[wdb]

Why can't anyone design a car these days without slathering it in needless sight lines.

[supra93]

We are, of course, kidding, but, judging by the aggressive winglets on the sides of the front apron, the German engineers are serious about the aero package of the upcoming roadster.

And while the aero elements might not make it into production, you can expect the 2018 BMW Z4 to be one hell of a handler - remember how agile the Z3 was? Well, we could see that spirit making a comeback.

As you can see, the newcomer will leave the folding metallic top of the Z4 behind, with its canvas roof being a nod to the Z3.

Since BMW has recently increased the perceived quality of its cabins, you can expect the Z4 to deliver a noticeable boost in this area.

The Bavarian automotive producer will introduce the Z4 with at least two engines, but while previous estimates talked about a 252 hp turbo-four and a just-as-turbocharged inline-six, we could also expect the heart of the 2019 M140i successor to find its way under the hood of this roadster.

The rumor mill talks about the German engineers working on an even spicier incarnation of the B48 2.0-liter unit, which should deliver about 320 horses.

Speaking of the motor, the 2018 BMW Z4 prototype shown here has an aggressive soundtrack, as you'll be able to notice in the piece of Green Hell spy footage at the bottom of the page.

The 2018 BMW Z4, along with its Toyota Supra fixed-roof sibling (here are some spyshots of the fitth-gen Supra), are expected to make their debut by the end of the year. The Frankfurt Motor Show, which takes place in September is a likely venue for the introduction of the sportscars.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...e-119046.html#

[supra93]

Those beefy canards are unlikely to end up on the production model.

While the “Z4” moniker will likely live on, the roadster is going through some major changes for its next generation. For starters, the hardtop will make way for a fabric roof like its Z3 ancestor had, as a way to shave off weight and free up space in the trunk. The rear-wheel drive sports car is being developed with Toyota and is expected to feature a hybrid powertrain for the first time in its existence.

BMW was seen the other day testing a prototype on a damp Nürburgring, and by the looks of it, focus was on aerodynamics as the car had a pair of large winglets on each side of the front bumper. We can’t help but notice something was going on with the rear wheel arches as well judging by those add-on pieces.

The adjacent video also allows us to hear the raspy soundtrack, though it’s not known what type of engine produces that music to our ears. For what it’s worth, a previous prototype had a turbocharged 2.0-litre belonging to what will be the Z4 S20i with an output of around 200 horsepower. Stronger versions will be blessed with larger six-cylinder units and should pump out in excess of 300 horsepower. Rumour has it the electrified version benefitting from Toyota’s hybrid know-how will be reserved to the range-topping model.

BMW hasn’t said a word about when it will unveil the all-new Z4, but a concept will supposedly be shown as early as next month at the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance. In 2018, Toyota’s equivalent version will make its debut and it might bring back the beloved “Supra” nameplate for what will be sold strictly as a coupe. Aside from sharing most of the hardware components, the two are also bound to be built in the same place, at Magna Steyr’s factory in Austria.

https://ca.motor1.com/news/152764/20...pied-winglets/

[NickyC]

This thing is just in no way shaping up to be what I thought the next generation Supra would be. The 90s really were the glory days for JDM. Oh well, here's hoping the 25 year import ban ending on some 93 Supras next year brings us some fine MKIV examples to the US.

[angelr]

Originally Posted by NickyC

This thing is just in no way shaping up to be what I thought the next generation Supra would be. The 90s really were the glory days for JDM. Oh well, here's hoping the 25 year import ban ending on some 93 Supras next year brings us some fine MKIV examples to the US.

rhd, f that. I used to hate when the jdm kiddies would tell me how I should sell my US spec supra so I could drive a rhd car...you know, because jdm. But yeah, I guess rhd is better than no supra.

[supra93]

Toyota's version sounds meaner.

[MalibuBimmer]

BMW can't reveal the new Z4 until it buys the hundreds of thousands of words that the bloviators will put into the press release. For every picture there will be ten thousand words describing what you saw. Because that's how BMW does it.

[supra93]

Slightly better spy shots.

[wdb]

I don't think the body, lights, etc. under that camo is the actual car. The chassis, yes. The rest is just another layer of camo.

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Still no sign of a Z4M to date. I think we won't be getting it..again. Shame, I had hope that we would.

[supra93]

More spy shots.

[NickyC]

Originally Posted by AKRAPOVICOWNS

Still no sign of a Z4M to date. I think we won't be getting it..again. Shame, I had hope that we would.

I've owned three Z3Ms and I'm on my second Z4M now, I skipped the latest generation for this very reason. I sincerely hope they make a new Z4M!

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by NickyC

I've owned three Z3Ms and I'm on my second Z4M now, I skipped the latest generation for this very reason. I sincerely hope they make a new Z4M!

For the time being there will be the Z4 M.Performance.
I am not optimistic about a Z4 M. That market has and continues to shrink.

[supra93]

Really good spy shots.

[jezza1520]

nice!

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

For the time being there will be the Z4 M.Performance.
I am not optimistic about a Z4 M. That market has and continues to shrink.

I think it will depend on what kind of tech the z4 is made of.
If its mostly toyota undercarriage/driveline and an LSD and floating discs are not possible a z4m is out of the question.
Thats also the reason why no e89 z4m came. They opted for x83 tech on the rear axle so there was no lsd available anymore within the available bmw parts bin.
Lets hope that the japanese tradition of fitting LSD's in the more sportier cars is continued on this platform. But if a transaxle is fitted like the picture shown before in this topic (which I doubt, that shown transaxle box looked way way to expensive for a car in this class), bmw wont be fiddeling around with upgrades as that was certainly not bmw/bmw OEM tech...(so then its up to toyota if performance upgrades will be available)

[Jason]

Update: July 18, 2017

The latest G29 Z4 prototype spotted today testing on the Nurburgring is now wearing less camouflage than ever, revealing much of its front end design and shape.

BMW G29 Z4 Prototype Drops Some Camouflage

[NickyC]

I wish they'd drop the doggone camo already (thanks to all who are posting the pictures though and keeping this thread updated). After this weekend, there are officially ZERO cars I'm interested in past my Z4M Roadster. I went and sat in an Alfa Romeo 4C Spider this weekend just to see if I could fit in the thing, and a big hell no there. I'm 6'4" and weigh around 245lbs, and I could barely even GET into the thing, let alone sit in it. My knees were smashed into the dashboard, my head was in the ceiling, and the line of sight was horrible. I was staring almost directly straight ahead into the windshield frame. It was real fun getting out of the car with like three sales people laughing at me and of course mentioning the movie "The Incredibles". Very, very disappointing as it's a gorgeous car and that carbon fiber tub is just awesome to look at.

This new Z4 or Z5 or whatever is about my only hope for another nice Roadster coming out anytime soon. I'm really curious to see what it the final product looks like.

[BMWZ4]

My '11 had more style than this...snore...

[alex2364]

Aren't they calling this Z5?

[supra93]

I wish the new spy shots were higher quality :/

[secretanchitman]

Will it come with 6MT? If so, great!