Comments on: BMW CEO Confirms City Car

By: denyingphoenix » Blog Archive » 5 Things I Love for Friday #128

denyingphoenix » Blog Archive » 5 Things I Love for Friday #128 — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:49:28 +0000

[...] BMW’s possible iSetta mini car – The initial preview here makes it look like a character from a Pixar movie. But I dig it. Much sexier than the Smart Cars. [...]

By: Hey car nuts.. can anyone identify this make? - MacTalk Forums

Hey car nuts.. can anyone identify this make? - MacTalk Forums — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:21:51 +0000

[...] be the new BMW (Isetta?) City Car. MotoringFile Archive BMW CEO Confirms City Car __________________ G5 Tower 2×2GHz – MacMini – iBook G3 (Blue) – TiBook 667Mhz – MacPlus – [...]

By: 850 jobs go at MINI car factory - Smart Car of America Forums

850 jobs go at MINI car factory - Smart Car of America Forums — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:58:13 +0000

[...] a smaller version of the Mini. Back in September plans for a “mini” BMW seemed pretty firm: MotoringFile Archive BMW CEO Confirms City Car With the worldwide slump in auto sales, don’t know where they stand [...]

By: the blog. » Blog Archive » iSetta

the blog. » Blog Archive » iSetta — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:49:54 +0000

[...] just announced the new iSetta, a two-seater electric city car. Its designed was inspired by the original Isetta from the 50s. [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:59:08 +0000

I would buy one! Heck, maybe two!!! Love the new styling of the grey one!

By: JonPD

JonPD — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:52:57 +0000

I think that its destined for the US if for no other reason that the Smart car is selling so well here and it allows BMW to put anther car into place to deal with the brand fuel economy standards. Particularly important if Obama is elected as we are bound to see some significant changes. Though I would expect to see some changes no matter who is elected.

By: Danf

Danf — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:06:22 +0000

I’d be very surprised if we ever see this car in the US.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:53:33 +0000

I see them also C4, but the Smart is sluggish but as you said I see them at 80MPH often on the highways, the motor may not be super powerful but it still seems to get them there, slowly.

My bet for the Isetta will be a 75-90 hp motor, aimed much less at freeway commuters than city dwellers. These types of car are not about performance, they are about minimal footprint with a miserly engine.

By: MauiMac

MauiMac — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:19:24 +0000

The all silver Isetta mockup on this ( http://espaciocoches.com/2008/04/bmw-isetta-mas-recreaciones-y-ademas-la-marca-alemana-prepara-su-futuro-superdeportivo.html ) page looks a little nicer…

By: dickdavid

dickdavid — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:23:45 +0000

I prefer the silver/white version over the red/white. I think it pays better design homage to the original Isetta.

By: robble

robble — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:15:45 +0000

I wonder how it’ll do on the autocross track LoL. It looks to be rear engine rear wheel drive…

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:52:23 +0000

Jon, you’ll be surprised to see how many people are using Smarts as Highway Cruisers and long distance commuters. Heck, I see 2 or 3 everyday down here in I-95 whizzing at 80MPH.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:03:36 +0000

I honestly don't think one of the Smarts issues are with the hp, this is a city car, its nowhere close to having anything but minimal performance.

I think the worse parts of the Smart and the biggest area's BMW could make a very nice city car.

I agree with the other three points you made though C4. However I think my biggest complaint with the Smart is the horrible brakes and unpredictable transmission.

By: eager2own

eager2own — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:58:46 +0000

I will be very surprised if that round rear glass window makes it into the production car.

By: eager2own

eager2own — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:57:08 +0000

wow! it’s got doors on the sides!

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:53:52 +0000

The main weaknesses of the current US spec Smart are:

The anemic/puny 1.0L 3 cyl 70HP engine

unimpressive fuel economy

dicey handling

Horrid 5-speed automatic transmission.

If BMW can successfully address the weak links of the Smart with the new Isetta, they'll have another "MINI" like success landslide.

Oh and bring a diesel model while you are at it.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:02:40 +0000

I for one look forward to seeing what BMW comes up with. I have to say that Smart should start quaking in its boots as I think this car could take a huge amount of their potential buyers.

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:35:51 +0000

BMW is clearly going after the Smart market, hence, I think we will see this in the US of A at some point.

By: nervous

nervous — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:33:32 +0000

Will it be available in non-metallic BRG?

By: Ian F

Ian F — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:16:14 +0000

I like the idea and the proposed renderings look nice. It should be interesting to see what the final car looks like.

I also agree about having 'real' bumpers on a city-car. Something that can really take a good parking whack and be easy to replace if needed.