Spy Shots: BMW Z9

Spy Shots: BMW Z9
Like you, we're having a hard time wading through the conjecture on what this car is exactly. We mistakenly told you below that the Z9 would be a CL-Class fighter, which is wrong – it will be an SL-fighter (damned Mercedes nomenclature!). However, the test mule still doesn't look large enough to compete with the SL-Class (maybe the SLK, which is why we still think it's a Z4).

Reports are flooding in from Munich of a never-before-seen test mule from BMW that's purported to be the Z9, the successor to the short-lived Z8 premium ragtop the automaker sold from 2000 to 2003. Now, to be fair, the mule could simply be the next generation Z4 convertible, but the photographers from KGP seem to believe the body shape is purposefully misleading and that it is, indeed, the Z9.


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answeranswer - 1/11/2007 4:04:12 PM
+3 Boost
I would like a Z9 to become a reality.

I really was fond of the Z8. Was it just the dealer markups that killed it?


minimalistminimalist - 1/13/2007 9:28:49 PM
0 Boost
the z8 was not as popular as it should have been not due to its "dangerous handling" but because it lacked limited slip and because it was gaining the reputation of having very stiff independent struts causing its frame to bend in some cases. it had its own frame structure entirely distinct from the z3. in fact, at its time, it outperformed the ferrari 360 in speed and handling.

the alpina modifications were for styling rather than performance. it resigned an automatic tranny, alpina rims, alpina interior and a softer suspension. i believe there was no performance enhancements at all.

fairly cool car. one of the best performance cars ever made by bmw. some would say better than the current m6.


CarboyCarboy - 1/11/2007 4:07:51 PM
+1 Boost
Wheres my posting of this?


SilverAeroSilverAero - 1/11/2007 4:19:03 PM
+1 Boost
I like the proportions of this car. not as "cute" as a z4 thats good. kinda shaped like a mini viper.


matt635matt635 - 1/11/2007 4:19:55 PM
+2 Boost
Hmm, looks too small to be something that houses a V10, but the twin pipes point to it having at least a straight 6.

It isn't the 1 series cabriolet seen testing at the ring.

The Z4 can't be up for replacement yet, can it?

Maybe this is the Z9, Maybe the next gen Z4, Maybe this is the Z2?

I am intrigued.


AdmiralT20AdmiralT20 - 1/11/2007 4:44:31 PM
0 Boost
Matt635, you are right.
It has the TT-I6 N54 engine in it.
Yep, it is the new Z4 successor, I think it is the E89 or something.


AdmiralT20AdmiralT20 - 1/11/2007 4:31:21 PM
0 Boost
That is the new Z4 with the N54 engine


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 1/11/2007 4:35:36 PM
+2 Boost
it's definitely bigger than a Z4, so I doubt it's a Z2. BMW heads have talked for years about wanting to get into the SL-class (a two seat, tin top GT), since right now the SL basically sits there cleaning up with no real competition.

Hard to tell what the car is going to look like with all that camoflage but the rear flanks and side lines definitely have some Viper/XK/Aston Martin in them, which is good. Looks like there's some nice potential here.


AdmiralT20AdmiralT20 - 1/11/2007 4:41:20 PM
0 Boost
It is the new Z4, with extra bit of camo.


matt635matt635 - 1/11/2007 5:05:01 PM
+2 Boost
If it were a Z9, to me it would tread on the toes of the 6 series abit too much.

I personally liked the Z8, but I dont think it's suitable for a flagship car. BMW need to go mid engined with a V10.


matt635matt635 - 1/11/2007 5:01:43 PM
+2 Boost
X-ray vision?


nathan_putlandnathan_putland - 1/11/2007 5:26:24 PM
0 Boost
Agreed. Definitely a Z4 replacement. The car is not big enough to be in the SL league.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/11/2007 7:30:15 PM
+2 Boost
The SL is not big, LOL.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 1/11/2007 6:47:40 PM
+2 Boost
it might not be as big as an SL but it's a lot bigger than a Z4. It also looks like it has either a camo'd rear quarter window or a rear pillow (meaning the top is metal and the ragtop is stuck on as a diversion). If that's the case then it very well could be the SL-class car. BMW already has a "big" convertible with the 6-series, Z's have never been large cars. As long as it seats two in absolute comfort, has a metal roof, is very luxuriously appointed, has some great engines, and costs a lot, it's an SL fighter.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/11/2007 7:29:59 PM
+2 Boost
Oh, I thought it was just a rumor!

This looks very cool. Respectable SL-fighter, I guess?


HwanyHwany - 1/11/2007 9:24:45 PM
0 Boost
Isn't 6-series the SL-fighter?

This does look bigger than the current Z4 but who knows..




S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/12/2007 12:15:31 AM
+2 Boost
No, because it has four seats and a ragtop. The 6's closest competitor is the Jaguar XK, but the 6, XK, SL and even 911 are cross-shopped.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 1/12/2007 9:31:08 AM
+2 Boost
no, not only is the 6-series a four seat ragtop it's also about $20k less expensive than an SL550 when typically equipped. It basically slots between the CLK and the SL.


BMWMPowerBMWMPower - 1/14/2007 5:41:25 AM
+2 Boost
The 6 series is more of a CL competitor than an SL one.


TauronB2GTauronB2G - 1/12/2007 12:08:29 AM
-3 Boost
Its ugly enough to be the new Z4


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 1/12/2007 12:16:07 AM
+4 Boost
There's a huge thing of camouflage armor on this thing. Are you telling me you can see through it?

LOL you have a Tauron and you're calling this ugly.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 1/12/2007 11:38:18 AM
+2 Boost
regardless of what this car is they'd have to call the car something else if they wanted it to be an SL competitor, they couldn't still call it a Z4. No way you can have 10 years worth of Z3's/Z4's at $50k or less and then suddenly make a new Z4 priced at $100k. It would need to be a different model, hence Z9 or something.


matt635matt635 - 1/12/2007 4:54:08 PM
+2 Boost
So, you regard the 507 as the last 'sports car' BMW made?

Please, can you just clarify that, so at least anyone with an IQ greater than yours (80-90?) can ignore you in future?


BMWMPowerBMWMPower - 1/14/2007 5:48:01 AM
+1 Boost
I really hope that BMW does go the whole hog here and build a true top end car that can take it to the Audi R8 in looks and performance as that is one hot car.


AdmiralT20AdmiralT20 - 1/12/2007 2:15:23 PM
+2 Boost
From what I hear, the Z4 will get the hard top. What we are looking at will get an uptuned N54 engine.

The new S65B4X V8 engine from the new M3 engine is planned to replace the engine in the current Z4M engine in the furture.
Now whether it will still be called the Z4/Z6 is still not finalised yet, however there are strong indications that it will remain a Z4


tmoney1188mittmoney1188mit - 1/13/2007 5:20:02 AM
+2 Boost
renlex495,


You make everyone dumber by posting messages so don't do it nobody likes you. Besides at the end of the day Lexus will still be Asian trash nobody gives a shit about build quality, that's sort of like the fat girl with a good personality, nobody wants to bang her.


tmoney1188mittmoney1188mit - 1/13/2007 5:51:20 PM
+1 Boost
renlex495,

Asian cars are extremely Nouveau Riche, from a mechanical stand point they are sound. These cars however don't compare to anything that comes out of Germany, mechanically or innovatively, and no matter how you reply to this post everyone is dumber for reading any of your bitter diatribes, and you gobble a brobdingnagian amount of cock and you are a giant dumbass.
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