Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertibles, Sedans/Saloons, BMW
Spy Shots: Next BMW Z4 and 7 series caught on PCH
by John Neff on Jun 16th 2008 at 2:59PM 
Click above for gallery of BMW Z4 and 7 series spy shots
Friend of the blog Fred K. happened upon a pair of BMW prototypes while cruising California's Pacific Coast Highway recently and had his camera phone in tow to take some pics. What he saw were the next BMW Z4 and 7 series sedan heavily covered in camouflage, but not so much that we can't make out their general shapes and few new styling cues. Feast away at the pics in the gallery below and remember, always have a camera with you as prototypes are popping up all over these days.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Keat 3:06PM (6/16/2008)
The back end of the new Z4 looks like a 6 series. The only thing I could make out about the 7 series is built in exhaust.
Reply
Hike15 3:07PM (6/16/2008)
the back of the z4 looks like a 6-series
Reply
Torrent 3:14PM (6/16/2008)
The hood is as bulgy as the GINA. Does this one birth the engine as well?
Reply
Fooman 3:23PM (6/16/2008)
What where they doing down there... Looks like Newport Corona Dell Mar area right in front of Fashion Island.. Wonder if they where at the road and track office or Car and driver office, one of them is in that area, I can never remember which.
Also looks about 7pmish from the pics... Nice sundown camera phone work!
Reply
Adam 4:51PM (6/16/2008)
My commute is on PCH from dana point into newport. I've seen BMW testing 4 or 5 times in the last year I've been on the commute.
Chased a type of 3-series a while back with my phone, but he evaded me... ;)
Johnnie 3:27PM (6/16/2008)
Looks just about as ugly as the current model.
Reply
SPG 3:45PM (6/16/2008)
I do hope the next Z4 (Z5?) keeps it's sharp and sexy looks. I also hope it does not become a car for those who cannot afford the 6 series.
These are two different cars for different types of people and driving. Keeping the design language fluent through a current range of a car company makes sense, but not if it is at the cost of a good looking car.
Reply
RRL 3:53PM (6/16/2008)
Is it me, or does pic #2 scream Z4 hardtop convertible. I find it hard to believe that's a cloth top.
Reply
MikeMidd2001 4:35PM (6/16/2008)
Guys... the reason that it looks like the 6, or like the current model, is because it has cheap cladding stuff stuck all over it to disguise it!
It's tough to tell too much. The Z's grille appears to be wide and short, which I'm not sure I like. But the curves seem a little more organic, maybe more like the Z8 of a couple yeras ago than the current Z4, which I think looks a little chopped off from a lot of angles.
The 7 hasn't been good looking since before the current generation. I'm not sure this one will be any better.
Reply
3seriesisking 4:36PM (6/16/2008)
I really think the next Z4 is going to turn out to be one heck of a good looking ride. Can't wait until the debut.
Reply
Bomski 4:37PM (6/16/2008)
Saw this at the Nurburgring last year...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bomski/1252849422/in/set-72157601709646481/
Reply
Fred Khaz 4:40PM (6/16/2008)
Who is kenny? these are my pics .. they are still in my phone ..
fred khaz
Reply
Fred Khaz 4:43PM (6/16/2008)
Who is kenny? these are my pics .. they are still in my phone ..
fred khaz
Reply
Fred Khaz 4:50PM (6/16/2008)
Z4 2010
http://www.autospies.com/news/EXCLUSIVE-PHOTOS-Spies-Catch-The-Next-Z4-In-SoCal-Baby-6-Series-31053/
7 series 2010
http://www.autospies.com/news/EXCLUSIVE-PHOTOS-New-7-Series-Rolling-In-Newport-Beach-31054/
Reply
spdracerut 6:24PM (6/16/2008)
I saw the Z4 a few days ago in Hermosa Beach. I was more interested in the M3 chase vehicle though :)
Reply
Fort 10:06PM (6/16/2008)
These cars have been running all over the Central Coast of CA for two months. I took video of an X6 in camo, 3-series coupe and sedan (without trunk badges), a new body X5, and the camo 7-series getting off the freeway and right back on north of Santa Maria, CA. The 7-series was at a Carrow's parking lot, where it looks like a left over from a Mad Max movie with the plastic all over it. I thought it was a Commodore the first time I saw it. And last week, the Z4 ran a red light in front of my Caravan getting off the freeway in the same spot. Wish the ultimate car would find the ultimate drivers......
Reply
ken_aisin 4:34PM (6/17/2008)
Yawn..... Really tired of BMW designs.
Reply
Brent hensarling 1:21AM (6/21/2008)
I have seen this running around santa monica a few times in the last week or so, there is usually a camoed x6 with it. Yesterday, I saw the camo X6, Z4, followed by a camoed 1 series. I tried to pull my camera out of my pocket, but I was on my motorcycle, so it was a bit hard. I have seen the 7 series around a bit too ( http://flickr.com/photos/brenthensarling/sets/72157605321723488/ )
Reply