Here’s a new rendering of the BMW Megacity model that’s emerged on the internet. BMW will be the first manufacturer to employ carbon fiber in volume-production.
The car has been developed from the grounds up to be an all-electric small car rather than converting an existing gasoline powered car to run on electricity as well.
The chassis of the car will be constructed out of a combination of moulded carbonfibre and aluminium, in order to keep the weight of the car as low as possible. The car uses carbonfibre and composites in its body as well, thereby completely eliminating the use of steel in the car’s construction. The car will be a proper four-door, four-seater small seater and will also possess Rolls-Royce style rear-hinged rear doors.
The car also has its battery pack mounted flat along the floorpan of the car, in order to keep the car’s centre of gravity as low as possible. The electric motor has been mounted at the rear of the car and drives the rear wheels through a single speed gearbox, thereby keeping alive the tradition of BMW’s being rear-wheel drive.
The estimated power and torque figures for the car are 170 bhp and 250 Nm, with a top speed of around 90 mph (145 kmph). The projected maximum range of the car is around 124 miles (200 kms). BMW also plans to develop an extended range version of the car, fitted with a small petrol engine, which will act as a generator for the car’s electric motor.
BMW says that the BMW Megacity Vehicle will retain the fun to drive of regular BMW cars and will be representation of what the BMW name stands for. This statement can only be ascertained once the car is launched sometime in 2012.
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- Rendering – BMW sub 1-Series front wheel drive car
- Rendering – 2012 Audi A2
- Rendering – 2013 BMW Megacity car
