Spy Shots: BMW Z4 caught practically naked
by John Neff on Oct 13th 2008 at 2:26PM 
We haven't shown you new spy shots of the upcoming redesigned BMW Z4 for, oh, at least a couple of weeks, but the latest pics reveal the hardtop convertible's final shape with only minimal covering. That psychedelic applique aside, we can easily see now that the new Z4 will be an evolutionary step for the design of this little roadster. What it will do is wipe clean the Bangle-inspired design elements that made the current car such a visual mess from every angle. It will get the clean, sculpted sides of current BMWs like the 3 Series, and an even larger twin-kidney grille. And unlike the current car, the proportions are now much more balanced with a reasonably sized front end flowing into a tidy cockpit and tapered rear. As mentioned, BMW will be ditching the soft top for a retractable hard top, which may take away some of the car's open air flavor but is largely a necessity in this class nowadays.[Source: Next Autos]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
homunculus 2:28PM (10/13/2008)
still looks like the wangmobile
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Flea 2:34PM (10/13/2008)
if by "more balanced proportions" you mean "yet another brick on wheels", then sure. But the old Z4 is the only car in BMW's lineup I currently like, especially because you don't have the feeling it's owner bought it by stretching his arms to the seller and saying "I'd like this much BMW please"
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Torrent 2:34PM (10/13/2008)
I swear to god- if those are the X1/7 Series headlights, I'm gonna scream in frustration, confusion and fear.
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elINDIANO 2:36PM (10/13/2008)
well i like the current z4, thats why i have one.
as long as the new one follows the design of the 3 coupe and not the sedan, it should be good.
whats under the hood???
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Patrick 3:03PM (10/13/2008)
I think I'm going to like the styling better than the current Z4. Is this a convertible hardtop though? It looks like there is a line running horizontal across the roof, but where could they find room to store that huge top in that tiny trunk and still have trunkspace? Hopefully its just a regular soft top with a removable hardtop, and its just camo tape that we see. Overall though, the styling looks better from what I can see (IMO), but those signal lights on the mirrors better not be production; they look hideous.
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simianspeedster 3:06PM (10/13/2008)
"What it will do is wipe clean the Bangle-inspired design elements that made the current car such a visual mess from every angle"
Nice commentary, John. You know, of course, that your opinion is for from universal. I think the current Z4, especially in coupe form, is a classic design. This is coming from someone who strongly dislikes the other Bangle designs (outgoing 7 series was terrible, IMO) and almost all the other current BMW designs except the classic 3 series coupe.
I know this is technically a blog, but can't you at least *try* to write like a journalist?
-SimianSpeedster
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M 11:47PM (10/20/2008)
I agree with simianspeedster's design preferences. The z4 'shark' look is well balanced, and has classic roadster proportions. Plus you know it's physically balanced as well because it's a BMW.
Spytap 3:10PM (10/13/2008)
Hey look, it's a Z4 without any soul or presence! Is it a s2000 with a hardtop? No wait, those have style. It's a MX-5, right? No wait, those are smaller and have style. It's a...BMW? I thought...I thought I liked those...
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Silver 5:31PM (10/13/2008)
Nothing can be uglier than the current Z4. Well, maybe the Aztek, but nothing else...
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greg in atlanta 5:43PM (10/13/2008)
I disagree with the above comments. Anders Warming's design has really matured over time. The character and shoulder lines are still modern and distinctive as what you see throughout Europe re: design. The deletion of the "Z" character line that carries from the A pillar is a mistake as this was a pure design element. I had an M coupe (a near perfect car), but found the 3.0si to be the better model for day to day driving. The N52 with it's 3stage intake is extremely quick (i couldn't feel a difference from my M) The exhaust note was better. The only thing i preferred on my M was the Mdiff and the rack and pinion hydraulic over the boosted power steering unit. The most important feature in my car is my car's fuel econ returning 32mpg on a recent trip. Lastly, i miss driving in europe where my 330ci bmw coupe regularly saw 200-250kph on average. It's sad that all these stoplight drag race wannabees will never know that the real pleasure is to the right of the speed/tach.
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M 11:50PM (10/20/2008)
What sort of gas mileage did you get in your M coupe? I'm about to lease a M roadster.
AfterGasoline 6:50PM (10/13/2008)
I like the current car, and overall I like this design. But, I'm growing tired of everyone switching to a convertible-hardtop. I feel that nothing beats a ragtop on a small roadster....not only is it physically lighter and takes up less cargo room, it also appears lighter visually.
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mbasi 4:22AM (10/14/2008)
What a bunch of naysayers and impeded design gurus this board's readership has become. Do you guys really think you're gaining personality by bashing bangel, who hasn't designed a car in years, over and over again?
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innoc3nt 5:32AM (10/15/2008)
I'm with AfterGasoline. I think the current car looks great, as does the current 5 series (but not the 7). And from what I can see on this one, I like it so far, but I'll have to wait to pass judgment on the lights. Wish they stuck with a soft top or had it as a different trim, though, to save weight.
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Woz 9:34AM (10/16/2008)
> Bangle-inspired design elements that made the
> current car such a visual mess from every angle
How rude. How pedestrian.
I think the current Z4 coupe is an instant classic. I would argue that it is by far the most interesting form that BMW has produced since the M1. To me, it is the Frank Gehry of automotive art ... a deconstructed cubist slice of genius. One can peer at its interplay of convex and concave lines ... almost like some mathematical fugal puzzle ... without ever becoming bored. Magic.
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M 11:49PM (10/20/2008)
What sort of gas mileage did you get in your M coupe? I'm about to lease a M roadster.
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