New BMW Z4 Concept Unveiled

**BimmerBreaker** · 08-16-2017, 11:09 AM

edit: More betterer pictures (Looks even better here!)

BMW released this new photo of their new Z4 roadster...

Looks like... a BMW mixed with a Supra to me

I was hoping for more

Thoughts?

edit: More pictures courtesy of https://www.autoblog.nl/nieuws/gelek...oadster-101350

Wonder how much this thing is going to cost. It's a little funky, but I like it - I don't like it for any of the same reasons I like Z3's, or even E86 Z4's for that matter - but it looks interesting and new whereas the E89 I felt was just the final evolution of the Z3 design.

**rf900rkw** · 08-16-2017, 11:32 AM

When they are off warranty and in my shop, I'll worry about it. Pissing and moaning about what is/isn't perceived as being/not being BMW or sportscar or color choice or some other gripe I leave for the facebook crowd.

**KJ79** · 08-16-2017, 11:32 AM

It definitely has a little JDM to it, I can see the Supra. Maybe too much Supra. Front end is almost too aggressive? Can't tell if they got rid of the ducktail in the back. Hopefully. Makes me appreciate our Z3 curves more and more. Lacks initial charm to me. I was really hoping for more too...... (No roll bars?)

**Bladecatcher** · 08-16-2017, 11:39 AM

bmw-z5-roadster-c777025072017095438_5.jpg

bmw-z5-pack-m-201738112_7.jpg

**wbmech767** · 08-16-2017, 11:44 AM

What I love about the z3 is the low belt line from this pic that is my only complaint

**Ring Rat** · 08-16-2017, 01:09 PM

Ill wait till tomorrow at PB....

But from what I'm seeing its far better than the current z4, which I really don't care for at all... Interesting they departed from the iconic BMW headlight graphic to a stacked configuration.

**gmushial** · 08-16-2017, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker

BMW released this new photo of their new Z4 roadster...

Looks like... a BMW mixed with a Supra to me

I was hoping for more

Thoughts?

Z4 or Z5 - previously given the price point (somewhere btwn Z4 and Z8) they were calling it the Z5, or at least the press was? ... and I assume this is the bimmer half of the new Supra? ie, if you want a roadster, you buy the bimmer; if you want a coupe you buy Toyota? Equally, where the drivetrains of the two are entirely different...

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Ring Rat

Ill wait till tomorrow at PB....

But from what I'm seeing its far better than the current z4, which I really don't care for at all... Interesting they departed from the iconic BMW headlight graphic to a stacked configuration.

I think that side-by-side was dictated by the size of the light assemblies (and the low hood-line)... but with LEDs they are so much smaller so one has more options.

**gmushial** · 08-16-2017, 01:52 PM

Some more links:

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...4-concept.html

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...in-august.html

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/...new-coupe-2018

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/z4/...asers-revealed

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-new...s-and-details/

https://paultan.org/2017/08/16/bmw-z...for-august-17/

http://www.bmwblog.com/2017/07/28/bm...-beach-reveal/

http://www.thedrive.com/news/13512/n...le-beach-debut

http://www.evo.co.uk/bmw/z4/19491/bm...-full-tomorrow

**deni2s** · 08-16-2017, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by KJ79

I was really hoping for more too...... (No roll bars?)

Could it be that those are humps behind the seats?

bmw_z4.jpg

**BimmerBreaker** · 08-16-2017, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by gmushial

Z4 or Z5 - previously given the price point (somewhere btwn Z4 and Z8) they were calling it the Z5, or at least the press was? ... and I assume this is the bimmer half of the new Supra? ie, if you want a roadster, you buy the bimmer; if you want a coupe you buy Toyota? Equally, where the drivetrains of the two are entirely different...

BMW has already said it will not be called the Z5, so Z4 seems most likely. This is the BMW badged roadster variant of the Toyota joint project. The Toyota will supposedly only have an automatic, BMW will have a three pedal option. Was under the impressions that engines would be shared between the two

**ixlr08** · 08-16-2017, 05:27 PM

Based on that picture.... I will be keeping my 01 Z3.

**KJ79** · 08-16-2017, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by deni2s

Could it be that those are humps behind the seats?

bmw_z4.jpg

Oh for sure after seeing that side angle.

**nevan** · 08-16-2017, 07:16 PM

On positive note, they brought the softtop back. But we all knew about that already, sigh.

