BMW Talk

First BMW Project i Car Set for Release on 2012

July 1st, 2009 Posted in BMW, Project i

BMW revealed in 2008 the plan of establishing the Project i Division which is assigned to develop technologies that can serve as solutions across its range of vehicles.

The Mini-E which was launched last year is the first baby of Project i. The electric car will be use by BMW to get the feedback of the market, especially the urban consumers, about their particular needs and wants when it comes to zero emission cars.

BMW is expected to come up with a range of zero emission units in the next few years under the bad of Megacity. The fleet will include highly efficient combustion powertrains and all electric variants.

The first unit due for release is a compact hatch which will be less expensive than the Mini and the 1 series. It appears that BMW is eyeing to produce more environment-friendly vehicles and veering away from luxury niches like the X7.

The first Project i car is aiming to meet the stricter standards set by the state of California. The three-door hatch is set to be released by 2012.

The details about the zero-emission hatchback have not been revealed. BMW hinted though that the car can accommodate four adults and will have under its hood an electric engine running on Lithium Ion batteries.

The styling of course will be dominated by the BMW styling with wide track, short overhangs, and low roofline.

There are also clues that Project i might release a motorbike, a sibling of the C1 scooter, and the next generation of Z2 roadster.