The German luxury carmaker has unveiled a thinly-disguised show car of its next-generation roadster, to be built in conjunction with Toyota.
That kidney grille is big!
Oh yes it is, and probably the biggest BMW has ever made so far. Although the BMW Concept Z4 is a show car that’s currently being premiered at Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California this week, it’s a thinly disguised version of the production-ready article due next year.
Aside that imposing front grille, the headlights have been given an angrier look for a true shark-like face. As well, the rear lamps are designed in a slimmer and horizontal manner helping for racy and broad stance for the body, with additional thanks going to the two domes behind the front seats.
BMW says the laid-back profile remains but with a shorter snout this time for increased driving agility --something sorely missing in today’s preceding model.
Oh, and any suggestion that the next-generation Z4 will be dubbed Z5 can now be totally dismissed. The name of the concept car confirms the roadster’s badging and conformation to the brand’s even-numbered designation for sports cars.
Is BMW really ditching that folding hard-top?
BMW isn’t discussing about this matter, although it is now well-known that it is planning to ditch the folding hard-top in favour of the classic soft-top type.
In fact, word has it that the next 4-series Convertible – due around 2019 – will also revert to a rag-top. The folding tin-tops in today’s 4-series Convertible and Z4 have complex operations, erode into luggage space and add substantial weight to the cars. A BMW insider says canvas-tops can now be developed to offer cruising refinement level nearly as well when driving roof-up.
Like in the classic Z car tradition of BMW, the new Z4 will be a strict two-seater with probably better levels of cargo-carrying ability. As seen in the picture of the interior, the fascia design and two digital screens – one on the centre and the other behind the showy steering wheel – are production certs.
Any news concerning its power?
Nope, as BMW hasn’t discussed it about either. But it shouldn’t be hard to envisage the engine lineup for the new Z4 should the strategy on today’s model is taken into consideration.
Apart from an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel-drive transmission, there should be 2.0-litre four- and 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol-turbo engines propelling the Z4 with an expected power range of some 200-340hp.
We know what you’re about to ask, but a potential 400hp-plus Z4 M is unlikely, according to sources familiar with the matter.
As you now well know, the new Z4 will be made alongside a jointly-developed sports car from Toyota highly likely to revive the legendary Supra nameplate last used some 15 years back. However, the new Supra is likely to only come as a fixed-top coupe, whereas the Z4 will be purely a roadster.
And because BMW and Toyota have joined hands in producing the new cars at the same factory (in Austria, it is claimed) to boost economies of scales, production there is set to be tight to really be able to accommodate special versions with reworked bodies and drivetrains.
