BMW planning Z2 roadster?
With rumors already circulating about a successor to the Z8, German car magazine and Photoshop showcase Auto Bild has launched speculation about a downmarket Z-car to slot in below the Z4. The rationale? With the demise of the Z3, BMW is left without a small 4-cylinder sports car to compete with the likes of the Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and Mazda MX-5.Although the Z2 has not been given the official green light, rumor has it being considered for a 2010 launch, a year after a redesign of the Z4. Salient characteristics of the small roadster:
- shorter and narrower than the Z4
- four-cylinder powerplants, ranging up to a Z2 M-Series turbo offering 300 hp
- its own design theme (not a mini-Z4)
- lightweight construction
- future Speedster and M-Series variants
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ted K 9:02PM (8/14/2006)
I think you're forgetting the top dawg of 4cyl roadsters.
Although, if you think the TT and SLK are sports cars, maybe the S2000 is just too high performance for you.
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Clarence 9:08PM (8/14/2006)
I think I will always have a Miata, but a Z2 might be a nice addition.
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JON 9:17PM (8/14/2006)
I been waiting to see what the new BMW "starter kit" would be since the 3 series has moved up market and out of the reach of many young new car buyers.How about a spiritual succesor to the old 2002?A 1-series coupe?Well anyway,I'm all for a Z-2.
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Art 10:33PM (8/14/2006)
will be another BLS: noticeable difference in size, but not in price.
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Stoneman 10:50PM (8/14/2006)
I haven't driven the BMW roadster yet. It certainly looks like a nice car.
Stoneman
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jacob 12:12AM (8/15/2006)
I thought Z3 and Z4 are more or less in the TT class, at least pricewise. Yes, TT has a 4-cylinder but it is turbocharged and that's only a base option.
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naggs 12:50AM (8/15/2006)
sounds cool, hope they make a coupe
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jamie 4:22AM (8/15/2006)
I think the Z4 already has a 4 cylinder variant, in UK at any rate.... The car is already cramped enough on the inside - dread to think what it'd be like if if got shorter and narrower ...
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exblog 4:29AM (8/15/2006)
nice cool roadster !
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Martin 5:30AM (8/15/2006)
I doubt the Z2 will be much smaller than the current Z4, but the new Z4 will be bigger than it is now. They might be able to chop a few inches off of a Z4 if it only need room for a 4 cylinder, but like all of BMW cars they get bigger every generation. At some point the 7 series will be longer than a Suburban.
Also, since when is a Merc SLK a 4 cylinder? or cheap? The 280 and 350 are v6, and the 55 is v8. And how is it in the same class as an MX-5 at a third of its cost?
Thats like saying I want this saloon to compete with Accords, 5 series, and Merc CLS. While they all have 4 doors they aren't at all in the same class.
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Sid 8:48AM (8/15/2006)
"Also, since when is a Merc SLK a 4 cylinder? or cheap? The 280 and 350 are v6, and the 55 is v8. And how is it in the same class as an MX-5 at a third of its cost?"
I noticed that too.
Either way, this is simply an excuse to make the Z4 bigger next gen and slot in yet another new car. Every car-maker does that these days.
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G. Snyder 9:26AM (8/15/2006)
"will be another BLS: noticeable difference in size, but not in price."
Art - do you mean the Cadillac BLS? If so, I don't see how there is any comparison here. The analogy simply does not make sense.
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C 12:25PM (8/15/2006)
I think the Google translation of the German page says it all:
"The MX-5 weighs 1080 Kilos. The Z2 is to fail still more easily."
But seriously, I'm not very excited about this because it won't be as light and cheap as an MX-5, or as hardcore as an S2000.
Luxury jacks up the curb weight, the roundel jacks up the MSRP.
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