BMW’s cooperation with Toyota will give birth to the company’s first fuel-cell vehicle, confirming a hunch we had for a while now. According to a Toyota fuel cell exec, BMW will use the Japanese tech to bring out its first FCV in 2016, in the shape of the i3.
Photo: BMW
Leaving the supercar rumors behind, this is the one piece of info that actually makes sense, regarding the much talked about collaboration. We’ve actually been saying for a while that BMW will get access to the fuel-cell tech Toyota is developing and, in return, will help the Japanese launch a sports car with a proper chassis and engine, some sort of Supra revival.
The hydrogen-fueled i3 would be launched somewhere in 2016, celebrating the company’s 100th anniversary, according to Toyota USA’s advanced vehicle boss, Craig Scott, speaking for Motoring.
"We have a joint partnership with BMW, so we know... where they’re headed. It’s a technology development program where we are supposed to be jointly developing a fuel cell powertrain. How much joint is involved I’m not sure. But, you know, I think both companies have a lot to learn from each other,” Scott explained.
This would not be the first fuel-cell vehicle ever made by BMW but it would be the first production, affordable one that is actually usable on a daily basis. Until the FCEV i3 comes out, Toyota plans to release its first FCV in Germany, the UK and US just next year. It will cost $69,000 and it will be most likely named ‘Mirai’ which means ‘future’ in Japanese.
The hydrogen-fueled i3 would be launched somewhere in 2016, celebrating the company’s 100th anniversary, according to Toyota USA’s advanced vehicle boss, Craig Scott, speaking for Motoring.
"We have a joint partnership with BMW, so we know... where they’re headed. It’s a technology development program where we are supposed to be jointly developing a fuel cell powertrain. How much joint is involved I’m not sure. But, you know, I think both companies have a lot to learn from each other,” Scott explained.
This would not be the first fuel-cell vehicle ever made by BMW but it would be the first production, affordable one that is actually usable on a daily basis. Until the FCEV i3 comes out, Toyota plans to release its first FCV in Germany, the UK and US just next year. It will cost $69,000 and it will be most likely named ‘Mirai’ which means ‘future’ in Japanese.
Google News