BMW Megacity: World’s First Mass Produced Carbon Fiber Car
For years enthusiasts have been complaining that BMW and MINI need to make cars lighter. Today the BMW Group is giving us its answer. The hope of the megacity program (which will likely result in an eventual MINI branded product) is to do nothing short of redefine mobility while taking a HUGE leap ahead of the competition. The Megacity range will be the first volume vehicle to use Carbon Fiber in the passenger cell. Previously this was only seen on race cars and super cars such as the Mclaren F1.
If that is not revolutionary we don’t know what is. One other note related to the MINI. The project leader on Megacity is none other than Ulrich Kranz, the man who led BMW”s team that revived the MINI brand in 2001.
For a detail by detail account of the MCV please see here.
Official Release: The BMW Group is once again breaking new ground with the Megacity Vehicle (MCV), due to come onto the market in 2013: “The Megacity Vehicle is a revolutionary automobile. It will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. Our LifeDrive architecture is helping us to open a new chapter in automotive lightweight design. Indeed, this concept allows us to practically offset the extra 250 to 350 kilograms of weight typically found in electrically powered vehicles.†says Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management for Development.
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“The drive system remains the heartbeat of a car, and that also applies to electric vehicles,†said Draeger. “Powertrains also remain a core area of expertise of Bayerische Motoren Werke. Electromobility and the hallmark BMW driving pleasure make an excellent match, if you go about things the right way. For this reason we are developing the powertrain for the Megacity Vehicle in-house – that includes the electric motor, the power electronics and the battery system.â€
The electrification of a vehicle requires new concepts in vehicle architecture and body construction in order to exploit the potential of the new emission-free drive system to optimum effect. With the revolutionary LifeDrive concept, the BMW Group engineers are developing the car’s architecture from scratch and adapting it to the demands and conditions of future mobility. The goal: to offset the additional weight of an electric vehicle – typically 250 to 350 kilograms. To this end, the BMW Group is focusing on the innovative high-tech material carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).
The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Its partner, the Life module, consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. Furthermore, the new vehicle architecture opens the door to totally new production processes which are both simpler and more flexible, and use less energy.
The BMW Group is also aiming to be the force behind the best drive systems over the years ahead – systems boasting outstanding efficiency, performance and smoothness, even if it is electricity rather than fossil fuels that are converted into propulsion. To this end, the BMW Group is vigorously driving forward the technical development of electric powertrains. The BMW Group’s centre of expertise for electric drive systems brings together development, manufacturing and procurement specialists under one roof. All their efforts are focused on the implementation and typically BMW interpretation of the new generation of drive systems. Ultimately, electric vehicles not only provide a zero-local-emission and low-noise form of propulsion; their ability to deliver a totally new and extremely agile driving experience is also impressive.
The new architecture of the MCV also gives the vehicle designers additional freedom when it comes to creating a new aesthetic for sustainable urban mobility solutions.
<p>Now we know why the carbon fiber plants have been built.</p>
<p>This is awesome. It’s about time that the materials used to create production car frames evolved to something both stronger AND lighter. This is a big step forward in automotive technology, and I commend BMW for having the cojones and foresight to pursue this.</p>
<p>Wow – this is really cool!!</p>
<p>Applause to BMW Group for this venture and I wish them all the success with the Megacity project!</p>
<p>Does anyone else think the profile of this test sled looks MINI?!?</p>
<p>I cannot stress enough what a big deal this announcement is for MINI and BMW. An entire car based on carbon fiber that is meant to be for the masses is unheard of. A car that is lightweight and small yet incredibly safe is also unheard of.</p>
<p>Ahhh, but will it translate over to MINI?</p>
<p>Very cool release. It will be interesting to see how this platform develops and what will carry over into other BMW/MINI models. I agree with Sideways Eh! that the side profile reminded me of a MINI. The large opening also looks like some interesting door configurations may be possible.</p>
<p>Gabe, the question is… Will the pricing also be meant for the masses? I definitely look forward to it however if it’s priced out of the “masses” market then it will remain a niche car.</p>
<p>Generation III MINI?</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Holy guacamole!</p></li>
<li><p>Yeah, what’s this gonna cost?</p></li>
<li><p>Do I read correctly that this is electric-propulsion only?</p></li>
<li><p>Since the material is carbon fiber reinforced plastic, doesn’t that plastic have to come from oil? That’s not a great solution, unless they can start turning water bottles into BMWs and MINIs, of course.</p></li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
<p>Yeah, what’s this gonna cost?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It’ll be a premium product like the MINI – if not a little more pricey than even a JCW.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Do I read correctly that this is electric-propulsion only?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>there will likely be other variants (3 cylinders anyone?)</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Since the material is carbon fiber reinforced plastic, doesn’t that plastic have to come from oil? That’s not a great solution, unless they can start turning water bottles into BMWs and MINIs, of course</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Good question. Not sure of the answer but I can tell you BMW went so far as to build the plant in an area full of hydroelectricity just to keep oil dependancy down.</p>
<p>Carbon fiber is challenging to recycle, it should be noted. Steel and aluminum are very easy to recycle. I don’t know how this fact affects full lifecycle energy costs, but that should be taken into account in assessing whether BMW has the right idea.</p>
<p>It’s not a MINI. It doesn’t even look like an old Isetta. And for all the greenies out there – CO2 carbon dioxide is NOT a polutant. Ask and plants and trees!</p>
<p>It’s that nasty dihydrogen monoxide DHMO that is the danger to mankind and will not be used in this car;
is called “hydroxyl acid”, the substance is the major component of acid rain.
contributes to the “greenhouse effect”.
may cause severe burns.
is fatal if inhaled.
contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.
Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:
as an industrial solvent and coolant.
in nuclear power plants.
in the production of Styrofoam.
as a fire retardant.
in many forms of cruel animal research.
in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
as an additive in certain “junk-foods” and other food products.</p>
<p>This is excellent news !!!</p>
<p>Now imagine a carbon bodied, 3 cylinder turbo, Gen3 JCW weighing less than 1000 kilos :-)</p>
<p>Regarding recycling. More methods are being developed to recycle CFRP. The process (simplified) is to heat the goods to a temperature where you “steam” of all the polymers and epoxy resins, leaving you with pure carbon fibers. They can then be reused with about 90% och their physicalk properties intact, for instance as chopped fibers in injection moulded parts.</p>