BMW's New Z5 Roadster To Be First Spawn From BMW-Toyota Alliance

German newspaper Focus reports that BMW is working together with Toyota on a new vehicle, called Z5.

The news is not new somehow as the Germans already announced their cooperation with Toyota a year ago, but according to the same source; we now know that pretty soon we will get to see a concept co-developed vehicle which will serve as a preview for the rear-wheel drive Z5 Roadster.

Focus reports that BMW will be in charge with the design of the interior and exterior, engine and suspensions. Toyota will provide optional hybrid technology. Therefore the upcoming Z5 will come in two variants: a standard model and a hybrid variant. Unlike current plug-in hybrids, the electric motor in the BMW-Toyota sports car will be tuned for performance; it is expected to produce approx. 136hp.

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LexSucks - 8/30/2013 1:45:47 PM

-1 Boost

BMW's foray towards irrelevance continues.

Aznboyz - 9/16/2013 2:05:40 PM

+1 Boost

Much like your opinion around here.

hdbu - 8/30/2013 1:54:52 PM

+3 Boost

I'm looking forward to the improved performance Toyota will gain from BMW. Hopefully it will be presented as a supra!

Agent009 - 8/30/2013 3:27:39 PM

+1 Boost

Well you know they will learn quite a bit. Seriously shocked though that Toyota STILL has not picked up widespread turbocharging. It has been mainstream since the 80's.

MorePower - 8/30/2013 3:44:56 PM

+1 Boost

@Agent

There is no need to add turbos, or forced induction, when you do not sell a car that needs the performance, aside from the FT86/Scion FR-S.

dlin - 8/30/2013 3:34:33 PM

+2 Boost

Kill me if this thing only comes w/ 211 hp. BTW please put elec motor in the back of seat?

Satriani1 - 8/31/2013 6:54:51 PM

+2 Boost

Automobile Mag: "Although the carmaker (BMW) keeps posting record sales, the bottom line does not shine quite so brightly anymore because fleet sales and price wars are taking their toll...

As with any partnership, each side has something the other wants... BMW is keen to dig into Toyota's research on fuel cells and hybrid drivetrains.

Both parties, meanwhile, see an urgent need to update their sports car lineups. It may seem preposterous that BMW needs help from anyone on this front, let alone from Toyota. Look closer. BMW sold only 4500 Z4s worldwide between January and May. The 6-series is completely out of step with the times -- too big, too heavy, and too much of a boulevardier. When Audi replaces the R8 in 2015 and Mercedes launches the AMG GT in 2016, even the M6 will look fat and obsolete.

But the core deficiency -- and where Toyota could greatly help -- is cash. BMW doesn't have the resources to throw at low-volume cars, however vital they may be to the brand's reputation... It would need to be cheap enough to underpin cars in the Z2 and Celica ranges but good enough to yield a 6-series replacement along with the belated successor to the Supra.

Although this looks like a win/win scenario, it is met with considerable resistance inside BMW -- and probably at Toyota. It's not yet clear which side would be in charge of the sports car project. The not invented here syndrome looms large at the group's Munich headquarters, most fiercely within the M division. Internal critics fear customers will balk at a Camry connection, and they're not entirely wrong.

The partnership rubs against BMW's reputation as a tightly knit, fiercely independent performance brand.

In reality, though, that BMW disappeared long before any flirtation with Toyota. The erosion began years ago with the ill-fated Rover and Bentley adventures and has sped up during the expensive gestation of Project i, which may be visionary but still waters down the Ultimate Driving Machine ethos.

BMW is changing, whether it links up with Toyota or not."

http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1209_the_deep_dive_does_bmw_really_need_toyota/