BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer officially confirmed on April 22, 2010 that the company will bring its first series-production electric-vehicle to the market with the launch of the Megacity Vehicle in 2013.
“With this innovative vehicle, designed from the ground up, we will be creating new benchmarks for electric mobility from 2013 on,” Reithofer, said. “Our Megacity Vehicle will be significantly lighter than conventional cars and, in terms of sustainability, will set a new standard across the entire value-added chain.”
According to sources that spoke with AutoCar, the Megacity will be a full 5-seater vehicle and will be the size of cars in the Volkswagen Golf class. Insiders say that the Megacity will be rear-engined and rear-wheel drive. They said that while it will be a revolutionary design for electric-cars the model will feature some mainstream BMW touches.
What’s going to be so revolutionary about the BMW Megacity? First and foremost, the car will feature a lightweight, low-cost carbon fiber body developed in partnerships with SGL Carbon. The parts will be produced at a new factory in Moses Lake, Washington, in the United States. Technical specs wise, the Megacity is expected to get around 160 miles on a single charge. Most of the car’s powertrain will be closely related to the second-generation electric drive system previewed in the BMW ActiveE concept.
As far as the name goes, BMW has not confirmed what it will call the sub-brand that will carry the Megacity vehicle. Sources say it will not be the “Triumph” badge as previously rumored.
We’ll have more details as time goes on.
- By: Omar Rana
Source: AutoCar
