Here comes another gorgeous BMW.
Social media is fast becoming the medium of choice for manufacturers to show off their very latest wares, building attention and hype in such a way that it crescendos during the actual reveal. BMW is one of those manufacturers, with teaser images of the new Z4 Concept shown off in all its topless glory ahead of its official debut at this years’ Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Judging by the images (look at those headlights), there will be a degree of watering down before this car sees production as a Z4 roadster that we’ll find in showrooms. The design is reminiscent of the BMW Gina concept from almost a decade ago, though thankfully bereft of the alien-like skin that car wore (which still gives this writer the creeps).
The new Z4 signifies one of BMW’s most daunting model pushes, with the new Z4 developed in conjunction with Toyota, who will manufacture a fixed-roof Supra sports car from the same platform (and likely the same engines). The production Z4 will gain a conventional folding soft-top, a point of differentiation from both the current-generation model as well as its fellow German contemporary, the Mercedes-Benz SLC.
When it reaches production in 2018, the Z4 will be produced in BMW’s plant in Magna, Austria, alongside the Toyota variant of the platform. It’s said that the Z4 name will be retained into the new generation as it fits better with the new naming convention that BMW has adopted, using even numbers to denote its performance models (and MPVs, if they’ve forgotten). The Z4 will roll off production lines some three months after the revival of the 8-Series coupé, also due next year and previewed with its own concept car.
*BMW Concept 8-Series
The concept Z4 will be unveiled in all its glory on the 16th of August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and you can stay tuned to CarShowroom as we bring you more updates as they come.
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