[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

That's assuming BMW will be smart enough this time around to reintroduce an M variant! They totally missed the boat on the E89.

Not really that was mostly a girls car.

[rr006rbc]

Oh gross they went back to that ugly 2006 E90 manual knob lol.

[supra93]

Inside the cabin, there’s a sheet taped on the dash that shows some key info, including the Z4 successor’s model code, G29, and the engine found in this prototype, which is the new B48 2.0-liter turbo-four used in everything from the Mini Cooper S Hardtop to the BMW 530i. This particular model features a version, dubbed the “S20i,” rated at around 194 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

For the U.S., however, it’s likely that we’ll receive the 30i variant, which is the same engine rated at 248 hp and 258 lb-ft in the 230i, 330i, and 530i. In addition to the four-cylinder variant, the Z4 successor should also include a six-cylinder-powered M40i model that may utilize the same 335-hp 3.0-liter turbo I-6 found in the M240i and 540i. Although the prototype we spied featured a six-speed manual transmission, expect the U.S.-spec model to come exclusively with the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission. If a row-your-own option does become available in the upcoming Z4 successor, it’ll likely be limited to the base four-cylinder variant.

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/bm...erior-exposed/

[3M TAPE]

I thought this model was called Z5?

[DieGrüneHölle]

Any fixed hard top mules running around?

Verts are no go at my local BMWCCA track days.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Any fixed hard top mules running around?

Verts are no go at my local BMWCCA track days.

You'll have to wait at least until next fall (2018) for that. Part of the co-development agreement is for the Supra to be a coupe only for its first model year, and for the Z5 to be a convertible only for its first model year.

[supra93]

I recall people from other forums and even car news authors saying the earlier coupe mule is actually a BMW coupe and the one that looks more FT1ish is Toyota's version. What do you guys think of this theory?

[Fundguy1]

Still angry they went soft top on the 6. Now they're going in reverse on the Z also. I never got a 135i vert because it had a soft. That's why #1 reason I got an e93. If the e93 had been soft i would've bought a vette. Soft offers no security, is loud, only benefit is minimal weight savings, isn't attractive after a couple years, needs periodic replacement, etc etc. I hope the 4 series doesn't revert at least.

[CeEl]

start of production November 2018???? I sure hope they mean November 18, 2017 ....

[Brake_Late]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Thank god. Overhangs look great, brakes are in the right place and roof is a welcome return. No a/c on the mule?

Thank God it's Manual ! #shifthappens sportier driver input involved drivers driving. Good.
Keep it up ! keep the shiny side up !

[Bosozoku]

Not for me, but I can't wait for the Z4 to be released.
It means that BMW isn't giving up on the Roadster form factor.

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Not for me, but I can't wait for the Z4 to be released.
It means that BMW isn't giving up on the Roadster form factor.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by 3M TAPE

I thought this model was called Z5?

It is.

This thread is old as F /

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by vexx786

They're ditching the hardtop on the next G23 4 series as well. Its for weight savings.

Correct x2

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Still angry they went soft top on the 6. Now they're going in reverse on the Z also. I never got a 135i vert because it had a soft. That's why #1 reason I got an e93. If the e93 had been soft i would've bought a vette. Soft offers no security, is loud, only benefit is minimal weight savings, isn't attractive after a couple years, needs periodic replacement, etc etc. I hope the 4 series doesn't revert at least.

I have a ten year old BMW Ragtop.

You are incorrect on all fronts.

It still looks brand-new.

Yes it's maintained.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

You'll have to wait at least until next fall (2018) for that. Part of the co-development agreement is for the Supra to be a coupe only for its first model year, and for the Z5 to be a convertible only for its first model year.

It will depend heavily on how they sell to begin with. It is not a definite.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

It is.

BMW Americas head Ludwig Willisch:

“There’s no such thing. There will be a sports car, yes, but it’s not going to be a Z5. That’s something that someone else has made up. It will be called Z… probably 4.”

This thread is old as F /

Thread titles can be changed. This one has been changed a number of times.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Still angry they went soft top on the 6. Now they're going in reverse on the Z also. I never got a 135i vert because it had a soft. That's why #1 reason I got an e93. If the e93 had been soft i would've bought a vette. Soft offers no security, is loud, only benefit is minimal weight savings, isn't attractive after a couple years, needs periodic replacement, etc etc. I hope the 4 series doesn't revert at least.

That's funny. The soft top was the #1 reason I went 135 over 335. I hated the move to the hardtop on the big 4 seat convertibles. It rendered the trunk useless, was super complex and put way too much weight above the car's CoG. It is less of a nuicance on the Z because it is a lot smaller, but soft tops today are really good and pretty robust. I'd much rather have a ragtop than a folding hard top.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

BMW Americas head Ludwig Willisch:

“There’s no such thing. There will be a sports car, yes, but it’s not going to be a Z5. That’s something that someone else has made up. It will be called Z… probably 4.”

Thread titles can be changed. This one has been changed a number of times.

1) We'll see what it is going to be called once it is publicly announced.

2) It is super obvious when threads have been recycled, retitled, or reborn numerous times.

[E39hijinks]

Originally Posted by supra93

I recall people from other forums and even car news authors saying the earlier coupe mule is actually a BMW coupe and the one that looks more FT1ish is Toyota's version. What do you guys think of this theory?

he does not fit well in that car

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

It will depend heavily on how they sell to begin with. It is not a definite.

No it won't. We're talking one model year here. Neither Toyota nor BMW have any reason to knee-jerk on this like that -- particularly since the exclusive each make gets specifically reflects that make's pedigree (roadster for BMW, coupe for Toyota) and each's marketing rollout will almost certainly be tied to that pedigree.

Besides: executives for both companies have stated this repeatedly throughout the development process for both cars. And these are vehicles with low production numbers. Neither will make or break either company, either short term or long term.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

No it won't. We're talking one model year here. Neither Toyota nor BMW have any reason to knee-jerk on this like that -- particularly since the exclusive each make gets specifically reflects that make's pedigree (roadster for BMW, coupe for Toyota) and each's marketing rollout will almost certainly be tied to that pedigree.

Besides: executives for both companies have stated this repeatedly throughout the development process for both cars. And these are vehicles with low production numbers. Neither will make or break either company, either short term or long term.

It clearly breaks them enough to share a platform now doesn't it.

We'll see just how well the first ones do in this uncertain market before getting to excited about what might come next.