BMW Dune Taxi - UAE Dubai
A recent YouTube video showcasing a BMW Dune Taxi sparked speculation that BMW might be signaling its entry into the Extreme E electric off-road championship. The film featured a vehicle adorned with BMW’s iconic kidney grilles, but it's evident that the Dune Taxi is heavily based on the Odyssey 21. This all-wheel drive electric racer, developed by Spark Racing Technology, is the standard model for all teams in the Extreme E competition.
Despite the BMW styling cues, the Dune Taxi closely mirrors the Odyssey 21 in design. The video reveals that the vehicle is constructed from natural fiber reinforced polymer and boasts impressive specifications: 400 mm (15.8 inches) of wheel travel and a powerful output of 400 kW (536 hp / 544 PS) and 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque to its four wheels. These specifications align precisely with the known data for the Odyssey 21.
However, any rumors of BMW's entry into electric racing were dispelled when we contacted BMW Group Middle East. They clarified that the Dune Taxi is merely a one-off project with no racing intentions. Furthermore, they confirmed that BMW currently has no plans to re-enter any electrified racing formats.
El Sherif, in an email conversation, shared insights into the Dune Taxi's significance, stating that it represents BMW's drive to constantly innovate and push boundaries. He emphasized that this spirit of innovation is not just limited to experimental projects but extends to their mainstream lineup as well. According to El Sherif, the capabilities demonstrated by the Dune Taxi in extreme conditions are reflective of what BMW's X6 M, iX M60, and the upcoming XM models can reliably perform on everyday terrains like tarmac, gravel, sand, or snow.
While it is somewhat disheartening to learn that BMW isn't gearing up to enter the Extreme E arena, we must commend BMW Middle East for their ingenuity and creativity. Their creation of the Dune Taxi is not just a remarkable engineering feat but also a highly original and engaging piece of content, capturing the imagination of BMW enthusiasts and the automotive community alike.