Rendered speculation: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster
On the heels of the news that production of the next generation BMW Z4 would shift to Germany, MotorAuthority has produced a rendering of what that new version might look like. The new roadster is expected to grow and move upmarket as it gains a retractable hard top that should consume what little luggage space it has now. The new Z4 should add the new twin-turbo six cylinder from the 335i to the standard model while the next M Roadster may pick up the four-liter V8 from the new M3. As for the styling, the new roadster is likely to adopt some design cues from the CS four door coupe concept that debuted last spring at the Shanghai Motor Show. That will mean a cleaned up, more subdued version of the Bangle surface development of the current model, with a more aggressive front fascia.
[Source: MotorAuthority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paul 7:38PM (8/17/2007)
the front fascia looks too big for a z4. and the back has nothing changed....nice rendering, but i dont think its gonna be close
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kevin 7:59PM (8/17/2007)
this thing will fly with a v8
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Mr.Gansan 8:54PM (8/17/2007)
BMW just couldn't get it right.
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naggs 9:07PM (8/17/2007)
does bmw's smallest car really need 300 hp standard?
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MikeW 2:53PM (8/18/2007)
No, of course not.
But will the US get BMW's naturally aspirated direct injection inline6, the N53 series? Too much sulfur to operate in lean burn, so there wouldn't be a gain in mileage over the valvetronic models.
So the non-stripper 3.0 inline6 would be fine, 260hp in the X3/5. Even if BMW wants to go for super-duper low emissions, it could still get ~250hp.
Then the N54 turbo models could be 'upped' to 350hp.
No V8 necessary.
Dev 11:27PM (8/17/2007)
Too farfetched...its clearly a BMW makeover of the Dodge Demon..cut n paste the snout on to the ungly Demon and you have the new Z4
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El_Tomacco 12:03AM (8/18/2007)
Why has every modern BMW roadster been completely wrong? Z1 to Z8 they've all been useless.
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El_Tomacco 12:05AM (8/18/2007)
With the current German horsepower wars? Yes.
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Jason 5:12AM (8/18/2007)
A nice improvement over the sagging body version we have now. If they gave it the 335i engine as standard, I'd be surprised. While we are on the subject, how does the current Z4 get away with sitting so low? I thought after the Euro Ped laws were passed a few years ago, cars had to sit higher? Virtually every sport suspension has been raised since (sadly). Any ideas?
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hackmartian 8:03PM (8/18/2007)
I recently went to a customer clinic for the new Z4, and saw the car, fully built, at the event. I'm not at all a fan of the current model (or the Z3 before it) but I can honestly say that the upcoming version, if it stays true to what we were shown, is the best looking car BMW has done in decades. Much more dramatic, classic and aggressive than this rendering with none of the awkwardness of the current Z4. Prepare to be amazed.
nastinupe 12:18PM (8/18/2007)
To Tomacco: The Z08 was "right" in my books.
I don't like the long curved nose of the Z4 and this car. They need to do something about it. I believe that that is the one design cue that messes the car up. The hood is long and has a slight curve to it.
There's just something unnatural about that curve. I have a replica of the Z08 sitting in my office and when I look at the hood, it does have the curve, however, the lights do a Porschesqe 911 stand out thing on the corners that makes the hump look "right".
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Ligor 6:25PM (8/19/2007)
this is a much better front end than what it has today
it finally might not be a "looks like a chick car" car
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