Will there be a Z2?

S

sammyz

Veteran
 Merseyside
I notice from the news that both V.W. and now Mercedes are rumoured to be putting their small, lighter roadsters into production. Honda may also be doing something similar.I haven't seen any news at all about the rumoured Z2 based on the 1 series and thought it was likely to be shelved with the credit crunch etc.

But I wonder if BMW will follow the trend and we may see the Z2 afterall. A back to basics rag top with rear wheel drive and a series of engines (yes even a diesel) hopefully including the twin turbo 3 litre :thumbsup: would probably interest me more than the new Z4.
 
Wouldn't it have to be a 1-seater to be smaller than the Z4, or are they just going to do away with storage completely?

Anyway, they've already got a 1-series ragtop & coupe, so maybe they'll just remove the rear seats - but it'd still be bigger than the Z4, which goes against their normal numbering/naming scheme.
 
I think it would be slightly smaller than current Z4 but as you say, to keep storage it couldn't be that much smaller. The idea is to compete with MX5 I guess, starting at about £20K. Merc have SLK and VW/Audi have the TT but they seem to be going ahead with smaller, cheaper alternatives.
 
mmm-five said:
Wouldn't it have to be a 1-seater to be smaller than the Z4, or are they just going to do away with storage completely?
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I think the idea is that the Z2 would be to the Z4 what the SLK is to the SL. Obviously the Z4 isn't as big as an SL (yet!), but then there are smaller sports cars than an SLK (MX-5, as mentioned previously).
 
Tiny, lightweight sport cars aren't about storage space. From the looks of the new Z4 it has definitely grown enough that they could slot a smaller, more focused 2-seater into the lineup without any problems. I really don't understand why every new model of every car gets bigger. I'd definitely say the new Z4 is heading into SL territory, so something smaller isn't a bad idea.
 
Topshelf said:
Tiny, lightweight sport cars aren't about storage space. From the looks of the new Z4 it has definitely grown enough that they could slot a smaller, more focused 2-seater into the lineup without any problems. I really don't understand why every new model of every car gets bigger. I'd definitely say the new Z4 is heading into SL territory, so something smaller isn't a bad idea.
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I agree - makes me laugh when the motor journo's describe that a car has got larger on the outside at the beginning of the review then later on express surprise at the amount of increased interior space :roll: :rofl:
 
Surely if they did do something like a smaller Z4, it would be the Z1 revival?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z1
 
IF BMW were to make a Z2, I'd like if it'd fit into the line up as a VX220/Elise rival, but with a bit more comfort and refinement as befitting a BMW, i.e. something a bit more driver-focussed as a toy/fun car with less practicality than the Z4. Would obviously have to be much lighter (around 1000kgs max) but would therefore require a smaller engine for decent performance (or just slap the 3.2 in there for some mental fun :evil:).

Or maybe that's just what I'd like? :oops:


VW have that Blue Motion concept car thing they had at a recent show - I'd imagine that sort of thing...
 
Actually Honda killed the S2000 for good, the NSX project and it doesn't sound like they'll produce anything other than eco-boxes for now.
 
I heard the same bmwmike. This is the first time in a long time (perhaps ever) that Honda & Toyota didn't make money in a quarter. Awesome that these companies makes such great cars, but in the end they have to be profitable and I'm sure the line of Civics make them more money than the S2Ks and the NSXs.
 
There better be a Z2. The new Z4 is too big for me. My Z4 won't last forever and I like ragtops that are light. Are you listening BMW??? I am on my 5th BMW and don't want to leave the family, so please give me a light weight, ragtop roadster. A Z2 with better fit and finish than the Z3 I had would be nice. The Z4 is perfect, but it could still lose about 400 - 800 lbs. C'mon BMW, don't make me buy a Porsche for my next car.
 
BMW have been toying with a Z2 for years and years...Originally designed in 1990's for launch in 2002. Was to be available as a roadster and coupe coded the E46/5-S

Later the project was revamped and another try - this time the E82/2 scheduled for a 2006 launch. No show

I guess it's one they always plan to launch, question is just when the market is right for it.
 
The Z2 was to based on the 1 series, using the existing hood mech from the Z4 or possibly having a manually operated one to keep weight down. The 1.6 turbo engines from the Mini would be a possibility I guess but a fully specced Z2 with a twin turbo 3 litre engine and all the usual luxuries would weigh as much as the current Z4 3 litre as BMW don't really do light!
 
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