BMW Isetta Another Blast From The Past

[JoshCalkins]

BMW Isetta

Right on the heels of news that the E30 M3 and 2002 tii would be getting a spiritual successor in the form of the 2012 1-Series Supersport, it looks as though another BMW classic is getting ready to hit the streets again.

The BMW Isetta was a small economy vehicle that was hugely popular in the late 1950s and early 60s. The Isetta name was shared with many other manufacturers at the time (originating from an Italian automaker named Iso), and was fondly referred to by the German public as das rollende Ei, which translates to, "the rolling egg." The usual configuration of the vehicle was a three wheel design, with two wheels in front. larger versions of the Isetta had four wheels.

BMW Isetta 600

The reason for this revival is a deal that BMW made with Italian automaker Fiat recently. The deal stated that the two companies would share the development costs of a new small-car platform, and the new Isetta is BMW's results from that platform. The German automaker is expected to debut the Isetta at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of this year. The Fiat version of the vehicle will be named the Topolino and will likely make its debut around that, if not at the same, time.

While the old Isetta was a very inexpensive, no-frills car, the new Isetta will carry on BMW's high-class image, and despite its small size, will likely retail in the mid-$20 price range. There are plans for the Isetta to come to North American markets, but the Fiat version will likely remain in the Europe and Asian markets.

[Blackice]

What ! Say its not true....

"the rolling egg." Is got to be the ugliest BMW out there. Sorry but why?

Why bring back a car that has a name that translates to an egg. It is just wrong.

PS Great work on the articles Josh !

Keep them coming

[JoshCalkins]

Originally Posted by Blackice What ! Say its not true.... "the rolling egg." Is got to be the ugliest BMW out there. Sorry but why? Why bring back a car that has a name that translates to an egg. It is just wrong. PS Great work on the articles Josh ! Keep them coming

No doubt, the Isetta was one ugly vehicle. There may be hope though. The old Fiat Topolino was a four-wheel (not three like the smaller Isettas) that kind of looked like an old VW bug that had the hood and wheel base stretched out. If the new platform these cars share takes more of its cues from the Fiat, it may not end up being that ugly of a car.

Here's a pic:

The main thing that puzzles me, though, is that the BMW family already has the Mini. Why build an Isetta when that segment of the market is already covered by such a well known vehicle? If they want a BMW-branded vehicle in the compact class, why not take the proven Mini platform, spruce it up with some extras, and sell it that way?...Crazy Germans, compacts are for Fiat.

-Josh

[motoyen]

It's for environmental reasons, something to do with carbon emissions quotas. They have to offset the emissions produced by the larger cars so they keep making smaller and smaller cars. It's also about greed. When the Japanese entered the luxury car market the Germans decided that to increase profits they needed to increase their product range. This is totally diluted their brand recognition and is causing huge problems for them in this downturn.

Anyone remember when BMW had 3 brands? 3,5 and 7. Now they have 1,3,5,6,7,X and Z! No wonder their profits have tanked by 90%.