When the new MINI Cooper debuted back in 2001, it was impossible not to note how much larger the car was than its classic predecessor. The less-than-mini size of the vehicle is even more obvious in Europe, where the majority of cars on the road share roughly the same dimensions. It comes as little surprise then that the brand famous for thinking small is preparing to unveil a new more-mini MINI at the Geneva Auto Show next week.

Called the Rocketman concept, this isn’t a production car and it’s easy to see why, with a state-of-the-art carbon fiber spaceframe that allows it to be incredibly light – although oddly enough, MINI isn’t listing any figures relating to its weight.

Powered by what is rumored to be a turbocharged diesel 3-cylinder, the Rocketman is capable of 94-mpg. That’s imperial mpg’s however, with a U.S. number closer to the 78-mpg mark.

Size wise, its 11-feet 3-inches long, which just over a foot shorter in length than the current Cooper hardtop. For added perspective, the Smart fortwo is nearly 9-feet in length.

Inside there’s seating for 3+1 (similar to Toyota’s iQ) with three seats for adults and an occasional use seat for a child. Getting into and out of the car is made easy thanks to innovative doors that have double hinges, allowing them to open extra wide when there’s room or to almost slide open when in tighter spots. Improved ease of access is also possible as when the doors open there is no sidesill to step over. Instead the bottom of the car moves with the door, as the carbon frame means rocker panels no longer have to be structural elements.

In terms of styling, it’s always hard to tell how close a MINI concept is to production. Most automakers get pretty wild with their concepts, but MINI’s designers are too concerned with crafting the car to look like a MINI to be overly creative. There are, however, a few unique elements, like the 18-inch carbon fiber wheels designed with aerodynamics in mid. And let’s not forget the glass Union Jack roof.

Inside, it’s typical MINI too, with a large center speedo (oh how we loathe you) that has a 3D display, and a futuristic look at MINI Connected with a joystick on the center console and steering wheel mounted controls to help you stay more connected.

MINI says the Rocketman concept is a look at a possible future model, taking into account the brand’s core values, which include premium trim, a creative use of space and a dynamic driving experience.

Will MINI bring the Rocketman to market? Possibly, however, it’s not likely to make it across the Atlantic. In a recent interview with AutoGuide, MINI U.S.A. boss Jim McDowell said he didn’t foresee any smaller or larger MINIs in North America.

Expect news on the production possibility when the car debuts next week at the Geneva Auto Show. Until then, see all the previewed cars for Geneva here.

GALLERY: MINI Rocketman Concept

Get more on the Rocketman Concept with the official release after the jump:

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While rumors of the new BMW sub-brand have been floating around for months, February 21st has been marked as the official announcement date for details the sub-brand, and the apparently revolutionary MegaCity electric vehicle.

Many suggest that the new sub-brand will be a re-imagining of the Isetta microcar of nearly a half century ago, and use some of the advanced materials that the Megacity also uses. Smaller internal combustion engines are a possibility, with the MegaCity setting itself apart by using the all electric drivetrain used in the BMW ActiveE.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

BMW is looking for an alternative to traditional purchasing options for their upcoming MegaCity urban vehicle, as the high cost of developing substantially new technology may result in the vehicle becoming prohibitively expensive for consumers. Among the projects being considered are a car-sharing service similar to the one operated by Daimler for their Smart car EVs. “More and more people in large cities are looking for an alternative to the ownership of a vehicle,” said Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief, in an interview with Automotive News.

The Megacity represents a radical shift from the traditional automobile by using a full electric drivetrain combined with a passenger cell constructed entirely from carbon fiber. The vehicle’s construction is said to be different from a traditional unibody, and doesn’t require things like paint  or conventional crash protection methods. Naturally, the cost of the new technology will be astronomical, and the 6-year engineering time needed for the car will seem paltry compared to the challenge of selling and marketing such a car.

[Source: Automotive News]

A report from Britain’s Autocar magazine is claiming that BMW‘s Megacity electric car will exceed the Nissan Leaf’s sticker price of £23,350 (or about $37,000 USD) due to both the advanced technology used on the Megacity and BMW‘s premium positioning.

The Megacity will have a number of groundbreaking features; an aluminum chassis that will resist corrosion, a passenger compartment made of carbon fiber and an electric motor with a 1-speed gearbox. One benefit of the Megacity is that the significantly smaller number of parts will make production more efficient, but the savings will not be passed onto consumers. “BMW is a premium product and electric mobility will not be cheap,”said Autocar’s source.

