Report: BMW to use Toyota iQ platform for new Isetta minicar

Posted: Aug 31, 2009
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According to reports coming out of the United States, Toyota is talking to BMW about using the company’s Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster platform for future model variants. In return, Toyota will give BMW its iQ minicar platform to upderpin a production version of BMW’s upcoming city electric-car, rumored to be called the Isetta.

The Mini Coupe Concept and the Mini Roadster Concept will make their world-debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor show later next month. Both models are expected to make it to production in two to three years.

BMW’s CEO, Norbert Reithofer, confirmed earlier this month that the automaker will launch a new sub-brand to market its upcoming Megacity Vehicle. He said that the new sub-brand will sell a range of substantial vehicles.

Aston Martin is already working with Toyota to use the Japanese automaker’s iQ platform for its Cygnet minicar.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoCar


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  • emma

    The return of the Isetta would be cool. Hopefully the ingress/egress is still from the front.

    Toyota is doing well these days. First, Aston Martin and now BMW? What is next? Maybe Ferrari. Ferrari driving dynamic would be a great shot to Toyota.

  • zermatt

    As cool as the original Isetta was with the front opening door, I would doubt that an Isetta reworking would include a front mounted entry door for 2 reasons. The first has to do with the Toyota that it will be based on is front wheel drive. The second would be the problem with getting out of the vehicles after it has suffered damage to the front of the car – you better be toting the Jaws of Life to get you out of the car.

  • Pat

    I'd rather buy the aston martin Cygnet

  • emma

    The return of the Isetta would be cool. Hopefully the ingress/egress is still from the front.

    Toyota is doing well these days. First, Aston Martin and now BMW? What is next? Maybe Ferrari. Ferrari driving dynamic would be a great shot to Toyota.

  • zermatt

    As cool as the original Isetta was with the front opening door, I would doubt that an Isetta reworking would include a front mounted entry door for 2 reasons. The first has to do with the Toyota that it will be based on is front wheel drive. The second would be the problem with getting out of the vehicles after it has suffered damage to the front of the car – you better be toting the Jaws of Life to get you out of the car.

  • Pat

    I'd rather buy the aston martin Cygnet