BMW's latest concept isn't quite as
far out as some of its
earlier efforts, and the company has dubbed it SIMPLE, but don't let that fool you. Joining
Nissan's Land Glider in a new trend toward leaning vehicles that have motorbike-like footprints, the "Sustainable and Innovative Mobility Product for Low Energy consumption" is said to have similar seating space to a BMW 3 Series coupe. Its space fighter appearance isn't just for show either -- with a drag coefficient of 0.18 and a weight of only 992 pounds, this bad boy is capable of harnessing a small internal combustion engine and electric motor to tear up the autobahn at up to 124mph. Zero to sixty in under ten seconds and 118 miles per gallon fuel efficiency fill out the sexy stat sheet, though sadly there are no productions plans as of yet. The concept is being exhibited in the BMW Museum in Munich, but if you can't make it over to Germany right now, there's a video for you after the break.
posted October 12th 2009 5:44AM
is Sinclair working for BMW now? :P
Yeah, we Brits thought of this decades ago. Long live the masterpiece that is the Robin Reliant.
Looks like a model made for Virtua Racing on the Dreamcast. Look at all those 1999 polygons!
Coffin on wheels.
I guess I'm the only one who doesn't like where this is headed. Sure it looks kind of cool but I can't see wanting to get around in something like that.
How many legomen does it come with? I don't want to buy extras to make a space diorama, they are overpriced.
I own an estate car (station wagon) for a reason, and its not because I love poor visibility and parking in tight spaces....
This is a commuter car - not for people who need to transport their family, pets and shopping. Since more than 80% of journeys involve a single occupant, this is meant to address that market only.
Déjà vu: http://www.machinerytrader.com/images/Machinery/fullsize/75791007.jpg
Does anyone really want this garbage? Doesn't R&D have better things to do?
Must be a blast to drive. I would buy one. As for materials and cost, shouldn't be any more than $20k to the consumer, right?
It must take forever to get to 124 MPH if it takes nearly ten seconds to get to 60. (My point of comparison is my 250cc motorcycle, which will do 0-60 in about 5.75 seconds and tops out around 100 MPH.)
Soo... I guess cup holders are out since they would slosh like crazy while driving? I'd think coffee is a large part of many commuters morning.
They certainly would include gyroscopic cup holders, wouldn't they?
It should slosh much less than in a regular car. The tilt mechanism cancels out the lateral G force.
yea i stopped reading after "0-60 in under 10 seconds"
I'm no scientist, but I don't see the seating for 4 people. Especially compared to the E9[0-3] which XBox huge.
insert verb here.
In the video it mentions the driver seating comfort is comparable to a 3 series coupe. Not that there is seating and space for three others (as in the coupe). It's single occupant only - but that person has similar personal space to a 3 series driver. It's not very clear from the Engadget summary....
This thang is way ugly. It's going on www.fuglyrides.com ASAP.
Wow reminds me of an aptera but less polished and more ugly. I'd rather have the aptera.
Note to editor: 0-60 in 10 seconds (or under how you stated it meaning in the 9s) is not sexy. Most minivans can best that.
And where's the cargo room?
Seems like a motorcycle for people who are afraid of real speed.
For a vehicle that gets 118 miles to the gallon, that's a pretty decent acceleration.
If only something like this actually came to market and was affordable. I want to ride a bat-cycle before I die.
Really? 60 internet comments, and not ONE of you has said this?
"DO A BARREL ROLL!"
I am so disappointed.
Why do they never take the awesome cars to production? Take a little risk here guys.
George Lucas called,,, said he wanted his car back!
looks like the next bat bike
All this is, is the lean machine from the 80's with a little more comfort and style
http://www.3wheelers.com/gmlean.html
This is just the hull of the future spacefighter from BMW, as you can see you will be able to dock to the rest of the spaceship, for ground transportation all you have to do is separate the hull from the body.
Cool ca, reminds me of the Carver One.
I'd seriously consider getting one if I had a spare £22k very cool machine!
awsome. untill someone hits you.
Mass produce it and I'll buy one. I'd love to trade my corolla and my scooter for this. It's perfect for the urban cities (and hope it gets the all access carpool lane sticker as well).
Wonder why they didn't go with a reverse trike layout. Sure, with the dynamic tilting, flipping over is much less of a problem, but braking would still be better with two wheels at the front, rather than one. Either way, I still like it. These tilting vehicles will be so much fun to drive, and more comfortable, too.
The car looks amazing! Is it a car or a bicycle?:) There is also a the new BMW Concept X1 on this website. It looks pretty amazing!! BMW has taken the wraps of its latest SUV offering at the Paris Motor Show – the BMW Concept X1.I loooove it!
Just 26 years after GM made almost the exact same thing
http://www.3wheelers.com/gmlean.html
And that did 0 - 60 in 6.8 seconds and got 200 MPG.
Neither will be available for sale.
I wonder how you will fare with trying to parallel park with this thing..