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More on the next Z4........
- Thread starter zednik
- Start date
:stoppimping:
Just kidding fella... would prefer if people posted a little more detail rather than simply pointing people in the direction of other sites though... not that I have an objection at all about people visiting there
So, is it true it's a bit bigger than the current model? What don't you like about it etc? Do we have any pics?
Just kidding fella... would prefer if people posted a little more detail rather than simply pointing people in the direction of other sites though... not that I have an objection at all about people visiting there
So, is it true it's a bit bigger than the current model? What don't you like about it etc? Do we have any pics?
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74228
I'm unconvinced of the veracity of the info too (no pics provided). I guess seeing is believing.
BTW, sp3c, you're a member of ZPost... we'd love to see you post more there too! We need more UK perspectives there.
I'm unconvinced of the veracity of the info too (no pics provided). I guess seeing is believing.
BTW, sp3c, you're a member of ZPost... we'd love to see you post more there too! We need more UK perspectives there.
I went to a market research for the Smart Roadster about 2 years before it appeared on UK dealer forecourts. What I saw there was pretty much the Roadster that we saw when it came out. Same situation though - cameras strictly not allowed, searched etc.
We were asked our impressions of the look of the car,, and how we thought it would fit into the marketplace. We were told various things about it (cost, power, engine type etc). A lot of us said we couldn't see how it would work (we were a group of MX-5 owners at the time)...
So I do believe that this guy possibly went to the same thing.... although his relatively low post count does unfortunately lend a little lack of credibility to the post. It is interesting though, but I guess only time will tell if he's posting the truth or not....
We were asked our impressions of the look of the car,, and how we thought it would fit into the marketplace. We were told various things about it (cost, power, engine type etc). A lot of us said we couldn't see how it would work (we were a group of MX-5 owners at the time)...
So I do believe that this guy possibly went to the same thing.... although his relatively low post count does unfortunately lend a little lack of credibility to the post. It is interesting though, but I guess only time will tell if he's posting the truth or not....
You can add this to the rumor mill. :idunno: :scratchhead:
2010 MY
The next generation Z4 Series replacement (codenamed E89) is due in the 4th Quarter of 2009CY in the European market. The U.S. Market follows in the 1st Quarter of 2010CY, for the 2010MY.
The big news is that BMW will move production of the next generation Z4 away from its current base at Spartanburg, South Carolina to its plant in Regensburg, Germany, where the current generation 3-Series is assembled. This move is consistent with the new Z4’s underpinnings, which will be based on the platform of the current generation (E90) 3-Series range.
Internally, planners had debated whether to equip the next generation model with a canvas top or a solid folding hard top. A good part of the debate regarding the roof mechanism at BMW revolved around vehicle weight. A folding hard top adds cost, complexity, and performance-robbing weight, in addition to necessitating design changes at the rear end to accommodate the folding roof panels. Additionally, a hard top would cause styling compromises for the body, in order to create storage space for the folded roof. At the end, the performance-oriented group won out, with the next generation model maintaining a canvas soft top.
BMW’s overall goal is to maintain high performance goals for the new generation Z4 Roadster, making it a more focused competitor to the Porsche Boxster. Sources indicate that overall styling of the new generation model is expected to be less radical than the current model (which received significant criticism and a drop in sales), but will still maintain sharp-edged, crisp lines.
Size-wise, the new model is expected to slightly grow dimensionally once again (with a wider track) with styling accommodations to meet European pedestrian safety standards. Overall length will stretch to about 4.30 meters.
Part of the next generation model’s size increase has gone toward the engine bay, so that high performance M versions of the car (due about 2011CY) can accommodate a V8 powerplant, the 4.0L V8 that is due for the upcoming M3 model.
The Z4’s regular engine range will utilize Piezo-equipped direct injection petrol versions of the engines shared with the current 3-Series sedan range, including a Twin Turbo 3.0L direct injection 24V I6 (producing about 306hp), and a 2.5L Piezo direct injection 24V I6 (producing about 218hp).
As a result of the new model changeover and the production move back to Germany, the Z4 Coupe will be discontinued until a new generation model rejoins the lineup for 2012MY.
