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The Magna MILA Alpin concept car shown in Geneva has gotten the attention of both Mercedes and BMW. The button-cute 4-wheeler rode on a flexible platform, could utilize a variety of fuel sources, climb 45-degree angles, and get up to 120 mph. Those capabilities, and the ability to be easily rebodied and cost-effectively manufactured, have the two premium brands looking at ways to bolster their lineups and enviro-credentials.

Mercedes is known to be working on developing a 4-wheel-drive A-Class sedan. While the sandwich floors in the A-Class and B-Class cars were specifically created to allow flexible drivetrains, it is open to exploring options with BMW. Those other Bavarians in blue and white appear to be even more serious, having engaged Magna to discuss strategy and market demand. The MILA could provide a sound platform for BMW's electric car rumblings, as well as cost-effective, outsourced manufacturing.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via TTAC]

BMW and Mercedes talk to Magna about Mila originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwmagnamagna internationalmagna mila alpinmagna mila alpin conceptmagna mila conceptmagna mila coneptmagna steyrMagnaInternationalMagnaMilaAlpinMagnaMilaAlpinConceptMagnaMilaConceptMagnaMilaConeptmagnasteyrmercedesmilaSat, 12 Apr 2008 18:51:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1152831/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/04/12/bmw-and-mercedes-talk-to-magna-about-mila/1152831/article-detail.xml 1152831 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/mila_makes_friends_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/mila_makes_friends.jpg <![CDATA[Swiss Army Roof: Magna Steyr MILA Future]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/19/swiss-army-roof-magna-steyr-mila-future/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/19/swiss-army-roof-magna-steyr-mila-future/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/19/swiss-army-roof-magna-steyr-mila-future/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click on the image above to jump to our high-resolution image gallery

Innovations in retractable hard-tops come from what could very well be the broadest range of sources in the industry. The complex retractable roof systems are sometimes designed and developed by the automakers themselves, sometimes by specialists like ASC, sometimes from design houses like Fioravanti (whose flip-top made it onto the Ferrari Superamerica), and sometimes they're even made by independent garages (like this Mustang we brought you earlier). This system, perhaps the most innovative to date, was designed by component manufacturer Magna Steyr and showcased in the MILA Future concept.

The roof is an ingenious four-in-one system that transforms from a fixed roof into a full convertible, a targa or a "landaulet" with the rear window retracted. The system is comprised of the roof section, the rear decklid (with integrated B and C pillar buttresses) and the retractable rear window glass, and is designed to optimize trunk space.

The concept was apparently displayed at the huge Geneva show a couple weeks ago, but with all the manufacturers' press conferences running with typical Swiss precision, we unfortunately missed it. You can, however, check out the images of the car in various states of openness in the gallery as well as the press release after the jump.

[Source: Magna Steyr via Carscoop]

Gallery: Magna Steyr MILA Future concept

Continue reading Swiss Army Roof: Magna Steyr MILA Future

Swiss Army Roof: Magna Steyr MILA Future originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cabrioconceptconvertiblecoupefuturelandauletmagnamilaroadstersteyrtargaMon, 19 Mar 2007 11:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/853504/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/03/19/swiss-army-roof-magna-steyr-mila-future/853504/article-detail.xml 853504 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/mila_future_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/mila_future_450.jpg -1 2