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BMW's Megacity EV to feature carbon fiber passenger cell

BMW's upcoming Megacity vehicle may be the first volume-produced car with a passenger cell made from carbon.

Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
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Antuan Goodwin
BMW

BMW is experimenting with the crash-worthiness of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic passenger cell.
BMW is experimenting with the crash-worthiness of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic passenger cell. BMW

BMW upcoming Megacity electric vehicle will be the world's first volume-produced car with a passenger cell made from carbon fiber, according to the company.

This sketch is the clearest look we've had at BMW's Megacity electric vehicle.
This sketch is the clearest look we've had at BMW's Megacity electric vehicle. BMW

The automaker divides the Megacity's architecture into two major modules, which it dubs Life and Drive. The Life module consists of the high-strength, lightweight  passenger cell. According to the company, by constructing the cell of carbon fiber reinforced plastic it is able to reduce the weight of the Megacity vehicle to offset the extra 550 pounds to 770 pounds of mass the heavy battery packs and other electric drive components typically add to a car without compromising the vehicle's crash safety.

BMW's Drive module consists of the battery, electric motor and transmission, and other components that are vital to motivating the vehicle--as well those vital to protecting the passenger in the event of a crash, such as crumple zones--all rolled into the chassis module.

With the Life module, the Drive module, add a dash of BMW's love of portmanteaus combined, you get what BMW calls the LifeDrive architecture, which the Megacity electric vehicle will be built on when it comes to the market in 2013.