New BMW Isetta?

[atomic]

2011-2012 BMW Isetta here at the last third of the page

2011 BMW Isetta to Share Fiat Platform

Whether it’s using a Lotus platform for riving Abarth or providing the underpinnings for the new Ford Ka, Fiat has seen no shortage of partnerships recently.

If new rumors are to be believed, the Italian automaker might be partnering with BMW for a new small car platform. More specifically, the forthcoming BMW Isetta and Fiat Topolino electric city cars might be born as twins.

By sharing a platform, the Fiat and Bimmer will have similar proportions, but unique surface development and brand-specific design cues. The agreement was reportedly made as part of the same deal that will see a new Mini model share the Alfa Romeo Mi.To’s platform.

While the Topolino will be sold in Europe only, the Isetta is most certainly coming to America. The rear-engine vehicle is billed to come Stateside in 2011 or 2012, just in time to meet California’s laws that would require major car manufacturers to produce a certain amount of zero emission vehicles.

It looks like it is coming to the states in 2011-2012 and will be a rear engine rear drive electric low emission's car. Looks interesting for the inner city dwellers...



:drink:

[EN318isPDX]

ewww it looks like barf

[SpecM]

some Isettas had three wheels, some had four

[T Verdier]

yeah lets pay $16000 to save $1000 a year. oh yeah and look good doing it - (sarcasm).

[Aptyp]

I would buy it. And feel good about it.

[Ben Carufel]

yeah lets pay $16000 to save $1000 a year. oh yeah and look good doing it - (sarcasm).

It's not always about saving money, sport.

[DEV0 E30]

I kinda like it.



Come see how good I look!

[PhillyG]

E30s are cheap to insure. I think I pay about $50/month for mine.

What insurance company do you have if you don't mind me asking?

[ditchdigger]

BMW isettas had 4 wheels. The Heinkels and other branded versions had three. I know a guy who restored them for a living for 30 years. The very mention of 3 wheeled BMW's would send him into a rage.

[m3_eater]

I dig it! It will arrive fat, over-optioned, and expensive though. Just look at the new 1er!

[SpecM]

we'll never get one here

[ditchdigger]

I just called the guy I know. There were around 15 manufacturers BMW included that made isettas. The original was the Iso. Most of them were 3 wheeled with the exception being the BMW's.

BMW did make a 3 wheeled Isetta just for the UK market, It lacked a reverse gear so it could be registered as a motorcycle to cheat taxes and insurance.

So the correct answer is 98.9% of all BMW Isettas are 4 wheel cars. I was wrong.

I drove a 58 Isetta 300 for a while when I was thinking about buying and restoring one. It was fun and the looks you get driving them are priceless but just too impractical even for a "fun" car. At the time (late 80's) BMWCCA would not allow them in the club.