From Z2 - Z10 - BMW's premium strategy for dynamic sports cars.

LOL

To sort of answer your question though, BMW is known for making roadsters with the classical roadster proportions, unlike Porsche with the Boxter and the typical mid/rear engine proportions.
But a 'true' roadster has RWD, a long hood, the engine in the front and a short rear deck.
A possible Z2 or Z3 becoming shorter and smaller than the current Z4 is logical, but I do expect to see classical long hood, low seating and overall typical roadster elements back again if they decide tou build it....

To answer your question? The economic crisis changed not only BMW's plans but other manufacturers aswell. We always intend to build a Z2 but this will come off the new modular platform that we will see in next years 1 series. Whilst others indulged... BMW invested and that is why BMW remian the Worlds no1 Premium manufacturer and also the Worlds no1 for manufacturer for the highest level of efficiency in lowering it's fleets c 02 output. The new 1 series will be the beginning of a new era for BMW as the 1er moves into increase it's profit margin with a portfolio of exciting new products under the 1er.

The first of which is the BMW X1 in which we have reached 70,000 units since it's November 2009 launch. BMW strategists are estimating that come November the 100,000 unit will hopefully be reached.
To say the X1 came at the right time is a fair conclusion.

What is BMW's plan with the Z2? It is very much one of excitement for the company because it is introducing a synergy with their Motorrad Division.
The Audi/VW/SKoda/Seat and Porsche will be identified by one vehicle with the same mechanicals but a different front and rear "Brand" facia , maybe Porsche might fit a unique body but industry word says no.

Z2 is all about Lightweight and the ability to tap into our own resources.
In the past year the project has really picked up pace and it is in thanks to the MINI Coupe and Roadster. The reaction to these two models since their introduction a year ago has been outstanding , We even feel that the MINI Coupe has the potential to go as viral as the BMW 1M .

Anyway the response got people thinking in effect how BMW can benefit with a similar concept but based off the profitable 1er and 3er structure.
The key to understand the philosophy for the Z Twins is that BMW are intent on making them at a specific target weight and use a synergy between the car division and BMW Motorrad.

It will use some of the protocols from Project-i , the body will be aluminium and mixed with reinforced plastic for the body panels. BMW’s target weight is 1000KG that is the desired ceiling for this model and the synergy from Motorrad will provide the car division the ability to reach it’s target.
Z2 originally scheduled to forgo six cylinders for four , But BMW are now evaluating on two engine choices including a specially adapted three cylinder engine for the car. The specific output however will be unique to the car.
Another option is BMW have developed an inline six for Motorrad that engineers have tested within a tubular frame and modular chassis.
Electric Power will also be available as an alternative drive train coupled to a range extended engine - again the compact nature of the drive train might incorporate a bike engine backed up by electric motors.

The synergy with BMW Motorrad is significant because the engineers have been extensively adapting technology from Motorrad for use in a car.
Reason being that some of the components are smaller and incredibly lightweight. They have built and tested a chassis using components from Motorrad and the results have been very impressive, not to mention the reduction in weight.

This synergy is extra exciting because it is one of a kind. Mercedes nor Audi have such resources unless they go and purchase a bike company. Which gives BMW an advantage in a new interpretation of a small lightweight concept exciting sports car. The same idea could be carried over to the next generation of MINI Sports cars.

The reason why the 1er is one of our principle strategies is because during the recession we learned that customers are willing to downsize as long as they share the same bodystyle, technology and luxuries . Which is why the new 1er will launch with so much innovation unheard of for a car of this segment and even a BMW. This stresses the importance of the segment because it is one that is expected to show more growth than any other segment over the next decade.

Growth that BMW have paid attention to since the last few years.
As of the "Top" Roadster BMW have commissioned it's design studios to work on proposals for the range topping Z "Spyder Stradale".

Things changed, the world economy tanked. We get it SCOTT27, please spare us the "another negative comment" routine, that's the old SCOTT's MO. And it's quite stale.

I actually didn't take Scott's comments as negative. I took them more as BMW's perception of its advantages relative to its competition.

And thank you Scott for your comments and perspective.

I see what you're saying, but Scott's comments CAN be very informative and they're the posts I love. The new Scott has definitely improved things in that respect. However, the opening paragraph is an example of what I find irritating. I'm on a forum to discuss and share views with other car fans. What I don't want is to be constantly bombarded with thinly veiled marketing rhetoric and read what feels like a press release. I love BMW but it seems that everything they do is perfect and is much better than the competition and also more innovative, which is clearly not the case. Where as some of the stuff being said may be true, to be continuously told this is quite tiresome.

