BMW says no to new Z4 M
2010 BMW Z4 - Click above for a high-res gallery
According to a report by iMotor, the financial downturn has claimed its latest victim: the BMW Z4 M. A BMW spokesperson told the pub that "Given the current economic crisis there is no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4." Although that's bad news for enthusiasts, there might be a silver lining. Coinciding with an earlier story, BMW may begin offering software upgrades for models fitted with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The remapped ECU would increase output by around 20 horsepower (for a net of 326 hp) and a slight bump in torque, and will almost certainly be offered on the new Z4.
There's also talk of a M Sport package for the 135i that would include a new body kit, larger wheels, a retuned suspension and an M-branded steering wheel.
While we're disappointed about the still-born Z4 M, the obvious question is why is BMW developing M models of the X5 and X6? According to the same source, both of the hotted-up CUVs were signed off before the auto market tanked.
Gallery: 2009 BMW Z4
[Source: IMotorMag]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lucas 3:40PM (3/20/2009)
Cool. This will make a Z3 M Couple more valuable... once I buy it. :-)
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MikeofLA 3:41PM (3/20/2009)
BMW M sport package on the 135i needs to not just glue on some plastic bits... how about: Comes with ECU retune, a lighter hood, trunk, front fenders, seats and wheels, then and maybe a carbon roof ala M3/M6. then just call it a Tii...
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xspeedy 3:44PM (3/20/2009)
Yeah BMW, it makes more sense to produce an M version pickup truck.
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Luis 3:47PM (3/20/2009)
Well, SUVs do sell in greater numbers than 2-seat convertibles.
Jj 3:56PM (3/20/2009)
There was already a substantial investment in those vehicles when the extent of the problems with the world economy came into focus.
IK 4:24PM (3/20/2009)
quiet, they might be reading this!
3seriesisking 6:28PM (3/20/2009)
I'm begining to think they can't read....I mean this is probably the stupidest move they have made of recent so they must be letting five-year olds run the place.
artandcolour 3:54PM (3/20/2009)
blah blah blah. in 18 months when sales haven't hit expectations, there will be a M version. i'm so sick of the way BMW conducts itself. i wish it was 1975 again so i could have respect for the little german automaker that had some class, along with superior driving ability.
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Aki 4:14PM (3/20/2009)
But they make a stupid X5 M, go figure. Seems like after the E36 they went downhill
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Gomi 4:20PM (3/20/2009)
It's only stupid if you don't understand the market.
jinsei888 4:36PM (3/20/2009)
@ Luis - "did" sell greater
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Louis 4:44PM (3/20/2009)
That sucks, I really liked the styling of the Z4 M Hardtop.
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Chase 5:01PM (3/20/2009)
That's OK. The N54 is plenty powerful. The news I don't want to hear is BMW not having plans to produce a hardtop version of the Z4. Now that would be sad.
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d4rez 5:16PM (3/20/2009)
The folding hardtop roof probably negates the need for one.
Taglane 7:11PM (3/20/2009)
Yes, but doesn't it look odd?
Serge 5:01PM (3/20/2009)
It's sad that this is the only BMW car that has a superior interior design than it's competition... the new 7series has a nice interior as well, but it's offset by the bland exterior styling.
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P.V. 5:26PM (3/20/2009)
That's fine. The Z4-35i (I don't care what the full nomenclature is any more) is good enough.
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RLQ 4:06AM (3/21/2009)
Ugh BMW
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erik 8:48PM (3/20/2009)
I own a Z4M Coupe (2007), and this is great news for me :) it's also good news to those z3m coupe owners... however keep in mind they also said there would never be a Z4 M of the original Z4's either. They could just be saying there won't be one because they don't want people to 'wait' to buy it! That would make their sales go down when they need it the most.
To be honest the current z4m's are way too heavy as it is, the new z4 is even heavier. Unless they can tone down the weight a little I hope this news is correct.
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e46mike 8:48PM (3/20/2009)
They've probably used up all of the extra M hardware on those crappy X6 M's and need to save some for that absurd X1.
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