Will BMW’s Next Z4 Look Like This?

Is BMW’s slower-selling Z4 set to grow up? Bimmer’s smallest roadster hasn’t enjoyed the same sales as its Z3 predecessor, and fresh competition from a new Audi TT (among others) may have the automaker heading back to the drawing board.

Hans Lehmann’s folks over at Hidden Image have gone and created a couple of renderings based on prevailing rumors about a replacement, dubbed Z6, which could make use of engines cribbed from BMW’s new 3-series Coupe.

(Click through to the jump for another view)



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nphas042 - 11/8/2006 12:54:47 PM

+3 Boost

Man, I have a craving to buy a saturn sky now. I wonder why?

Murcielago_LP640 - 11/8/2006 12:55:55 PM

+1 Boost

I sure as hell hope not....

SSP350 - 11/8/2006 12:58:21 PM

+1 Boost

The side profile does look like a Saturn Sky, but since its a BMW, I guess most folks will like it anyway.

skoobyfl - 11/8/2006 12:57:57 PM

+1 Boost

Suicide would be more respected.

audiot - 11/8/2006 1:22:36 PM

0 Boost

BMW would never chop the kidney grille that much. It's (hopefully) a way off-base interpretation of a memo that was only partially shredded and pieced back together with CIA technology.

justinT - 11/8/2006 1:54:14 PM

+1 Boost

i hope not, and so i don't get anybody screaming at me, i'm going to quote a friend, "those lights and kidney grills look like an asian."

he's korean. yell at him.

EL34 - 11/8/2006 2:26:06 PM

0 Boost

First off this is a photoshop and second this new Z4 will kick the butt in styling of any Lexus.

Rupert - 11/8/2006 3:15:07 PM

-2 Boost

Say hello to the new lexus lf-a. oh wait, this is a bmw?

Carboy - 11/8/2006 3:29:12 PM

+1 Boost

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, NO.

audiot - 11/8/2006 7:54:00 PM

+1 Boost

I found that post interesting and true. The X5 looks to me like a marriage of the subtlest of Bangle elements with the old pre-Bangle stuff.

audiot - 11/9/2006 1:14:19 AM

0 Boost

No, actually, this post was on point, not focused on yourself and your personal baggage. It was about the post at hand and was a clearly interesting comment. No sarcasm. A clearly viable point, and I hope BMW follows it because Bangle is about 1/2 step too far.

UPshift - 11/8/2006 4:36:36 PM

+1 Boost

It is amazing how good the Z4 Coupe turned out using Bangle's lines and something like this would transistion well into "normal Earth" styling. But the grille....ugh! A proper BMW grille must be a priority.

mstangpny07 - 11/8/2006 4:42:18 PM

-1 Boost

good besides the ultra thin headlights and grille. Kinda reminds me of the 840/850 (E31)

AmazingBimmer - 11/8/2006 5:13:24 PM

-1 Boost

either way, it will be agreat car and not a compromise like an audi or slk. they need to seriously challenge porsche

EL34 - 11/8/2006 8:27:43 PM

+2 Boost

Nah, Lexus has been stealing German ideas from their first car.

BMW are making a natural progression with this concept.

sewingmachine - 11/8/2006 6:57:14 PM

+1 Boost

it kinda looks like a miata, man will they ever design the z series good.

audiot - 11/8/2006 7:57:05 PM

-1 Boost

Let's put to rest the idea that BMW and MB copy Japanese/Korean designers. They don't. It is against their culture to look East for their ideas. VW... you could make a case for VW cribbing from Japan with the Jetta, etc, but don't talk crazy about the top-tier German brands copying Japanese designers. It just isn't in the DNA.

They can screw up a design perfectly well by following the German muse. I'm not saying they don't make mistakes, but it's due to their own myopic hubris and not stealing designs from Japan.

