Currently reading: Radical Megacity to shape future BMWs
BMW says all of its future cars will be influenced by the revolutionary Megacity, due in 2013

BMW is pushing ahead with technology that will revolutionise the way it makes its cars — and give them double or even triple the lifespans of current production vehicles.

The radical carbonfibre construction and separate chassis of BMW’s Megacity vehicle could start to underpin a significant proportion of the firm’s upper end output from the beginning of the next decade, as the car industry is hit by the triple whammy of CO2 reduction legislation, the peaking of oil production and the continuing emigration of the world’s population to rapidly expanding cities.

See Autocar's exclusive rendering of the BMW Megacity, as well as BMW's official Megacity pics

Originally dubbed ‘Project i’, BMW’s attempt to establish just how to provide mobility from 2020 onwards was seen by the company board as a complete rethink of the car itself.

“Strategy number one,” a BMW source told Autocar, “was an attempt to create the future, understanding future customer needs and accessing key new technology. It is the only way to ensure growth in the long term.”

BMW’s research predicts that much of the world will be affected by “mega trends” as consumer behaviour “makes a major step into the future”. A big shift in political forces is also foreseen.

“Aside from environmental regulations,” the firm said, “we expect legislation to mushroom, restricting vehicle access to city centres and the establishment of intelligent traffic control systems”.

A shift towards global culture is also predicted, with tastes among middle-class consumers beginning to merge, particularly on sustainability.

The Megacity car, due in 2013, will be sold under a sub brand and meet the issue of sustainability head-on. BMW admits that it will have a much longer service life than a typical modern car.

Hilton Holloway

Now read an in-depth analysis on the development of the BMW MegacityPlus, read a technical break-down on Megacity and its various components

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Los Angeles 20 August 2010

Re: Radical Megacity to shape future BMWs

Autocar wrote:
BMW is pushing ahead with technology that will revolutionise the way it makes its cars
I like the way the wheels are a positive of five spoked alloys. In fact, the rendering is the most radical design for a BMW I can recall that's not downright perverse.

Maxycat 20 August 2010

Re: Radical Megacity to shape future BMWs

Autocar wrote:
BMW is pushing ahead with technology that will revolutionise the way it makes its cars — and give them double or even triple the lifespans of current production vehicles.
Any vehicle made for a 45 year lifespan would be so out of date near the end of its life to make it impractical to run. Think of cars made in 1965 as every day transport today. Further if the Worlds populations are moving to cities their is little need for personal cars as in large towns now there is a practical public transport system during office hours and simple battery powered cars of current technology can provide town only transport for out of normal hours transport. Oil production has "peaked" purely due to the recession and higher prices causing demand to fall. Running out of oil was a big story forty years ago and the oil companies keep finding more oil available to exploit as the price rises and technology enables more finds of recoverable oil.

Nappeunnom 20 August 2010

Re: Radical Megacity to shape future BMWs

Los Angeles wrote:
An announcement from BMW of a leap forward in cutting edge design and technology consigns Bangle's angles to proper historical context - a passing experiment in automotive fashion.
I had a good chuckle a this. We have a petty grudge against Mr. Bangle, do we? It consigns, not just Bangle's creations, but all previous designs 'to proper historical context'. What you have just announced is similar to saying 'fish won't survive the sun's expansion'. Way to go, Sherlock!