But, credit where credit is due. Some of Scott's info recently has been very good.

Ditto! :t-cheers:

IMO I am confident that BMW will follow the direction you indicated klier. Seeing more and more F10 5er's and looking at my own X1, the classical elongated bonnet and short boot lid / hind quarters are even more evident than ever before, not even mentioning the Z4.
Sticking with the typical roadster theme as you described is an absolute MUST

yeah, i'm sure that you're right about the proportions; they've said as much; but at least it'll be just z3 size and no doubt a fun ride. btw, given the motorad influence, do you think that you'll regularly be doin' wheelies(on 2 wheels of course)?

Agree Betty, but it appears he removed the part I was referring to before you read it, "another negative comment" was in the very beginning of his original post, and it was very old-SCOTT-like in my view.

The latest Autobild showcases the forthcoming Z2 and also gives a preview of the next Z4. However next Z4 is going through the motions as we speak so it is too early to discuss overall design details.

Bilder aus AUTO BILD 17/2011 - Bilder - autobild.de

But are they right interpreting the VED concept as a preview of the ideas that could be present on the new Z4?.

Not a big fan of the hood shutline or the inverted kidneys on the Z2. :emthdown:

They are still going through the design stages of the next Z4, even I do not know what direction it will take?

What is surprising is how in real life the Vision Connected drive is actually lower and longer than the initial proposed Z2 by the media.

Again it comes back to something that was being discussed for M , actually a completely bespoke M model without a BMW sibling.
Think of the model of the Porsche Cayman and Boxster. Small and very enthusiast driven. Of course it is something being discussed it is no way confirmed or green-lit due to the incoming "regime change" but it is something that has been openly discussed throughout the years.

If you remember that Autobild 25th Anniversary issue?
That Coupe esque model using the elements from the Vision Connected Drive , but was not the Vision Connected Drive with a roof. Was something that was designed for a pupose and for evaluation.

As I said the only things being discussed is using the new highly profitable modular 1/3er Matrix which also allows for engine placement either mounted within the front , rear or in the middle.
As I said it is a jigsaw slowly being put together and the project will be presented for proposal when we have a feasible and cost effective strategy.
We do not know what kind of material will be used for the body neither what engine or drivetrain because we are still in the early planning stages.

The brief is to build a "young car". When you look at for new M customers , M entry is either through the pre-owned market via an E36 or E46. The new 1M Coupe when you think of that in a few years is going to be one hell of an entry to the M brand for new customers.

The idea is to build on the excitement of accessible enthusiasts cars and further the adaption of M to increasing Global markets.
In China for example at the M5 VIP preview, the age demographic was very much different compared to the M5 preview in Europe. in China M is seen as young brand , the overall majority of M customers are younger than M Customers in Europe or the USA. Although there are pockets of younger M enthusiasts in other parts of the world they are not the overall majority demographic.

By 2015 sales of luxury Premium cars are set to hit 1.6 Million units in China. And given BMW's ambitious two million cars globally by 2020 such a product could be rewarding in more ways than one.

So ot would be something small, light, and competing with the Cayman R? I guess a 70K € sportcar in the way you say would be a huge success for BMW, and at least it won´t be an R8, SLS rival, but something different, more BMW.

Exactly which is why for some, entry to the M brand is via a second or fourth used E36 and E46.

Their first M and their first experience of M. To keep that momentum and to keep customers coming back we do offer comprehensive service packages for older M models and that is one part of our initiative to grow the brand.

If you keep the ownership priviledge special then the customer will return.
In a few years you will have current M's such as the M3 or even the recently announced 1M Coupe as entry models for young enthusiasts.
And the E36 and E46 will become more accessible.

What we have learned is that an typical M enthusiast starts from the bottom and works their way to the top. And even some take their first M from the pre-owned market before graduating eventually to a new M.

Then we have something like the BMW M1, a vehicle with the BMW brand but that does not correspond to any existing bmw series.

That would be something worth seeing,
by the way I love the inverted kidneys on the Z2

Very true. In London the E46 M3 is as popular as it was when it was just launched. Although the insurance premiums are high, it's relatively cheap to buy compared with the E92 M3. I'm even looking into one for possibly next year when I've passed the 25 age mark and will enjoy lower premiums.

^ E46 M3 will look good on you!!

I will own one too one day. A facelift coupe (with LED backlights) and CSL rims. Forever perfect.

Here would be a update nice SCOTT, too.