Spy Video of 2010 BMW Z4
More Photos and Video
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We've already seen the 2010 BMW Z4 on the streets of Munich and on the Nürburgring, but now we've managed to snag some footage of the upcoming roadster during final cold-weather testing in the Arctic Circle. From low-speed testing on the city streets to higher-speed action on a frozen lake, the engineers at BMW are throwing everything they have at the next-generation 2010 BMW Z4.
Like previous prototypes of the 2010 BMW Z4 that we've seen, these cold-weather test mules appear to have a traditional soft top. Don't believe it, as we suspect it's nothing but clever camouflage designed to hide the fact that the 2010 BMW Z4 is switching to a folding hardtop.
BMW made a similar switch with the 3 Series convertible last year, so it's not much of a stretch to predict the Z4's new setup. It's more than just a prediction, however, as the cut lines at the rear of the car are similar to those found on the back of the 3 Series convertible. The hardtop conversion would also help the Z4 match up more competitively with the Mercedes-Benz SLK, which has featured a retractable hardtop since its debut in 1998.
And like the latest 3 Series convertible, the next-generation 2010 BMW Z4 will get a big boost in power compared to its predecessor thanks to the installation of BMW's latest inline-6. Expect to see a standard 3.0-liter with 230 horsepower, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 with 300 hp. This new Z4 will need the extra power, as its overall size is expected to expand an inch or two in most dimensions.
Unlike the current Z4, which is built at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the new 2010 BMW Z4 will be built in Regensburg, Germany, starting in late 2009.
Like previous prototypes of the 2010 BMW Z4 that we've seen, these cold-weather test mules appear to have a traditional soft top. Don't believe it, as we suspect it's nothing but clever camouflage designed to hide the fact that the 2010 BMW Z4 is switching to a folding hardtop.
BMW made a similar switch with the 3 Series convertible last year, so it's not much of a stretch to predict the Z4's new setup. It's more than just a prediction, however, as the cut lines at the rear of the car are similar to those found on the back of the 3 Series convertible. The hardtop conversion would also help the Z4 match up more competitively with the Mercedes-Benz SLK, which has featured a retractable hardtop since its debut in 1998.
And like the latest 3 Series convertible, the next-generation 2010 BMW Z4 will get a big boost in power compared to its predecessor thanks to the installation of BMW's latest inline-6. Expect to see a standard 3.0-liter with 230 horsepower, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 with 300 hp. This new Z4 will need the extra power, as its overall size is expected to expand an inch or two in most dimensions.
Unlike the current Z4, which is built at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the new 2010 BMW Z4 will be built in Regensburg, Germany, starting in late 2009.
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At first glance this BMW prototype looks like the upcoming Z9 SL-fighter, but look closer and the details suggest this is the 2009 BMW Z4 instead. Caught just weeks ago in the cold of the Arctic, our latest footage shows the BMW roadster with its top down on the streets of Munich.
A larger size was one reason why this prototype looked like it might be the Z9. When our spies got a little closer, however, it was clear that much of this prototype's girth was the result of clever camouflage. Plastic body panels covered nearly every inch of the car, and most of them were several inches higher than the actual sheet metal. That said, the next-generation Z4 will probably grow in an inch or two in most major dimensions to open up more interior and cargo space. Rumors of a smaller Z2 roadster based on the 1 Series chassis make the Z4's expanding size seem even more plausible.
Although early photos of Z4 prototypes suggested the use of a hardtop similar to BMW's latest 3 Series cabriolet, our latest photos point to a more traditional soft top instead. Cloth seats were also visible, another indication that this was no Z9 flagship. Interior design details were hidden from view by camouflage, but the prototype did appear to have a navigation screen mounted on the dash like the current model.
Expect to see BMW's latest range of 3.0-liter straight sixes under the hood along with the usual mix of manual and automatic transmissions. BMW is said to have a twin clutch gearbox in the works, but we doubt this is the car it will go into first. With up to 300 horsepower from the top-of-the-line twin-turbo model, the 2009 Z4 should easily outrun Porsche's latest Boxster.
Look for the 2009 BMW Z4 to make an official debut early next year with sales in the U.S. starting by the fall of 2008.
A larger size was one reason why this prototype looked like it might be the Z9. When our spies got a little closer, however, it was clear that much of this prototype's girth was the result of clever camouflage. Plastic body panels covered nearly every inch of the car, and most of them were several inches higher than the actual sheet metal. That said, the next-generation Z4 will probably grow in an inch or two in most major dimensions to open up more interior and cargo space. Rumors of a smaller Z2 roadster based on the 1 Series chassis make the Z4's expanding size seem even more plausible.
Although early photos of Z4 prototypes suggested the use of a hardtop similar to BMW's latest 3 Series cabriolet, our latest photos point to a more traditional soft top instead. Cloth seats were also visible, another indication that this was no Z9 flagship. Interior design details were hidden from view by camouflage, but the prototype did appear to have a navigation screen mounted on the dash like the current model.
Expect to see BMW's latest range of 3.0-liter straight sixes under the hood along with the usual mix of manual and automatic transmissions. BMW is said to have a twin clutch gearbox in the works, but we doubt this is the car it will go into first. With up to 300 horsepower from the top-of-the-line twin-turbo model, the 2009 Z4 should easily outrun Porsche's latest Boxster.
Look for the 2009 BMW Z4 to make an official debut early next year with sales in the U.S. starting by the fall of 2008.
Source: Edmunds.com