Rendered Speculation: V8-powered BMW Z4 hardtop
AutoExpress' artists worked their magic on the next generation BMW Z4 and even though the exterior is more appealing than its predecessor, what lies beneath the evolved flame-surfacing has us aching to get behind the wheel.As reported before, the next Z4 will feature a retractable hard top, but a cloth roof will continue to be offered on entry-level models. Motivation will come in several different flavors, beginning with naturally aspirated four- and six-cylinder powerplants. A diesel is also being considered – a first for the Z4 – and there's no doubt that the 3-series-based roadster will come packing the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline six that's proliferated throughout BMW's lineup. More importantly, rumors are beginning to swirl that the M version will be equipped with the 4.0-liter V8 currently found in the M3. If that happens, it's all but guaranteed that the twin-clutch gearbox will find a happy home in the transmission tunnel.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
nastinupe 7:08PM (7/21/2008)
I like this one. I can't wait for a test drive. Good job BMW. Please don't deviate from the picture.
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Ligor 8:23AM (7/22/2008)
I disagree, this harrendous styling makes the 370Z look like a gem
yikes
boneheadotto 9:57AM (7/22/2008)
Good job BMW??? uh they didnt design this, some artist did. BMW does not make such cohesive lines. The final z4 will be far uglier than this and will not look nearly as mean or sleak
why not the LS2LS7? 7:17PM (7/21/2008)
With the 3.0L turbo engine being so strong, I'm not sure why they need a V8, except perhaps just to compete with the SL55.
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Hike15 7:53PM (7/21/2008)
i think you mean slk55
which i think is its main competitor
but you cant forget about the boxster
zamafir 11:07PM (7/21/2008)
why does the x6 need a bi turbo anything? why does the x6 exist? why imbue the m3 with an engine which mirrors the RS4? BMW's moved well beyond the ultimate driving machine focus in the last few years towards mercede's late 90s levels of riding on the coat tails of their rep. Sure, this car would be splendid with a bi turbo six pushed to produce more power, while keeping weight down, especially as the TT-S meets the Z4m's naught to sixty with significantly less power thanks to intelligent attention to weight - but BMW doesn't care. It'll get an eight so people who buy it can brag 'it's a v8'.
Yar 7:18PM (7/21/2008)
Corvette competitor? Probably twice the price, but competition os good.
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Brian 7:25PM (7/21/2008)
I still can't get into high reving engines. I like my power down low. High rev engines work well on a track, but the torque monster V8s work wonderfully in and around town.
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mk 9:09PM (7/21/2008)
It is a matter of driving style. It is more challenging, but also more thrilling to keep a higher-winding engine on-song. Almost any 8 cylinder engine is going to have enough latent torque to be driveable around town to the point of breaking the law with a mere thought, even a high revving V8
A torque monster V8 is as easy as point-and-shoot. Fun to be sure, but hardly a challenge.
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I kinda like the roofline of the current Z4 coupe, but the front and sides are no better than the awkward convertible.
The rendering is even worse, with the bulbous windsheild, and weird lines from the front to the roof, and amorphous headlights.
BMW used to be so classically designed. How the mighty have fallen, style wise.
Chase 7:37PM (7/21/2008)
Not a fan of the V8 idea here. Just to put it out there, even though a current gen M Coupe is so small, it is only a few pounds off a Corvette in weight. This new one isn't going to be any lighter.
I mean, it says the platform is shared with the 3 series. Just consider the dimensions of the 1 series, which will probably be close to this. The 1 weighs 3700 lbs with twin turbo, auto, and retractable hard top. Even if they manage to shed a good amount of weight for the Z, we'd be looking at a 3700 lb car with the retractable hard top, V8, and auto. If they released a hardtop model with the 3.0tt, it would still be at least 3400 lbs.
What ever happened to the idea of a "little" sports car?
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Yar 7:43PM (7/21/2008)
"What ever happened to the idea of a "little" sports car?"
Safety standards happened. Now a days if you want something small and light you've got to buy a kit and build it yourself.
Jackattak 7:46PM (7/21/2008)
"What ever happened to the idea of a "little" sports car?"
The NHTSA safety standards.
simianspeedster 8:36PM (7/21/2008)
The 1 series isn't available with a retracting hard top, but it does weigh nearly 3,700 lbs as a convertible in 135i form.
The current Z4 3.0si weights ~3,100 lbs. in both coupe and convertible forms (with a 6 speed manual).
If the new Z4 ends up weighing 3,500 lbs, don't blame crash protection -- it's not like the current Z4 lacks safety features or it doesn't pass NHTSA standards. The extra weight will undoubtedly be due to the car getting bigger, adding a folding hardtop and, let's face it, engineering laziness.
Building a car to meet marketing goals has become more important than engineering to a set of specifications or goals. Even with all the modern safety features, a new, slightly larger soft top or coupe Z4 could weight 3,200 lbs. if BMW prioritized low weight, but they've lazily thrown that out the window and added a folding hardtop to keep up with MB. Want more proof? Witness the 4,100+ lb. M3 convertible. Even if it's fast, it's a pig of a car.
-SimianSpeedster
3seriesisking 9:38PM (7/21/2008)
Simian, I have to say that I've driven the Z4 in both regular and M versions quite extensively and while on paper it may look heavy, I can assure you it by no means feels like it at any point. The 3.0 litre engine in the base version gets around just fine and is a blast to drive. I'd have bought a Z4 long ago if I was into such a small car.
paul34 10:41PM (7/21/2008)
Sounds like you have a desire you aren't aware of yet to visit your local Lotus dealer. They're the only ones left.
zamafir 1:02AM (7/22/2008)
The NHTSA safety standards don't seem to be preventing Audi from producing the TT-S, or forthcoming TT-RS (or whatever they call it) though I'm sure it's a convincing excuse for BMW when arguing their cars need to be heavier and more complex.
simianspeedster 1:38AM (7/22/2008)
3seriesisking,
I totally agree with you -- I have a Z4 Coupe 3.0si and I appreciate the lightness every day. 255HP might not sound like a lot in the era of 270+ HP Honda Accords, but it's plenty for a 3,100 lb. RWD coupe.
My concern is that the *new* model will weigh significantly more than the existing one because it's ging to be larger, it will undoubdtedly have more electronics, bigger wheels and tires and, most importantly, the folding hardtop. I suppose the rumored soft top convertible might still weigh a reasonable amount, but I'm bummed that there won't be another 3,100 lb. coupe.
-SimianSpeedster
3seriesisking 7:46PM (7/21/2008)
We can only hope. This rendering is certainly the looker
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3seriesisking 7:49PM (7/21/2008)
The current Vette convertible actually starts nearly $10,000 more than a current Z4 3.0 roadster. They are very different cars but I thought that info. might interest you.
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3seriesisking 7:50PM (7/21/2008)
The above was supposed to be a reply to Yar