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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chewy @ Apr 12th 2008 7:40PM
BMW please do it!
I think that would be the first Canadian car
Westside T.O. @ Apr 13th 2008 1:29AM
That would be interesting!
DUH @ Apr 12th 2008 7:44PM
Mini. DUH. This is too small for a 2 series. And the 1-Series has been cursed with the current uglyness for the next 4-6 years anyhow. Or, a new Lexus-fighting "luxury+sport+environment" band, maybe light on the performance. BMW's Eco brand.
Rocketboy @ Apr 13th 2008 12:45PM
I totally see this as the start of a new Mini Moke
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_Moke
mammy @ Apr 12th 2008 7:52PM
It is too retro for me and I don't think it's pratical. Who is realy going to go off roading with that thing?
tankd0g @ Apr 13th 2008 1:03AM
Looks like an ATV with a rain hat. Question is, who is going to go grocery shopping in that thing?
mammy @ Apr 12th 2008 8:04PM
I take that back, it's not retro.
DC @ Apr 12th 2008 8:36PM
Isetta? No surprise, something like this had to happen unless BMW and Mercedes are suicidal.
vw junky @ Apr 12th 2008 10:01PM
More like Steyr Puch Haflinger retro off road vehicle!
I would like one!
later
E
Jeff Banks @ Apr 12th 2008 10:32PM
This looks really awesome. I'd take one with a petrol engine. I'm not patient enough for anything else.
Nacon @ Apr 12th 2008 11:53PM
Sounds good but... what's the deal with the design? Look like it came out from old Star Trek.
adhominem @ Apr 13th 2008 6:01AM
"Those other Bavarians"? Huh? What Bavarians besides BMW are mentioned in the article?
eddy @ Apr 13th 2008 1:24PM
Mercedes isn't Bavarian. Mercedes is from Stuttgart (Swabia).
Audi and BMW are Bavarians.
Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are Swabians.
And Volkswagen is from Lower-Saxony.