Next Generation BMW Z4: A More Dynamic Sports Car
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"The thinking here is that the longevity of modern cars means that older BMWs still have an impact on brand image. So they’re now designed with timelessness in mind, avoiding stand-out features that might age quickly"
That means Audi like bland styling then. With references to shorter bonnet etc aligning more with the Z2 stories perhaps. 2015 is a long way off... I'll probably be in a 5 series by then lol
That means Audi like bland styling then. With references to shorter bonnet etc aligning more with the Z2 stories perhaps. 2015 is a long way off... I'll probably be in a 5 series by then lol
Maniac said:
I'm not sure that is necessarily the case. I think the E85/6 and E89 are obviously related to one another and I reckon BMW will still see the E85/6 reflecting positively on the brand. I read this to mean that design progression from one evolution to the next will be more subtle but in a traditional sports car like a Roadster it's much easier to design timeless than in a saloon/hatch. Think of the 911 and it's iterations or the Boxster or the MX5. None has changed radically but the overall design has remained relevant to the times.
"Therefore the weight distribution in the new model will be vastly improved"
Vastly improved?? I thought the E85/E86 already has pretty much perfect 50/50 weight distribution. How are they going to vastly improve on that? Eh?
The whole article is just bollocks ... basically, BMW want to move to 4 cylinder engines to satisfy EU regulations ... but their customer base does not particularly want 4 cylinders. Customers like the nice smooth straight sixes (already the lightest engines in their class). So, it's all shmooze talk. And if the 4 cyl engines are smaller, BMW probably HAVE to make the Z4 bonnet smaller ... or it will look damn silly. So, that explains the smaller bonnet.
Summary: If BMW seriously wants agile and sporty, the first and obvious step is to drop the metal folding roof that adds 400 pounds to the car. That is all.
Vastly improved?? I thought the E85/E86 already has pretty much perfect 50/50 weight distribution. How are they going to vastly improve on that? Eh?
The whole article is just bollocks ... basically, BMW want to move to 4 cylinder engines to satisfy EU regulations ... but their customer base does not particularly want 4 cylinders. Customers like the nice smooth straight sixes (already the lightest engines in their class). So, it's all shmooze talk. And if the 4 cyl engines are smaller, BMW probably HAVE to make the Z4 bonnet smaller ... or it will look damn silly. So, that explains the smaller bonnet.
Summary: If BMW seriously wants agile and sporty, the first and obvious step is to drop the metal folding roof that adds 400 pounds to the car. That is all.
Rialas said:
BMW doesn't WANT 4-cylinder engines. It HAS to make them. An important difference.
Personally I would rather they made the car look more like a Morgan Aero8 than a Coxter. Just me perhaps not every ones cup of tea. I love the long bonnet It's one thing that makes the Z4M stand out. The other is the Engine. 
If both are gone in future generations and BMW go for the Passat of sports cars look, :thumbsdown: it will sell 1000's and I will be looking elsewhere, maybe back to Italy.
If both are gone in future generations and BMW go for the Passat of sports cars look, :thumbsdown: it will sell 1000's and I will be looking elsewhere, maybe back to Italy. 
inkey$ said:
I'm not convinced they'll use i8 styling cues inkey$, because they have been quite clear so far that the i-badged cars will be a separate brand, in much the same way the Mini is.
For me what was interesting about this article was the tacit admission that the E89 has been a sales "miss" as the massive discounts on the s-drive 20i illustrated. They got the model wrong and misunderstood their core demographic - who wanted a proper sports car roadster and not a boulevard cruiser. Oh and no M halo model was the final nail in the coffin.