tarek]

Looks like this year's Frankfurt will on fire

 

[EMpower]

I guess BMW will be loosing the signature "halo headlights" aka "angel eyes" when they introduce these LED slim headlights.

 

[EnI]

I guess BMW will be loosing the signature "halo headlights" aka "angel eyes" when they introduce these LED slim headlights.

Not at all. Stylized quad headlight projectors will be still there - although not as full circles but more like LED semi-circles. So, transforming "angel eyes" into "devil-eyes". Mind even in some contemporary BMW cars not all 4 corona rings are full-circles - usually the inner coronas are not full, but the upper part of the circle is missing.

Check M1 Hommage headlights - the same solution will be used in future BMWs. At least for DtRL.

 

[PanterroR]

 

[Tarek]

^+1

 

[SKY]

What about next 3er of even next X5 EnI? Will we see this type of headlights on more "classy" BMWs?.

 

[Mr Robert]

Only Peugeot will have access to the new 4 cyl turbo engine

My big question here; will this engine be as troublesome as the Prince engine in the current R56 Cooper S? Will BMW deny these problems like they did with the Prince engines?

- Z2 : 3 drive concepts :
- Full electric drive

I knew it!

 

[EnI]

What about next 3er of even next X5 EnI? Will we see this type of headlights on more "classy" BMWs?.

LED tech gives designers much more creative space ... from very narrow slits, to the ones as wide as today's headlights.

Be sure the specific designs will suit the car's character well ... being more balanced on some specific models. While some will be very futuristic.

Avant-garde styling is here to stay for BMW ... Even MINI is moving to more neo-retro from today's classic retro styling.

 

[bmer]

Agree but I would only give it 5 x The kidneys could actually work if they weren't upside-down. Right now the only thing that looks good in that car is the roundel...

 

[klier]

Great info there Ralf! Exiting times ahead. All these cars sound like winners!!!

 

[EnI]

Actually the "wheel cover " is just a part of an extra aerodynamic kit - for a better drag coefficient.

Regarding upside-down kidneys: expect the outer part to be upturned, with conventional kidney shaped chromed frame & bars inside. As seen on GINA Concept.

 

[SCOTT27]

The aerodynamic covers are actually a forthcoming segment for Efficient Dynamics. As these covers provide additional aerodynamic flow reducing drag and overall fuel consumption.

This is one feature that will be introduced for BMW models sometime in the near future. Additional examples will be "Aerodynamic wheel designs" designed via the Wind Tunnel. The first example was of course the Geneva 2008 Vision X5 Concept in which the wheels helped with aerodynamics of the car.

We will receive comment from both spectrums. Hate and admiration for this concept , some will believe the end of BMW is approaching because there is as yet no supersports car or hypercar to rival the (delete as applicable) But this segment is very creative it is all about sustainability and mobility for the future.
Here you will also see that BMW do not just lead in other areas of automobile segments but thanks to our original focus on ED technology , we will be the first to the market with a fully electric BMW.
BMW is not the first and certainly not the last but BMW will be the most successful company in future mobility because we have done it.

Efficient Dynamics is the future of BMW - Innovative , creative with a unique design and special individual driving character .

 

[E38_E30]

Not sure if it's the correct thread if not, please move.

auto motor und sport shrinks down a F07 and calls it "BMW City"

source: BMW City und Mini-BMW ab 2014 - auto motor und sport

 

[SF Dede]

Not sure if it's the correct thread if not, please move.

auto motor und sport shrinks down a F07 and calls it "BMW City"

Wow, I like. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[john5]

That would be very interesting to see IRL

 

[EnI]

BMW Group to build progressive electric vehicle in BMW Plant Leipzig


BMW Group to build progressive electric vehicle in Leipzig with major components from Bavaria. Clear commitment to Germany as the home of production.



22.02.2010
Press Release


Munich. The BMW Group is developing BMW Plant Leipzig to produce an electric vehicle and making additional investments in a number of facilities in Bavaria. In a joint venture with SGL Carbon, SGL Automotive Fibers GmbH & Co KG, carbon fibre fabrics will be produced in Wackersdorf and processed to CFRP components for the new vehicle at BMW Plant Landshut.

Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of BMW AG, confirmed clearly the company’s commitment to Germany as an industrial centre: “The BMW Group will build the car of the future in Leipzig with high-tech innovations from Bavaria. The main reasons behind this decision are the qualities that Germany has to offer: we have a tried and tested production network here and high levels of education and outstanding competencies at our disposal.”

With this decision to produce in Leizpig, Landhsut and Wackersdorf, the BMW Group is preparing for series production of a car known by its project name of Megacity Vehicle. With this new automobile, the BMW Group will be providing an innovative solution for sustainable mobility in urban environments. It is being developed as part of project i and is due to reach the market in the first half of this decade under a sub-brand of BMW.


Source: BMW AG