BMW mulls all-new Isetta compact car
Author: MotorTorque Team
Published: 28 November 2007
BMW looks set to take on the smart, Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500 with its own resurrected legend - the Isetta microcar.
Originally made in the 50s, the three-wheeled one-cylinder Isetta measured 2.4m long and could seat two adults.
There´s nothing confirmed yet, but with strict European Commission CO2 targets necessitating all manufacturers to reduce emissions across their model range you can expect something Isetta-shaped in the pipeline by 2010.
It´s to be expected that the new version will add side doors, a fourth wheel and a few horses to the original´s 12, though the rear-mounted engine is expected to stay.
If equipped with BMW´s EfficientDynamics programme and a likely-small engine the Isetta can be expected to return excellent figures for fuel economy and carbon emissions.
Looks like the smart may have a new rival, as if it needed any more problems.
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glad they are thinking of bringing it back.. why do you need 3000lbs of steel/rubber/glass and 300 HP to move one ASS around? think about it, the AVERaGE trip is less than 25 miles, and less than 45 MPH!!! we need less not MORE. something to think about when you gas up next time.. I am not just and OWNER but a DRIVER of many MICROCARS . steve george Otisco NY
This new BMW was long over due. Where it not for the british MINI, Isettas would still be baing built today. As an Isetta owner and daily driver, I can´t wait to add the new sibling to my garage
Too bad the Motortorque Team didn´y do their homework and find out that the 3 wheel version was the rarity and the 4 wheel version the standard in days of yore... YES bring back the Isetta!
The three-wheeled Isetta was much more common in the UK.
2002
bring it back
now
Excellent Concept!Hope it gets into production, and right-handers are available SOON!
There is a more interesting concept of what may well be perceived as a next-generation Isetta. It was showcased at the Detroit
Auto Show. This three-seater is expected to be safer, more
fuel-efficient, more practical as well as more comfortable than that little Smart ForTwo car. Arguably, better looking too.
the car looks vile, cheap and tacky. they should have stuck to the original design be tweeked it a little.
Sorry - the Isetta was ALWAYS a 4 wheeled car. The narrow track of the two rear wheels led many to think it was 3 wheeled, but it wasn´t
Bill - you´re right about the track giving the appearance of four wheels, but the three-wheeled Isetta was very popular in the UK as a motorcycle licence was sufficient to drive one.
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Hope BMW go ahead with this, and a front-access door would be cool. Let´s see you get a Hofmeister kink on there BMW!