BMW and Fiat working on new small car platform, concept headed to Frankfurt?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Budget, Hybrid, Green, Hatchback, BMW, Fiat

We've been hearing rumblings that BMW and Fiat were working together on the development of future small vehicle platforms for a while now. With the German automaker working on an Isetta revival and the Italian firm moving forward with a new Topolino, it makes some sense that the two companies would join forces on a single platform sharedbetween the two small retromobiles.

According to Auto Express in the U.K., work is far enough along that we could see both new city cars by 2011. If current rumors are accurate, the cars will feature a rear-mounted engine and four seats, putting the machines on par with the new Toyota iQ and upcoming Up! from Volkswagen. AE says that light weight would be ensured through the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for the chassis and possibly even plastic bodywork, and if that's the case, we can't see these being anything less than premium-priced.

An electric drivetrain featuring one motor for each of the four wheels and a thin battery pack sandwiched under the passenger compartment is also likely. If there's any truth to these rumors, we could see a concept vehicle on the new platform wearing a Mini badge at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

[Source: Auto Express]

BMW and Fiat working on new small car platform, concept headed to Frankfurt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat to jump into bed with BMW, too?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: BMW, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Rumormill

Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW 1 Series

Dang. We've all met our fair share of individuals who get around, but Fiat seems to be taking things to new levels. Aside from its various joint ventures in emerging markets, the Italian automaker was first in bed with General Motors. That fell apart a while ago already, but now they've jumped into the sack with Chrysler. A partnership with ally Tata's Jaguar subsidiary was also rumored to be in the mix, while French auto group PSA could join in on the action, too. But the latest reports suggest that Fiat is preparing to announce another partnership, this time with BMW.

The partnership is expected to involve Fiat borrowing the platform from either the 1 Series or the MINI for Alfa Romeo's upcoming replacement for the 147 hatchback. Previous reports placed the two automakers potentially partnering on a new platform, while teaming up for sales of Alfa Romeos in North America, and but the latter will fall on Chrysler's shoulders now. Codenamed 149, the five-door counterpart to the front-drive MiTo was expected to employ Fiat's new C-Evo platform, but a switch to the MINI platform could save it the trouble, while the BMW 1 Series' architecture could put Alfa back on the rear-drive performance map.

[Source: Car and Driver via eGMCarTech]

Fiat to jump into bed with BMW, too? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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