Rendered Speculation: BMW Z10 ED to tackle Audi R8
by Jonathon Ramsey on Mar 13th 2009 at 6:58PM 
The BMW Z10 ED -- Efficient Dynamics -- is a green supercar that's out to get the Audi R8. Tech specs are hypothesized to be a high-pressure turbocharged inline six cylinder with 400 hp that would use either a mechanical valve system or BMW's VANOS system, and run through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Along with electronic stop/start aids, there would be technology to turn exhaust gasses into electricity. With the use of plenty of carbon fiber and aluminum, the car is meant to weigh no more than 3,080 pounds.Even though it hasn't stopped Ferrari and Lamborghini, lead BMW designer Adrian Van Hooydonk thinks it might be hard to sell the Z10 with a supercar body in a global recession. Most importantly, though, he wants the car to be a symbol of the future, and to offer an "exciting dynamic experience." We can't imagine the sketch is anything go by, unless he also wants the car to try and eat you.
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fooman 7:04PM (3/13/2009)
I would bet both mechanical valves and double vanos... The M engines have been like this for awhile, the non hydrolyic valves are non adjusting (unlike every other car out there) But only need a valve service every 24k miles which costs about 1k which includes a full service and oil change, so all in all not that bad of a price, considering the first 4 yeasr of service are free. This way of doing things is alot tougher, and allows alot more power out of the smaller blocks like the s54 from the e46 M3. which gets over 100hp per liter NA, with no forced induction, and reliably spins up to 8k rpm all day long.
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why not the LS2LS7? 7:07PM (3/13/2009)
The S54 was a mixed bag as far as reliability.
It also was not a terribly small block, being very heavy. If you measure power over displacement scores well, but power for engine size it doesn't do as well.
Fooman 7:54PM (3/13/2009)
No just pointing out BMW higher HP design theory. True the s54 is a little heavy as it is a cast iron block, and not an Al block like all of the other engines. But that block can take over 1000hp without blowing up. Something that the new 335 twin turbo engine cannot do, with hydrolic lifters and self adjusting valves. Those things are only getting up to 450 before the block starts to have issues. Granted the valves and lifters have nothing to do with the strength of the block....
As for the Ls series motors... (not my words) "The LS motor is like a retard on viagra, they will stick it in anything." I will admit that it is a pretty powerfull, efficient and light motor though. One reason you will not see a LS type motor in a BMW is they prefer to use higher reving, lower displacement motors because of the sportier feel they give. True a LS has great torque through out the powerband, something BMW does not have, but BMW design and engineering DNA is more focused on the smaller high revs.
abbas350 7:06PM (3/13/2009)
who killed the M1?
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why not the LS2LS7? 7:49PM (3/13/2009)
The only part of a stop and start system that will ever be used on a car like this is the off switch. Even if it is a lower end exotic, the price of the car will be high enough that no one who buys it is going to put up with a 3/4 second delay leaving lights because they need to save gas.
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superman211 7:49PM (3/13/2009)
Looks like a competitor in the ugly duckling award show. Never an R8 competitor. Yuck!
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Turall 7:49PM (3/13/2009)
BMW's had this in the cards for a while, I guess the R8 finally motivated them to start working on it a bit more seriously.
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zamafir 7:55PM (3/13/2009)
what's odd is their timing, profits declining at a record pace, while audi's continue to set records... you think they'd focus on their core.
AMcA 7:58PM (3/13/2009)
Something like this is NEVER going to get approved in the current climate. Not for at least a couple years can anyone make a decision to do a totally new-to-the-market luxury vehicle.
Mazda FTW! 8:31PM (3/13/2009)
I don't really get why super-cars and exotics are the focus of green and efficiency these days. What BS. They barely sell hundreds so let a few of these do what they are supposed to do. If I want a green car, I'll go buy that Honda Prius thingy.
Oh and BMW will never make a R8 competitor simply because it's quickly becoming a brand that doesn't really focus on performance. It's all about big cushy vehicles with big BMW logos because that's what their customer base wants. Sharp handling waza waza?
Js 9:59PM (3/13/2009)
I agree. Turning the Z-10 into a "green machine" is not a good idea. People who want super-car performance are usually not too preoccupied with efficiency or gas mileage. There are relatively few of them on the road anyways, so the overall impact is not that big. I think its time that BMW realized that its not just the economic climate that is costing them market share.
I don't believe BMW has ever used the "Z" name for a car that was not a two-seater sports car (correct me if I am wrong); so if not a "super-car body" what does Van Hooydonk want to do ? Give us another bland rear end to look at ?
Personally I still love the BMW engines, its just the bodies they are in and the weight of those bodies that have me disgusted lately (all except that brand new Z4, that one actually looks nice; going to have to see it in person).
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Azael 10:21PM (3/13/2009)
I'm going to have to disagree. While a green super car from BMW may only sell a few thousand in its production life, the purpose of such a pursuit is really to innovate, learn, and improve.
Much like Porsche, where their groundbreaking tech of their higher end models eventually come to their base models. I would not be surprised to see the technology and engineering of this car come to even the 1 series and the Mini Cooper.
Just wait until the M division get their hands on the direct injection system of the 335i... it will rewrite all the rules of high performance engines.
M 11:08PM (3/13/2009)
The M division actually already has their hands on direct injection. They have recently upped the power of the N63 engine for the upcoming X5 M. The N63 4.4L engine in the new 7 series [F01] and in the X6 [E71] has twin turbos and direct injection.
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matt 11:55PM (3/13/2009)
z10 erectile dysfunction?
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lim 12:37PM (3/14/2009)
Its going to be interesting to see a production model; also is it just me or does the front fiasco look like a rhino/bull mix?
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P.V. 2:26PM (3/14/2009)
It's an interesting idea, but why not put that revived concept M1 into production?
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Kiiks 5:46AM (3/15/2009)
If they want to sell sports cars or supercars, they may want to omit "ED" from the name.
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arcsine 11:27AM (3/16/2009)
I was thinking the same thing, plus the picture of that Smilin' Bob guy waving out the window of this thing while flashing his "heh, I've got a stiffy" smile is now burned in to my brain. Gah.