BMW’s Hybrid Trike Gets 120 MPG
BMW’s Simple concept–which kinda looks like a Stealth Bomber with training wheels–is a hybrid trike that gets around 120 mpg.
The Simple (which stands for Sustainable and Innovative Mobility Product for Low Energy consumption) does 60 mph in just under ten seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph. The car weighs just over 900 lbs and has a super low drag coefficient of 0.18.
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Sebastian Schelper, BMW’s Project Lead for the Simple concept, says BMW “wanted to minimize the use of resources while using the vehicle but also during the production of the vehicle.”
BMW’s target for the concept is the professional commuter. Specifically, those professionals who travel a lot and often alone. Oh, you know who you are!
Simple is as tall as a 5 Series BMW but when it comes to length the MINI Cooper has it beat. The interior of the vehicle has seating space much like a 3 Series coupe: so not a whole lot.
Schelper says that driving the car is much like “riding an endless wave with your surfboard .”
Its driving performance is aided by automatic tilting technology though the hydraulics are only activated in exceptional coniditions. The driver feels no transverse forces and need not compensate for any lateral movements. The team wanted to combine both the features and the advantages from both cars and motorcycles.
While BMW has been a bit tight-lipped about its foray into the microcar market, this concept probably falls under the Bavarian automaker’s Project I. Other vehicles included in the project are the Megacity and a Z2. It’s rumored the Z2 will be a hybrid offering about 47 mpg.
The car is currently on display at the BMW Museum in Munich.
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Source: Wired’s Autopia
now this is an article
Great job
Here we go again.
A great possible product that will never be made cheaply by BMW and will never see the light of day.
Why doesn’t bmw try to make a REAL car, not a 3 wheeled motorcycle….
Nobody is going to buy this space ship/shit
To me, this is excellent: more mileage, smaller size, good speed and it’s stylish. However, how much does it cost? If something should happen to it, can I repair it as easily as any other car? Will this remain a concept car or will it be pushed into production for real?
i think this could easily be a feasible alternative solution for some. i live in a city. especially for commuters who dont really need to carry much this would help with parking issues and traffic. they dont really take up as much space.
k
Has anyone noticed it looks JUST LIKE the head of the T-Rex in Jurassic Park?
Jesus who doesn’t have a 3 wheeled leaning test car?
I think I like the Carver better. Even VW’s 3 wheeler looked a lot better.
It will never make it to market.
Welcome to the club, BMW, glad you could make it!
http://www.flytheroad.com/
looks like front end of an X-wing fighter
I have turned into a old man, waiting for concept vehicles.