[Source: Autocar]

Not one to let its long-time rival capitalize on every niche, Mercedes-Benz is apparently working on a small city car to rival BMW’s MegaCity project.

Although only sketches and clay models exist, a possible synergy with the Smart brand could exist, especially in light of the brand’s recent foray into electric vehicles. The vehicle’s styling work is being carried out at Mercedes-Benz’s studio in Yokohama, Japan, under the direction of Holger Hutzenlaub.

“We been looking outside the automotive industry, including the trend towards mini city houses, to generate new ideas on space utilization and packaging,” said Hutzenlaub. With Japan’s lack of space and love for minicars, the metropolis of Yokohama is an ideal center for development, and will likely influence the project in a unique way. But with so little work done at this point, don’t expect a finish product for a number of years.

[Source: Autocar]

BMW is making strides and pushing forward with their Project i, a concept launched in 2007 to push sustainable mobility solutions. They’ve now launched a website, dubbed Project i Beta, which will ultimately become a sub brand for BMW, offering products and services for sustainable mobility.

For those interested in the future and beyond, the website is a giant think tank for BMW to share its ideas and what’s going on in those brilliant minds of theirs. Highlights on the website currently include a profile on their Megacity Vehicle, LifeDrive Concept and e-mobility.

There’s no questioning that electric cars are on the horizon and possibly the way of the future and it’s interesting to see which manufacturers will be pioneers in embracing the technology. So if you have any interest in what BMW has up their sleeves, make sure to check out their new site.

[Source: Project-i]

BMW will allow consumers to try out their ActiveE electric car, based on the 1-Series Coupe, in certain markets, prior to a broader rollout of electric vehicles, culminating in the Megacity EV’s debut in 2013.

The ActiveE will be offered for lease starting next summer. The ActiveE will be offered in New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston and Connecticut – all places where an electric car is likely to be well received.  With a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph, the ActiveE is likely suited to these locales, where distance driving is not as crucial and having a BMW badge on the hood goes a long way in the status rat race.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

[Source: BMW]

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BMW‘s new joint venture with SGL Group on a carbon fiber plant in Washington state got underway, as the two companies broke ground on the factory.

While vehicle assembly will take place in Germany, the carbon fiber material production will take place in the state, due to the large presence of aerospace expertise in the area. An estimated 80 full-time jobs will come out of the joint venture, called SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers.

BMW’s Megacity Electric Vehicle will be the first car to utilize a full carbon fiber structure when it debuts in 2013.

One element of automotive design that most folks fail to appreciate is the lead times required to build a new vehicle. It’s not uncommon for car makers to start developing the next generation of a model immediately after they launch an all-new car.

With something as radically new as carbon fiber structural components, the lead times can take closer to a decade. The Lexus LFA, which uses a significant amount of carbon fiber, took nine years to develop. BMW will be releasing their MegaCity electric car, which will feature an entirely carbon fiber structure, is set to be launched in 2013, but a decade before that, BMW engineers were preparing for it, in the form of an X5 with a carbon fiber unibody.

The X5, which was fitted with the biggest V8 engine available, has its entire body made out of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). Only the doors are made out of steel, and one can see the weave pattern when the door frames and structural pillars are examined. BMW claims they put 25,000 miles on the car, and that the new material saved roughly 440 pounds.

[Source: BMW Blog]

Gallery: BMW Blog

BMW has just released the first teaser sketches of its Megacity electric vehicle, which it claims will be the first mass-produced car to use complete carbon fiber construction. That’s right, not only will the body panels be made of the light-weight carbon fiber weave, but so will the entire structure. Up until now, the only vehicles that use such a light-weight and expensive chassis are the McLaren MP4-12C, the Lexus LFA and the Aston Martin One-77.

The use of carbon fiber will allow BMW engineers to keep weight to a minimum, which is important as electric batteries tend to be very heavy. The current setup BMW is working with includes an electric motor with just over 100 kilowatts (roughly 134-hp). Top speed for the car will be limited to 93 mph. As an urban commuter, BMW is looking to design the car with maximum range, rather than speed.

Interestingly, BMW is planning to use an aggressive regenerative braking system, similar to the one found in the MINI E. As a result, the car will slow significantly when the operator lets off the accelerator, allowing the Megacity to be driven mostly with just the gas pedal.

BMW is preparing to launch its innovative new electric car in 2013.

GALLERY: BMW Megacity

For the complete BMW release that makes War & Peace look like a kids book, see after the jump:

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