BMW has already announced that more carbon fiber components will be making their way into more of their vehicles over the next several years. The material is not only incredibly strong, but its light weight will be helpful for improving fuel-efficiency as well.
But for their first electric vehicle, the BMW Megacity, the Bavarian automaker is not simply using carbon components across the roof, or the interior, or limiting the usage to any one specific area. Instead, all of the body panels and the entire structure of the upcoming Megacity will be carbon fiber. As a result, it will be the first high-volume vehicle, other than rare supercars, to be made with a carbon fiber.
In addition to its super lightweight body, the BMW Megacity will feature an electric motor that produces more than 100 kilowatts, enabling it to travel at speeds of more then 93 mph. Like the MINI E, the Megacity will reportedly also feature strong regenerative braking, noticeably stronger than other hybrids/EVs, when the driver releases the accelerator. The reason for this is that BWM wants the brake to be used as a sort of emergency option only, while the accelerator will be used for most driving.
Stay tuned for more details. The Megacity is slated to begin sales in 2013.
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