The BMW 600 – The Isetta Grows Up
In December 1957, BMW introduced the 600 – a vehicle that built on the Isetta concept but opened an entirely new dimension. Unlike the Isetta, the BMW 600 offered seating for up to four people, a conventional side door on the right, and a powerful flat-twin engine with 582cc. Until October 1959, 34,813 examples were built.
Engine – 582 cc Flat-Twin
| SpecificationBMW 600Isetta 300 (comparison) | ||
| Engine type | 2-cylinder flat-twin, 4-stroke | 1-cylinder, 4-stroke |
| Displacement | 582 cc | 295 cc |
| Power | 19.5 hp at 4,500 rpm | 13 hp at 5,200 rpm |
| Torque | 3.9 mkg at 4,300 rpm | – |
| Top speed | 100 km/h | 85 km/h |
| Fuel tank | 23 litres | 13 litres |
Dimensions and Performance
| SpecificationBMW 600 | |
| Length | 2,900 mm |
| Width | 1,400 mm |
| Height | 1,375 mm |
| Kerb weight | 560 kg |
| Payload | 340 kg |
| Top speed | 100 km/h |
| Fuel consumption (factory) | 5.5 L/100 km |
End of Production
The BMW 600 was conceived as a family car to complement the Isetta. However it never achieved the popularity of its smaller sibling. Competition from the BMW 700, introduced in 1959, quickly sealed its fate. Production was halted in October 1959 after just two years. Of the 34,813 examples built, only a few survive today, making the BMW 600 a sought-after collector's item.
