Next-generation BMW Z4 to become a hardtop roadster

Spies recently caught the next-generation BMW Z4 around Munich and the biggest upgrade that stands out this year is a folding metal roof. The next-generation BMW Z4 will drop the fabric for a hardtop convertible following in the footsteps of the 3-Series convertible. Not to mention that rival Mercedes SLK is also a hardtop.

Rather than just concentrating on competing with the SLK, the Z4 will expand its horizons and will take on the Porsche Boxster with a range of high-output engines. Sources say a twin-turbocharged 3.0L 6-cylinder unit is a possibility. The Z4 is also expected to get diesel power for the first time. The M model is expected...
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EL34 - 4/11/2008 1:27:40 PM

-2 Boost

What a great lookin' BMW.

Another winner I predict :-)

FactsRule - 4/11/2008 1:29:06 PM

-1 Boost

You are right EL34!

I totally Agree!!!

MadibaP - 4/11/2008 3:29:38 PM

-4 Boost

Really? It looks like another tasteless horror to me! BMW are quite good at this actually the 5 must be the ugliest car of all time! Oh well what do you expect when you design for the trailer park...

_43LE - 4/11/2008 4:42:00 PM

+2 Boost

The current Z4 is one of the most ugly cars on the road today. I hope this new one will look much better. The original Z3 was great.

EL34 - 4/12/2008 11:03:29 AM

+2 Boost

ToyotaPower, remember whatever 43 says just do the complete opposite and you'll be OK ;-)

stash84 - 4/12/2008 8:48:53 PM

0 Boost

imo..these models of bmws are among the ugliest cars on the road..im sure they handle and perform great though..

FactsRule - 4/24/2008 9:07:20 AM

+1 Boost

Madiba, you must really be eat up with envy every time you see a BMW which must be all the time since "they are designed for the Trailer Park".

theoptimisticpessimist - 4/11/2008 1:47:19 PM

+1 Boost

I think this is going to be a great car. With BMW new engine choices, updates in the exterior design. The hard top I think is a good move, all though there is a few trade offs (mostly weight), but I think that what this demographic wants.

A couple of things concern me; first price it's going to be more expensive being built in Germany versus the U.S., Second I think the big sales days of two seater's is about over. This market is very cyclical and markets been flooded over the last decade. Two seater's tend to be third cars that are "buy and hold items."

I think it will be a terrific car, I just don't think they will see near the sells numbers of the Z3.

JCH335i - 4/11/2008 1:53:59 PM

+3 Boost

I agree but i think this is going to be an excellent car. BMW is on a roll, 3-series coupe, M3, 1-series, X6, every car that they have released recently has been an undisputed hit!

PS Z4 with a 3.0 TT will be nasty, not to mention if they add DCT!

S4cabriofoxone - 4/12/2008 1:10:52 PM

-1 Boost

I agree with all the others you mentioned, but X6 may be a flop. It's just not particularly great at anything, and it costs a lot more than the X5.

JRobUSC - 4/11/2008 2:24:57 PM

+2 Boost

one of the other sites reported the Z4 was going to be offered in both softtop AND hardtop form, like the new Miata. It seems silly to me to spend the money R&Ding and building two different versions of the same convertible when regardless it's going to be a low volume car. Hopefully they don't do that.

BimmerFan - 4/11/2008 3:11:36 PM

+2 Boost

Hopefully they DO make an option for soft top or hard top. The Z4 is a niche car...not expected to sell as many as the middle of the road 3 Series. It is what it is. I know I thoroughly enjoy my '06 M Roadster! :)

lexusis350 - 4/11/2008 2:38:05 PM

-3 Boost

The Z-Series is the embarrassment of BMW, in my opinion. It's a major midlife crisis car. I should know. My unlce bought one when he turned fifty. Now his comeover flaps in the wind :). But seriously, this is the least-appealing of the BMWs.

JRobUSC - 4/11/2008 2:42:35 PM

+6 Boost

and the SLK and SC430 are what exactly?

lexusis350 - 4/11/2008 2:51:32 PM

-3 Boost

Well we weren't talking about those, were we? We were talking about the Z4.

theoptimisticpessimist - 4/11/2008 3:01:22 PM

+4 Boost

Hmmm, an embarrassment, by total number Z4 is the best seller in its class.

