...this is the competition for the MINI.

http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/auto...o=2047210.html

ok, a couple details before I try to make a on-the-fly translation:

- BILD is Germanys largest "Newspaper" (category: what you read while visiting a port-o-let), their stories have usually less content than the NY Post and 90% of the article is spent on the headline
- the word "retusche" in the URL points to a render/touch-up even it isn't mentioned in the article
- the article names no official sources but suggests that BMW has made an announcement (this goes with BILD's usual style of bad journalism)

Translation:

BMW City - the eco Isetta

What Audi can do, BMW can do better.

That's the only way to interpret the announcement from BMW to build a compact car with minimal CO2 output, as a competitor to Audi's A1.

The BMW City, that's the name of the first BMW compact car since the Isetta, is based on the Mini(sic). The only 3.75 metre short 2-door is supposed to have a CO2 output of clearly below 100 grams per kilometer.

To achieve this, BMW counts on light construction, a sleek trim, a longer transmission ratio and the start-stop technology.

The first BMW with frontwheel drive will be powered by a transverse installed 1.4 litre turbo engine.

The BMW City is supposed to be released in 2010.

Like I said above, take it with a whole salt shaker (a grain won't be enough).

Cheers,
Volker

 

Kind of cute.

 

I don't know...something about a dinky BMW doesn't cut it for me. If I want a lux car, give me a 3 or 5 series (preferably with the letter M in front of it).

 

+1

Although I do like the 1 Series

 

yep, 335i for me.

 

It seems odd that BMW would come out with something that will compete with their own product (MINI). I guess the Cx of the MINI design isn't slippery enough to get those numbers and the MINI D just can get the CO2 low enough?