S4cabriofox - 11/8/2006 10:26:09 PM

0 Boost

These brands aren't intentionally making their cars look alike. It's inevitable that a lot of cars look very similar these days- there's only so much you can do with four doors and foor wheels.

audiot - 11/9/2006 1:13:06 AM

+1 Boost

You Lexus people are Aristotle when it comes to pontificating on the purity of your knock-off, which you full well know Lexus was designed to be (taking apart the Mercedes and then building one cheaper is the lore of 1989). But when you are presented with a fact, which is the pre-eminent car brand of Germany is not stealing design ideas from Japan, you pretend to not believe it. How can your rhetoric be believed when you deny the simple fact that Mercedes does not and will not copy from Japan, any more than Louis Vuitton does not steal designs from Target? And you say you want to discuss the issues and get away from personal attacks? Come now. We all went to college and understand academic integrity when we (don't) see it.

Homer008 - 11/9/2006 6:52:06 AM

+1 Boost

Germans don't copy?

Explain the nature of "why then", are Germans building a hybrid system? I don't see "Made in Germany" stamped on the previous and current hybrid systems!

Do Remember you said this: "simple fact that Mercedes does not and will not copy from Japan"

I'm waiting......

still waiting.......

Rupert - 11/9/2006 11:21:39 AM

+1 Boost

but will, i have never seen an altima in my life. i search for one right now.

it looks nothing like an s class. indeed it reminds me of the old IS.

S4cabriofox - 11/9/2006 11:42:42 PM

+1 Boost

"I see this is the excuse you put up for the S-Class looking like an Altima, but when it comes to the LS looking like a 5-Series, it's a whole different story from you and your camp."

I don't think the LS looks much like the 5, because I don't make unending comparisons like yourself.

I think the LS is relentlessly boring, but not ugly. I have never said it was ugly, inside or out. It's just not particularly good-looking.

audiot - 11/10/2006 11:37:32 AM

+1 Boost

Adding a hybrid powertrain is not "copying the Japanese" any more than adding DSG is "copying" VW. The Germans have been very honest in their lukewarm interest in hybrids, and when they do offer one, it is simply to address a customer need. If that's your besty effort at finding Germans copying Japanese, then it isn't a very strong one. More grasping at straws.

S4cabriofox - 11/8/2006 10:20:47 PM

0 Boost

I hope not. They turned the kidneys into nostrils.

Larry - 11/8/2006 10:24:59 PM

0 Boost

wow i like it a lot, BMW continues to roll, people critize BMW's designs, but the whole industry copies BMW, BMW has the courage to try something new and fresh and it has paid off with record profits, just think a small company like BMW makes more money than, VW Group, Daimerchryer, GM, Ford, and Nissan-Renault.

Larry - 11/8/2006 10:30:57 PM

0 Boost

I am not surprised that i have a different opinion than S4, I like nice cars, cars that feel special, S4cabriofox drives a A3.

S4cabriofox - 11/9/2006 11:45:46 PM

+1 Boost

I also drive an S4 Cabriolet, obviously, and it's nicer than anything you could muster, price nonwithstanding.

The A3 is the most fun I've had in a small car in years. For someone looking for 3 Series-esque sportiness in a sleek, stylish, affordable, semi-luxurious little package, it's a great choice. You must admit, the 2.0T DSG (which I own) has gotten never-ending rave reviews.

MPowerDK - 11/9/2006 2:35:24 AM

+1 Boost

I like it, it looks very hot, but the kidney grill is ofcourse to small..
I do happen to like the Z4 especially the coupe, it is so much hotter than a tt.. imo.

S4cabriofox - 11/9/2006 11:47:32 PM

+1 Boost

Old TT is girly... never saw the new one in person, obviously, so I can't vouch.

Personally, I hate the Z4 (and X3). Those are the only BMWs which I really have a distaste for. The others are different. I've always liked the way the 3 looked, and the X5. Sometimes I hate the 5 and 6, and sometimes I love them. I always like the 7 Series- I just think the A8 and S-Class are better cars.

answer - 11/9/2006 7:20:11 PM

+1 Boost

Car looks fine. Nothing special, but fine.

Paint however is horrid. What is that color supposed to be? Looks like something from a overflowing portable toilet at an Octoberfest.

M53R - 11/10/2006 6:17:02 AM

+1 Boost

I like this phtoshop. It has everything i need in a car; monserous, aggressive and cool. Build this plz but with larger grills.