One of the most controversially-designed but immensely satisfying driver’s cars, the BMW Z4, is almost at its tail’s end. These are the latest spy photos of its replacement, the 2010 version which has been spied a few times before already. The roof looks like a two-piece hard-top convertible which if it makes it into final production, will mark BMW Z’s first foray into tin top territory.
What makes these particular pictures special, apart from the red colour, is how little effort BMW has put into hiding the car from us. Of course 9 out of 10 times they get found out anyway, which is why we still advocate for a ‘less is more’ policy across the board from all manufacturers in future. Ok, we can dream can’t we?
Even in this state a few details are still under wraps, like the front and rear lights, the latter though giving clear clues as to the styling direction the Z4 is taking. We can see how the rear bumper convexes toward the concave boot lid. Z4 is expected to show its first public face at Detroit in January 2009, with production commencing a few months later in Germany.
New BMW Z4 Spied with Least Amount of Camouflage
New BMW Z4 Spied with least camouflage
Folding hard top confirmed
By Thami Masemola
October 13, 2008 9:36 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German, Spy Photos
Comments
Dlaor
October 13, 2008 9:40 PM
Hardtop carbio, nice!
Bristol411S3
October 13, 2008 9:40 PM
I never understood the Z4 as a keen drivers car. It always seemed to underperform against the Boxster and even the revised SLK.
Save the tail lights this one looks no different. I can't see it setting the sector alight.
pzigly
October 13, 2008 9:42 PM
Y the hell wasnt the 6 series a hard top convertible? Y didnt BMW have hard top convertible until this year? Did they not have enough R&D to make one? For god sakes even GM had a hard top convertable!!! I guess it doesnt matter cuz even if they make garbage, it still has a bmw logo on it...
Laterzzz
October 13, 2008 10:06 PM
I disagree!!! Firstly the Z4 and Boxster have been extremely close in terms of handling and performance and in most cases the Z4 was the better option because of the cheaper price, the M version swept the floor with the Boxster S. As for the SLK, dont make me laugh, yes the latest version is a much better car than the previous model but the current Z4 is 6-7 years old. As for the hardtop / soft top discussion. A true roadster feel was soft top, mainly due to weight and traditions, but due to customer requirements more and more hard top versions are available. Do Porsche do a Boxster with a folding hardtop?
pzigly
October 13, 2008 10:20 PM
lol soft top feel? The soft top feel is annoying! Thats y they made the hard top. Less noise and more better everything else. From roll over protection to probably gas saving (less air friction) soft top ment you would have problems with the top later.
Decypha
October 14, 2008 10:28 AM
I don't know; BMW has failed to impress me with their hardtops; till the day they can pull of a hardtop as natural looking as the SLK for instance I would prefer they go the cloth route; what's the purpose of that cloth concept then? is all that R&D wasted?
lucifa
October 14, 2008 1:14 PM
the slk? i hope you mean the sl, cos the slk has a hideous rear end. that said, even though i don't really like mercs, the outgoing SL is probably the best looking hard top ever made? can anyone name a better looking folding hard top than the sl?
Decypha
October 15, 2008 11:36 PM
Nah SLK and SL alike; the SL does hardtops justice yes but so does the SLK.
I disagree about the rear looking ugly on the SLK but that's your opinion so... but what I did say is that the roof on the SLK looks natural, so much so I find myself forgetting the top comes down.
DSC_OFF
October 13, 2008 10:12 PM
It's weird, I don't see a joint in the trunk at the B/C pillar for the trunk to open and accept the top.
Check it out. The trunk is smooth and continuous all the way up to the gap at the door.
AG4
October 14, 2008 8:57 AM
Are these the trunk/pillar cut lines you are looking for? http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5552/trunkcutlineol8.jpg
Emrys_Myrddin
October 13, 2008 11:20 PM
Really looking forward to this one! BMW has been betting on stupid X6's and X1's... boring! Come on BMW, show you've still got what it takes to make a proper sports car! 35i is gonna be a blast, and the M3's V8... bye bye boxster!
wjaprep
October 13, 2008 11:39 PM
Aww... a hardtop convertible? i like it on the SLK and on the SL... a bit... but Im not sure about this, mainly because it will mean no more Z4M coupe.
pzigly
October 14, 2008 12:03 AM
that doesnt mean they will not have the coupe. the convertable will probably be a arm and a leg cost option.
CheeseGrinder
October 14, 2008 9:40 AM
The Z4M coupe is one of my favorite car designs ever, so tough and different, but this new one seems to have lost its aggressive stance, i hope it looks better in the metal coz this one looks like a gay little bubble.
wisp
October 14, 2008 9:49 AM
Last time i checked, the Z4/Z4M beat their competion in performance.
On looks the competition will win.
wisp
October 14, 2008 9:50 AM
Last time i checked, the Z4/Z4M beat their competition in performance. On looks the competition will win.
Decypha
October 14, 2008 10:29 AM
Anyhow this looks like it might actually look better than the current Z4
BabyMilo
October 14, 2008 12:18 PM
ive never liked the z4, i was happy to see the article saying that it was going to be discontinued and then dipressed when i saw the articles of the new one...
DSC_OFF
October 14, 2008 6:43 PM
Oh hell, there they are. Somehow I missed the one on the far left. Thanks.
Laterzzz
October 14, 2008 11:16 PM
pzigly, what car do you drive? honestly? Have you drove any of the latest BMW's Porsches or Mercs? I mean comparing GM to BMW! cmon.
Nurchus
October 15, 2008 6:27 PM
Actually, that is an accurate comparison. The heavier and bigger BMWs get, the crappier they perform, like my bloody 328i. Good Lord this car is not only ugly as sin, but a horrible performer.
So far, the only car I see pulling its own is the 1 series.
jpm
October 15, 2008 2:01 PM
I can't believe they have savaged a light and nimble roadster, deserting traditional roadster values by dumping a dirty great hard-top onto the car... rubbish, utter sh--te.. Since when has a folding hard-topped car looked good? Take for example the new 3 Ser Convertible, the E46 variant looked so much better.
Ah well, welcome another heavy underpowered squeaky topped car that even when given a proper engine will still not have the same beautiful balance that the Z4M and 3.0SI currently have. Yes they're tail happy under power but that's the fun. It spoils the lines and classic kudos a rag top has previously afforded the owner.
Laterzzz
October 15, 2008 10:32 PM
I take it nurchus u mean the E90 328i/330i? If you honestly think that it is crappy and comparable to a GM then why have you bought it? Can you actually drive it? Why dont you sell it? JPM spot on, why cant people see the advantages and heritage of rag tops? Hey I have got an E93 and love it but agree rag tops suit roadsters!
melloco2201
October 21, 2008 9:19 AM
does any of you guys have owned a Z4 or Z4m at all? With all due respect to everybody here I think one has to own one of these cars to really be able to critize them. I have leased 3 in a row, there is nothing even close to these babies in their class
Uptohere
November 26, 2008 10:03 PM
To me this car looks strange with a hard-top, albeit it is more practical. I think I actually prefer the outgoing Z4.
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