What do BMW Z13 Concept and BMW i3 have in common?

Jalopnik says this is not the first time that BMW made a lightweight, rear-engine, super-efficient city car hatchback. It was actually seen before in the BMW Z13 xoncept vehicle, which was introduced in 1993, and looked hilarious back then. The similarities, Jalopnik says, are striking. Here’s what they have to say:

Although the MINI built under BMW’s ownership went on to become the world’s leading premium compact car, the Z13 would have represented a major step forward had it gone into production. It was unlike anything on the market in 1993, and the industry has taken nearly two decades to match it. The 2005 Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 as well as the 2008 Toyota iQ are virtual Z13 clones, while the 2009 Nissan Pixo/Suzuki Alto show its influence, as well. BMW itself took even longer to revive the concept, adding a model beneath the MINI only with the MegaCity due in 2013.

So even though some referenced the legendary Isetta as a starting point for the i3, the closer we look at the BMW Z13 Concept we see the idea that BMW used for the i3 Megacity car.

Clearly the two models are extremely different when it comes to design but one cannot ignore the proportions and the use of lightweight materials that point to the new i3.