BMW confirms Megacity production
February 23, 2010 § 1 Comment
BMW is to build its Megacity electric car in Leipzig, Germany, with parts supplied from its plants in Wackersdorf and Landshut. “The BMW Group will build the car of the future in Leipzig with high-tech innovations from Bavaria”, said CEO Norbert Reithofer yesterday. “We have a tried and tested production network here and high levels of education and outstanding competencies at our disposal.”
The Megacity (working title for this as-yet unnamed supermini) will use electric-drive technology previewed in BMW’s ActiveE concept car (pictured), a 1-Series Coupe-based prototype seen at the Detroit Motor Show last month. Data on charging, range and performance of the powertrain collected in the Mini E field trials will also feed into the Megacity’s development.
Born from BMW’s Project i programme, the Megacity platform will ultimately form the basis of a variety of vehicles in different bodystyles. The first is scheduled for production in mid-2013.
[...] – BMW is going to lease its electric 1-Series coupe, previewed by the ActivE concept, in Berlin, London, Paris and several US cities. A test fleet of up to 700 cars will be available. The 170bhp ActivE can do 160kph and has a range of 170km. As with the Mini E trials, this programme will feed into the development of the Megacity electric vehicle. [...]