Spy Shots: Next gen BMW Z4 snapped again on SoCal freeway
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jul 19th 2008 at 4:08PM 
Our ever-vigilant readers have struck, proving yet again that in the age of the camera phone, almost anyone with a mobile device can emulate Jim Dunne, Brenda Priddy or Hans Lehmann. The latest capture we've received comes from reader Charlie Hung, who recently spotted this black roadster on a Southern California freeway. A quick inspection of the images reveals it to be the next-generation BMW Z4 that's been spotted periodically for some time now. The bodywork on BMW's latest offerings would suggest that the current Z4's flame surfacing will probably be radically toned down. Much of the contouring we see on this prototype is likely just camouflage. Underhood, we'll probably get the same powertrain lineup as the 3 Series, with the next M Roadster getting the M3's V8. Judging from the size of the rear window, the Z4 will probably pick up a retractable hard top as well. When the new Z4 debuts, BMW will move production from its current home Spartanburg, SC to Germany. Spartanburg will take over production of the X3 crossover.
Gallery: BMW Z4 SoCal Spy Shots
[Source: Charlie Hung]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 4:15PM (7/19/2008)
It certainly looks bigger and more well executed.
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Kumail 4:17PM (7/19/2008)
i wonder if it will have a soft-top, a hard-top, or both available?
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Giuseppe 4:19PM (7/19/2008)
Well done Charlie, nice work
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doug 4:40PM (7/19/2008)
Maybe this one won't be hideous.
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LOs 4:45PM (7/19/2008)
"A quick inspection of the images reveals it to be the next-generation BMW Z4 that's been spodded periodically for some time now."
Spodded, seriously?
If you guys need a copy proofreader let me know. Haha.
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Kaveh 5:24PM (7/19/2008)
Looks good, doesn't have the huge headlights, and that hood looks long enough for the V8 or the twin turbo 6 to fit nicely.
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Levi 1:27AM (7/20/2008)
looking a bit like an S2000 from the back side. Losing the camel-hump trunk was a good call.
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carguy 5:36PM (7/19/2008)
Maybe BMW will decide to return to hydraulic power steering, ditch the run-flat tires and the iDrive and fire Chris Bangle. Not likely though.
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simianspeedster 6:05PM (7/19/2008)
My only concern is how much the new Z4 will weigh, especially with a folding hardtop. The current coupe only weighs ~3,100 lbs. with a manual tranny. Not bad when the new M3 convertible weighs over 4,200 lbs!
-SimianSpeedster
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3seriesisking 6:20PM (7/19/2008)
And once again, I can't wait until they debut this new iteration.
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why not the LS2LS7? 6:27PM (7/19/2008)
I wonder if, for the second time in my life, the death of the convertible is predicted. In this case, the soft top only though.
When Chrysler killed the Le Baron convertible, it was the "death" of the American convertible (almost concurrently to when we saw the "death" of the American V8 too).
I would think a small car like the Z4 would be a perfect candidate to retain a soft-top, for weight and trunk space. But if it goes hardtop, what exactly typifies the soft top market now?
I do think the hard top is convincing, but I have to think the soft top will make some sort of comeback later.
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Sandok 11:54AM (7/20/2008)
Porsche Boxster still has a softtop... As does the 911 so I'm guessing the softtop is not dead yet :)
nowonder 7:45PM (7/19/2008)
I regret that they are going to a hard-top too... The current model has a huge trunk (for a roadster), and there is no way that will remain.
I will also miss the flame surfacing. Popular or not, it's distinctive.
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larry 11:09PM (7/20/2008)
Hi what exactly do you see in the flame surface? in Calif they seem like regular paint jobs.
RITmusic2k 2:25PM (7/21/2008)
Larry, flame surfacing has nothing to do with paint or color - it's the term they used to describe the *shape* of the sheetmetal, with its interplay of concave and convex surfaces.
Max 8:07PM (7/19/2008)
Honda called.
They wanted their S2000 DESIGN back.
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3seriesisking 9:05PM (7/19/2008)
Dude....this looks nothing like the S2000....it looks like a Z4.
Mobius_1 11:04PM (7/19/2008)
I really like the current Z4, looks small, but really muscular, especially the side profiles. Some of Bangle's designs grow on you, like the 5, the Z4 (not the sad looking 6 though, or the bland 3, or boring 1)
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k.w.a 11:50PM (7/19/2008)
I wonder if the X6 will ever grow on me...
3seriesisking 12:46AM (7/20/2008)
Everybody likes to hate on Bangle but most often overlook the fact that he designed the E46 3 series, one of the most successful and in my opinion most beautiful BMW's ever produced.