[a] Because of its egg shape and bubble -like windows, it became known as a bubble car, a name also given to other similar vehicles. [8] In 1955, the BMW Isetta became the world's first mass-production car to achieve a fuel consumption of 3 L/100 km (94 mpg ‑imp; 78 mpg ‑US). The BMW marketing department came up with the term "motocoupé" for the bubble car.
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In Germany, the Isetta was affectionately known as a "Knutschkugel" (cuddle coach). The BMW Isetta features a 236cc single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, generating 12 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 10 ft-lbs of torque at 4600 rpm. This compact engine serves as the core of this iconic bubble car, offering sufficient power for urban driving and short commutes.
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Coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission, the Isetta's performance is modest yet efficient, perfectly complementing its. The Bubble Car That Looked Straight Out Of A Sci-Fi Movie: Meet The BMW Isetta When the BMW Isetta rolled into view in the early 1950s, it looked like something that had docked from another planet. The weirdest ever BMW that opened like a fridge, the iconic BMW Isetta, was actually the car that saved the German brand.
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BMW is perhaps most famous for cars like the M5, the M3, and the M1 supercar, but in the 1950s, it was producing a quirky-looking three-wheeler called the Isetta. This fun microcar could trace its origins back to Italy, and in 2025, it's become such an oddity that it's. The Isetta was a microcar that was originally designed in Italy during the early 1950s.
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These photos show people using and riding Isetta cars. The 1950s-era BMW Isetta is likely one of the most forward-thinking cars of its time. Powered by a 298cc single-cylinder BMW motorcycle engine with a 4-speed manual transmission, the Isetta was the first mass.
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In this episode, we explore the fascinating story of the BMW Isetta 600, the quirky and lovable "Bubble Car" that became a post-war mobility icon and helped shape BMW's future. The Iso-designed front-opening door "bubble car" dated back to 1953 when refrigerator magnate (an irresistible phrase) Renzo Rivolta came up with the idea of an efficient city car for poverty stricken post-WWII Europe. It was powered by a 236cc two-stroke twin, and carried two people at about 50mph, getting about 50mpg.
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An original Iso Isetta. Italian motorcycle manufacturer Iso started the bubble car craze in 1953 with the BMW Isetta. Fitted with a BMW motorcycle engine, it sold in large numbers.
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