**gmushial** · 08-16-2017, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker

BMW has already said it will not be called the Z5, so Z4 seems most likely. This is the BMW badged roadster variant of the Toyota joint project. The Toyota will supposedly only have an automatic, BMW will have a three pedal option. Was under the impressions that engines would be shared between the two

Again, everything up until tomorrow will be conjecture... but all the talk about the joint project has been: bimmer gets the roadster, Toyota get the coupe; and since Toyota has no use for a bimmer motor [they already have better], and bimmer has bought some engine technology from Toyota, they no longer have a need for such... or that's been all the rumor material for the last 2 yrs. W/re trans: the rumors up until now are that both will have both: auto and manual... but tomorrow we should know one way or the other.

**Ring Rat** · 08-17-2017, 08:36 AM

https://www.designboom.com/technolog...ed-08-17-2017/

Actual pics... eeeeeeeeh. Meh.

**BimmerBreaker** · 08-17-2017, 09:16 AM

More pictures including some of the funky "two tone" interior!

**MartyBtoo** · 08-17-2017, 11:26 AM

Looks like another of the "safe" cars where the door is about at ear level. Apparently it isn't safe to have your arm on the door with your elbow out anymore.

Marty

**BimmerBreaker** · 08-17-2017, 11:51 AM

Looking at the pictures again one thing that strikes me is how thin the windshield cowl is. It looks like metal too from the back side. Perhaps an exposed structural element?

**Jamesons Viggen** · 08-17-2017, 12:48 PM

I think its looks fine. It needs to be more Z3 than the last Z4. That means cloth top, three pedals, about 3000lbs, and have the base 4 cylinder start in the low $30's. Offer a coupe and a real M variant. Otherwise I care nothing about it.

**gmushial** · 08-17-2017, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

I think its looks fine. It needs to be more Z3 than the last Z4. That means cloth top, three pedals, about 3000lbs, and have the base 4 cylinder start in the low $30's. Offer a coupe and a real M variant. Otherwise I care nothing about it.

This is why I had asked Breaker about Z5 vs Z4, in that the Supra is expected to be in the $60-80k range; and the talk previously on this was likewise... $30k would be nice: but wonder about the reality.. though I guess the event is this afternoon - so me might know more details by this evening.

**Jamesons Viggen** · 08-17-2017, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by gmushial

This is why I had asked Breaker about Z5 vs Z4, in that the Supra is expected to be in the $60-80k range; and the talk previously on this was likewise... $30k would be nice: but wonder about the reality.. though I guess the event is this afternoon - so me might know more details by this evening.

I would be shocked if the Supra was going to be that expensive. The Supra died off in '98 largely because nearly $50k was a lot of money for a Toyota in a market that shrank. That market today would not support a $60-80k Supra. It's going to start above the BRS/FRS for sure, maybe a bit more than the 370Z.

**gmushial** · 08-17-2017, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

I would be shocked if the Supra was going to be that expensive. The Supra died off in '98 largely because nearly $50k was a lot of money for a Toyota in a market that shrank. That market today would not support a $60-80k Supra. It's going to start above the BRS/FRS for sure, maybe a bit more than the 370Z.

What you're saying is also what I thought should be the reality... but at least from the rumormill/rags, it seems that this was going to be brand T's flagship/showpiece, going after the top end of the 'vette market - basically a do it right, cost be damned car.

**Jamesons Viggen** · 08-17-2017, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by gmushial

What you're saying is also what I thought should be the reality... but at least from the rumormill/rags, it seems that this was going to be brand T's flagship/showpiece, going after the top end of the 'vette market - basically a do it right, cost be damned car.

That's already being done with the Lexus LC500. It's silly if Toyota is going for the same idea(you know selling very few cars) with the Supra.

**gmushial** · 08-17-2017, 03:01 PM

My impression is that the LC is to go more after the Euro (bottom end) supercar market - Evora 400 and up; where the Supra goes after the American high end muscle, or Cayman ilk... but again, I'm sure brand T will tell us shortly.

**Jamesons Viggen** · 08-17-2017, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by gmushial

My impression is that the LC is to go more after the Euro (bottom end) supercar market - Evora 400 and up; where the Supra goes after the American high end muscle, or Cayman ilk... but again, I'm sure brand T will tell us shortly.

The LC is a grand tourer, it has nothing in common with any super car. It's aligning with the Benz S-class Coupe and the BMW 6/8 series. You can get into the base Cayman for about $60k. Even if the Supra had the Cayman as a target, it knows it won't sell against it at the same price. Until Toyota makes an announcement, I again doubt the pricing structure of $60-80k. $40-50k maybe. Again, the Mustang supports the base EB for about $26k all the way to low $60's for a GT350R. The Supra would be silly if it starts ABOVE that car(same with Camaro 2.0T-ZL1) while offering less performance. The Supra was a Z car competitor in each of its generations, the 370Z starts at $30k and goes to the mid 40's. I see no reason for Toyota to abandon that when so few people buy anything that isn't an SUV lately.