The Isetta is undoubtedly a legendary model in BMW's history, it is the most sporty BMW model, but it once single-handedly brought BMW back to life, which was hovering on the brink of bankruptcy.
In fact, Isetta is not BMW's "pro-son". In the 1950s, the Italian company Iso, known for producing motorcycles and refrigerators, developed the Isetta in 1953, setting off the bubble car boom at that time.
At that time, BMW, which was bent on opening sales by producing economic models, immediately saw the project and decisively obtained the copyright of Isetta in a "buy, buy, buy" manner.
In 1955, the improved BMW brand Isetta 250 was officially introduced.
BMW is equipped with a 12-horsepower air-cooled engine for motorcycles, which can reach a top speed of 85 km/h, while the fuel consumption of 100 km/h is only 3.8 liters.
At the time, the BMW Isetta was the world's first model with a fuel consumption of only 3 litres per 100 kilometers.
In order to strengthen the stability of the body, BMW, which was overstretched at the time, added a wheel to the original three wheels and used independent suspension.
Isetta 300 used Tractor
With a length of 2.28 meters, a body width of 1.38 meters, and a wheelbase of 1.5 meters, the size is even smaller than the current smart.
The round body is like an egg buckled on 4 wheels, coupled with the design of the front door, this car can travel freely in the city, after parking, just open the door like a refrigerator to get out, what old man is happy?
With the hot sale of Isetta, BMW also launched a number of versions of right-hand drive and convertible for overseas markets, and fans around the world have also made various modifications to it, giving this egg car more ways to play.
Of course, Isetta's biggest advantage is the price. The price of 2550 marks was equivalent to half a year's salary of the German working class at that time, and the cheap price and cost of use also knocked on the door of many ordinary families in Germany.
In the eight years of production, the Isetta sold a total of 168,000 units, making it the best-selling single-cylinder model in the world.
In 1962, with the fierce competition of a variety of new models and the change of people's car purchase demand, the Isetta was officially discontinued, and BMW returned to the development of luxury models.
Isetta's success is largely due to its low price and relatively superior performance, which can meet the daily needs of ordinary people, and its fashionable and joyful shape is also indispensable.
Looking back at history, Isetta was a contributor to the BMW revival, but it was a beautiful surprise for BMW after all.