Megacity and A2 go head to head

BMW MEGACITY ELECTRIC

And that's what seems to be happening with the development of the elusive Megacity, a car which aims to radicalise the electric vehicle market with its use of super high technology.

The car's powertrain will be closely based on the second-generation electric drive system previewed in the BMW Active E hybrid, a system class leading in terms of range, acceleration and battery packaging. But it's in the use of a lightweight, low-cost carbonfibre body that the Megacity will step things up a gear.

HIGH-TEC, PRICE DOWN

In a joint venture with US firm SGL, BMW are developing a mass-market way of producing carbonfibre monocoque bodywork. In theory this will dramatically reduce the potential price and weight of the Megacity as well as offering improved performance (and range).

In a reverse of the unlikely, the car will not go out under the 'Triumph' marque as previously suggested but rather operate as a yet undisclosed sub-brand ostensibly separate from BMW.

AUDI A2 ELECTRIC

And the response from Audi? An announcement that an electric-only A2 will be released in 2012, to trump BMWs proposed 2013 release date for the Megacity.

The A2 previously stumbled because of the high prices its high technology demanded. An aluminium spaceframe and luxury vehicle pretentions didn't sit so well with consumers.

But it's clear Audi now sees a new pathway for the A2, when potentially linked to EV technology. And if it allows it to keep pace with its major rival's development schedule, so much the better for them.

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