2012 MY
In the 4th Quarter of 2011CY for the 2012MY, BMW will add the Z4 Coupe model. Styling will once again be derived from the Roadster, likely with a fastback rear end once again. As before, the Coupe is likely to offer limited engine options, also shared with the Roadster.
While timing is still fluid, BMW will add a high performance version of the next generation Z4 model in about the 4th Quarter of 2011CY (for the 2012MY). The big news is that the model will include a version of the 420hp 4.0L V8 powerplant that is slated for the upcoming M3 series, producing over 400PS. The new M model will feature the requisite M-Tuning styling modifications, including new bumpers and air dam, unique alloy wheels, unique seats and steering wheel, and interior M-trim.
2010 MY
The next generation Z4 Series replacement (codenamed E89) is due in the 4th Quarter of 2009CY in the European market. The U.S. Market follows in the 1st Quarter of 2010CY, for the 2010MY.
The big news is that BMW will move production of the next generation Z4 away from its current base at Spartanburg, South Carolina to its plant in Regensburg, Germany, where the current generation 3-Series is assembled. This move is consistent with the new Z4’s underpinnings, which will be based on the platform of the current generation (E90) 3-Series range.
Internally, planners had debated whether to equip the next generation model with a canvas top or a solid folding hard top. A good part of the debate regarding the roof mechanism at BMW revolved around vehicle weight. A folding hard top adds cost, complexity, and performance-robbing weight, in addition to necessitating design changes at the rear end to accommodate the folding roof panels. Additionally, a hard top would cause styling compromises for the body, in order to create storage space for the folded roof. At the end, the performance-oriented group won out, with the next generation model maintaining a canvas soft top.
BMW’s overall goal is to maintain high performance goals for the new generation Z4 Roadster, making it a more focused competitor to the Porsche Boxster. Sources indicate that overall styling of the new generation model is expected to be less radical than the current model (which received significant criticism and a drop in sales), but will still maintain sharp-edged, crisp lines.
Size-wise, the new model is expected to slightly grow dimensionally once again (with a wider track) with styling accommodations to meet European pedestrian safety standards. Overall length will stretch to about 4.30 meters.
Part of the next generation model’s size increase has gone toward the engine bay, so that high performance M versions of the car (due about 2011CY) can accommodate a V8 powerplant, the 4.0L V8 that is due for the upcoming M3 model.
The Z4’s regular engine range will utilize Piezo-equipped direct injection petrol versions of the engines shared with the current 3-Series sedan range, including a Twin Turbo 3.0L direct injection 24V I6 (producing about 306hp), and a 2.5L Piezo direct injection 24V I6 (producing about 218hp).
As a result of the new model changeover and the production move back to Germany, the Z4 Coupe will be discontinued until a new generation model rejoins the lineup for 2012MY.
2012 MY
In the 4th Quarter of 2011CY for the 2012MY, BMW will add the Z4 Coupe model. Styling will once again be derived from the Roadster, likely with a fastback rear end once again. As before, the Coupe is likely to offer limited engine options, also shared with the Roadster.
While timing is still fluid, BMW will add a high performance version of the next generation Z4 model in about the 4th Quarter of 2011CY (for the 2012MY). The big news is that the model will include a version of the 420hp 4.0L V8 powerplant that is slated for the upcoming M3 series, producing over 400PS. The new M model will feature the requisite M-Tuning styling modifications, including new bumpers and air dam, unique alloy wheels, unique seats and steering wheel, and interior M-trim.
IMZ4N did that info come from Zpost or somewhere else?
So just over 2 years away for the replacement that sounds about right really. 335 engine sound great though. The ///M not coming for 4 years though, although I suppose that fits in with what happened with the current Z4.
Would have been nice to have had a folding hardtop though. And moving from Spartanburg is probably a bonus too.
So just over 2 years away for the replacement that sounds about right really. 335 engine sound great though. The ///M not coming for 4 years though, although I suppose that fits in with what happened with the current Z4.
Would have been nice to have had a folding hardtop though. And moving from Spartanburg is probably a bonus too.
Well, as speculation it all sounds pretty plausible. Looking forward to the updates.
