Clever will follow in the tradition of other innovative motorcycle-style vehicles from BMW that include the 50's Isetta and today's trend-setter, the C1.

As reported in the authoritative German magazine Auto Bild, top-secret plans have been uncovered for a BMW 3-seater tricycle aimed at beating city traffic.

Dubbed "Clever", the vehicle looks a lot like a larger, three-wheeled version of BMW's highly successful roofed C1 motor bike, yet has extra passenger seats that will give it the around-town versatility of Mercedes-Benz's Smart car.

BMW says the name "Clever" is an acronym for Compact Low Emission Vehicle for Educated Riders, but we think it's a take-off on Mercedes-Benz's Smart car.

Like the C1, the Clever is built around an extremely strong aluminum cage with composite plastics to keep out the weather, and combines the feeling of fresh air motoring with levels of occupant safety expected from a BMW car.

Auto Bild says the vehicle will have as standard equipment:

• Five air-bags
• ABS
• Four-point seatbelts

Unlike BMW's 1950s Isetta "bubble car", which had two wheels in front and one at the back, the Clever uses a more space-efficient layout with the single wheel in front and the driver sitting ahead of two passengers in V formation.

Insiders say BMW will use a 650cc motorcycle engine producing around 37 kW, with enough power and torque to provide the 600kg Clever with brisk performance.

The Clever is expected to be on sale in selected markets in 2005. Like the C1, Clever is not expected to make it to the USA.