Autoblog

Rumormill: BMW proceeding with development on mid-engine Z10?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

For many, it may seem hard for an automaker to claim the mantle of "The Ultimate Driving Machine" without a truly exhilarating supercar to act as a halo to define the brand. That could explain why, following previous reports that it had canned any plans for a mid-engine supercar, new reports suggest that BMW is proceeding with development of just such a vehicle.

Tentatively dubbed Z10, the most ultimate of driving machines would, according to the latest churns of the rumormill, take advantage of lightweight materials - including carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium - to keep weight down, while offering more space inside than a Porsche 911. The jury's still out on what engine would find itself placed in the middle of the taut chassis, with the company's award-winning V10 reportedly axed in favor of a twin-turbo six (in either V or inline configuration) delivering somewhere in the vicinity of 450 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual clutch gearbox.

Adaptable aerodynamics, a supplemental hybrid electric motor and thermal-dynamics system are also tipped to be part of the package, and we wouldn't be surprised to see some of the styling elements from the new Vision EfficientDynamics concept make their way into the production vehicle. The supercar is supposedly projected to bow with a $110,000 sticker price about five years from now... that is, if it's actually ever produced at all.

Gallery: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Rumormill: BMW proceeding with development on mid-engine Z10? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: BMW Z10 ED to tackle Audi R8

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Green, Supercars, BMW

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]

Rendered Speculation: BMW Z10 ED to tackle Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW preparing new Z10 ED green supercar for production?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, Supercars, BMW, Rendered Speculation

The only thing better than a major automaker rolling out a supercar concept is when they actually put it into production. Usually, if the green light is given, it happens after the show car's public debut. In this case, however, early word from Autocar indicates that things are working backwards. BMW reportedly originally envisioned this effort as a concept car, but instead it has decided to put it into limited production to showcase its high performance and green capabilities.

The car in question, according to AC's latest reports, is a new flagship supercar from BMW to be called the Z10 ED. With a two-seat, front-engine layout, the Z10 ED (for Efficient Dynamics - BMW's term for its green tech) is being prepared by the company's Technik skunkworks department. As you may recall, this is the very same crew that brought the Z1 and Z8 roadsters to showrooms.

As the story goes, after BMW canceled plans to revive the M1 with a mid-engine, R8-eating supercar, Munich's decision-makers apparently gave the go-ahead for another project to highlight the company's tree-hugghing and road-hugging technology. For starters, integrated door frames and extensive use of carbon fiber will be employed to keep curb weight down and rigidity up. Power is tipped to come from a high-output version of the company's 3.0-liter six, with all the bells and whistles: twin turbos, variable valve timing and compression, along with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, F1-derived regenerative braking, and start-stop engine management. All of which should yield an anticipated 400 horsepower out of a relatively compact engine.

No telling when we might see the Z10 hit the roads, but sources suggest a $110,000+ price tag when it arrives.

[Source: Autocar]

BMW preparing new Z10 ED green supercar for production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW may bring Z8 successor to Shanghai auto show

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, BMW

Automotive News is reporting that BMW will be unveiling a concept version of the successor to its Z8 sports car at the Shanghai motor show next month.The new Z9 (Z10 seems to fit current naming practices better, but we'll stick with Z9 here because it's what Auto News is reporting) will likely one-up its predecessor with a folding hardtop and possibly a coupe version, as well. The Z9 is likely to get a version of the 500-hp, 5.0-liter V10 from the M5/M6.

The new top-of-the-line sports car will go head-to-head with the Mercedes SL and Audi R8, among others, when it debuts sometime in 2009 or 2010. BMW hopes to find as many as 15,000 buyers a year for the new sports car even though it only managed to move 5,702 Z8s during the whole run from 2000 to 2003. There are plenty of pics of an SLR-like gullwing Z9 concept that has a 6-series butt and a long tapered nose, but we are praying for something better. We hope it can match the beauty of the neo-507 Z8 pictured above when it debuts.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req]

BMW may bring Z8 successor to Shanghai auto show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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