German Car Zone

Yep, THIS is the future:

i think that the main problem is the safety factor. i think that its going to take alot to persuade people, that also very small cars can be safe.
another point, is the space factor. people drive to work alone, in large cars - many don't want to drive smaller cars because its an image thing - i know that stuff, because i drive a mini and there are alot stoneaged people that make fun of its size (i don't care, its style and its driving abilities are )

its going to be interessting to see, if the environment consciousness can delet these two factos

There is a demand for small cars, especially those which are environmental friendly. You'd be surprised how many people here drive the G-Wiz in order to beat the congestion charge.

HAHA EnI, I was sure someone would say it... Another hilarious Clarkson show BTW...

I was thinking to something slightly more stylish though...





I think this is a battle, in the future. All the alternative mobility solutions, specialized city vehicule (not able to go on the roads, limited speed, so less safety requirements, lighter) and much smaller. Our big cities need things like that instead of full-size cars (even small cars).

The smart is a first step towards less versatile, more specialized cars. In the future some will go way further in that direction, for me.

Imagine all the congestion fees / taxes / fares / charges etc. big cities around the world (especially in strict city centers) are introducing. The next stage will be a strict traffic limit in those areas: only permitted for zero-emission vehicles. In this case only the following transportation ways will be available: city-rail, subway, buses (zero-emission), taxis (zero-emission), bicycles, roller skates, bikes (zero-emission) & of course other small alternative zero-emission personal movers like micro-cars, bike-car hybrids, etc.

Mind this kind of vehicle will be really usable in city centers only. Not for the Autobahns!

I can imagine some freak driving his hybrid SUV to the Park&Ride zone, pick a micro-car from the trunk (or trailer), and drive himself to the office in the city center.

Btw, traffic in some megacities (especially Asian ones - eg. Saigon, Vietnam) looks like this:

Never knew BMW made this car

What do you think of this?

too generic

they should rehire(it was such a mistake to let him go) Frank Stephenson(X5,Mini,Fiat 500) for isetta design

They never did, it's purely a cute-looking chop using the 5er's grille, 1er's side-skirting, 5er's side mirrors and who knows what the base car/body this chop was created from.

It actually looks rather similar to the newly unveiled Toyota iQ (another play on the 'i' craze...)


Seems like the 'wheels at each corner of the car' layout will be the way to go. However, I get the impression that this new 'team' that BMW has put together isn't simply looking to jump on the micro-car bandwagon and offer a me-too product... seems like they're really striving for something innovative..with a definite focus on the future.

That's a PS. Nothing to do with a BMW.

Exciting since this is a BMW project, and BMW has the most original ideas and executions found anywhere in the industry on what are traditionally generic themes. At the same time, as is intended by BMW, this will be a "city car' and as such it will have limited appeal beyond the "big city", but that's the point I guess? Since all the "important" trendy types that set the trends and create the fashions adored by many are the ones that will be buying this car. Can't wait to see it.