ZBL1414 - 4/11/2008 6:35:26 PM

+9 Boost

"least appealing of the BMWs"... kind of like having a girlfriend who is the least appealing of the Victoria's Secret models.

S4cabriofoxone - 4/12/2008 1:12:13 PM

+1 Boost

^LMAO.

And is350, you have got to be kidding. The X3 is obviously the worst BMW.

BimmerFan - 4/11/2008 3:07:15 PM

+1 Boost

Old news.

The word now is that BMW is going to make a soft top and hard top version.

MadibaP - 4/11/2008 4:17:25 PM

+2 Boost

yes and class! Who on earth would want a BMW if you could have a Porsche? I just don't get it...

bmwdrvr - 4/12/2008 3:23:33 AM

+3 Boost

somebody that doesnt want to be ripped off maybe, porsches are fine cars, but how many idiots would spend 70+ grand on a 6 cylinder 2 seater without powerseats, one color everything interior, down market plastics EVERYWHERE, and lacking full leather seats are you kidding me......wonderful cars but they are all emotion no logic even someone that has the means could see the poor business logic behind a porsche

t_bone - 4/12/2008 10:49:15 AM

+1 Boost

Boxster 2.7 $45,800 (245 hp)
Boxster S $55,700 (295 hp)
Boxster RS60 $64,900 (303 hp, loaded with options)

Typical negotiated out the door is 5-10% under MSRP

MadibaP - 4/12/2008 4:30:18 PM

+3 Boost

Well if you don't like cheap plastics you won't like a single BMW would you? And you most certainly get a lot for more value per $ at Porsche than you do at BMW, a brand that is entirely without taste!

FactsRule - 4/24/2008 9:09:22 AM

+1 Boost

Madiba has evidently never driven a BMW that is why he doesn't get it.

FactsRule - 4/24/2008 9:11:17 AM

+1 Boost

Madiba, you are so full of crap! BMW's use much less plastic than almost all the other carmaker's. You just want something to Bitch about because BMW's are such great cars.

theoptimisticpessimist - 4/11/2008 4:36:53 PM

+2 Boost

If you look at who is posting the article, most are posted by the readers.

Homer008 - 4/12/2008 2:29:45 AM

-1 Boost

True, but...
I posted several times but someone at the autospies did not posted my post.

I was posting 1 Audi article, 1 Subaru article and something else..i completely quit posting on this website b/c if its not about BMW, forget it...I know my article got deleted somewhere...its a b.s.

FactsRule - 4/24/2008 9:13:20 AM

+1 Boost

But yet everwhere we look there is another post dissing this site for reporting on BMW's.. Have you ever thoght that maybe BMW makes such great cars that everyone wants to read about them?

ThierryHenry14 - 4/11/2008 4:35:51 PM

+3 Boost

looks great. imagine it with the 3.0l tt engine.

JRobUSC - 4/11/2008 5:08:47 PM

+4 Boost

since they're making it bigger I imagine the M3 4.0L V8 will make its way in there too. That'd be a little beast of a car.

ThierryHenry14 - 4/11/2008 9:25:34 PM

+2 Boost

can't wait... a beast of a car is right...

S4cabriofoxone - 4/12/2008 1:13:39 PM

+1 Boost

Actually, I wouldn't count on the V8. Let Mercedes stick to putting massive V8s in small cars; with Audi going the lightweight route with the TT-S and TT-RS, I think BMW will do something similar.

theoptimisticpessimist - 4/11/2008 7:19:00 PM

+3 Boost

BMW blog is report option for cloth or hard-top.

bmwfan1513 - 4/11/2008 11:51:46 PM

+1 Boost

Nice. Much better than the Mercedes.

MunichRob - 4/13/2008 8:05:11 AM

+1 Boost

^^ ^^
How can you tell?

MadibaP - 4/14/2008 6:37:28 AM

+2 Boost

Well that says terrible things about its style then!

komododave - 4/14/2008 12:33:36 AM

+1 Boost

This move makes sense since there is the persistent rumor of a Z2 in the making based off the 1 series. Leave the Z2 to catch the up and coming sports car enthusiasts and have the Z4 take in a little more of the upper class. Its a better plan than trying to make the Z4 a sports car for many budgets.