May Update II : The Ultimate Dream Machine : BMW Z Spyder Stradale


SCOTT27

Drift Dynamo
The Ultimate Dream Machine
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BMW "Z" Spyder Stradale

Now that BMW have commenced the current priority Project-i initiative in developing new concepts for sustainable mobility , now attention turns to the Premium segment , especially where high end luxury is concerned.

With a burgeoning premium compact sector to contend with also BMW are again returning to their previous strategy is bring exciting new premium concepts to the market.
If we look at what was then and scheduled before the world's economy took a turn for the worst there was several projects all in different levels of excitement in development or evaluation.
Just as we have seen the Gran Coupe arise like a Phoenix from the flames of the Concept CS http://www.germancarforum.com/scott27s-info-channel/30049-phoenix-rising-possibly.html . Another project is about to complete it's Lazarus moment .

Norbert Reithofer's "Dream Project"
BMW "Z" Spyder Stradale.

Originally put forward in 2005 when Norbert Reithofer took the reigns of the BMW Group as a highly emotive dream project that embodies the epitome of BMW's values , premium luxury , forward thinking design and great driving dynamics. Two years of feasibility studies and development of ideas came to a close when the economy went into meltdown.

Why not a Roadster?

The term Spyder Stradale is a concept not unknown to BMW , a streamlined version of the 328MM was termed as the Spyder Stradale.
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BMW 328 MM Spyder Stradale

With BMW's apparent use for currently using such grand emotive terms for their new concepts for example "Gran Turismo" and soon "Gran Coupe" and "Shooting Brake" to describe a luxurious way to travel. BMW seem keen on resurrecting the term "Spyder Stradale" for it's new premium high end Sport's car.
With BMW's attention on making such exciting projects that will spawn from the upcoming next generation BMW 1er . They are keen to spread this across to the premium segment , Gran Coupe is one such concept . Spyder Stradale will be another.
BMW see the Spyder Stradale as a car to eject more emotion into the BMW brand at the upper end of the luxury segment in a specific class BMW are well inversed in , some to great success, some to not so great success.

The idea for the Spyder Stradale takes off from the original BMW California Spyder Project, a low driving position , set back towards the rear axle with a heavily raked screen and long hood and short rear overhang.
Form and function is equally important and there is evaluation to present the car when the customer opens the door.
It could be like a scissor style ( a bit too common) , Conventional (never fails) or indeed rear hinged (too Rolls-Royce?)

The return of the Spyder is due in turn to BMW preparing for it's future and without Project-i Spyder Stradale would not exist.
The key is BMW's joint venture with SGL Carbon which will produce components and panels for the mega city vehicles and eventually spread to other BMW models. With the Spyder Stradale being one of the beneficiaries. Because this joint venture is going to be highly cost effective for BMW that future cars will see more mainstream approaches to using carbon fibre in reducing weight in some of today's concepts, tomorrow.

The Spyder Stradale takes off where the Z8 left and retains an aluminium structure , the front of the car will be a mix of steel , aluminium and magnesium. For the passenger area there is an addition of a carbon fibre tub that will be bonded on the aluminium floorplan. The rear cross frames will also be carbon fibre with the rear suspension a mix of aluminium , magnesium and steel.
The original idea of a folding Hardtop is retained with it's two piece folding top being constructed of carbon fibre. The door skins and bonnet will be aluminium with reinforced plastic being used for the front wings and rear bootlid.

Design elements are still in the gestation period but expect a very sport , animalistic front end with signature indicators ( a feature of all up and coming BMW Coupe's and Roadster's) underneath the mainlight units which will be smaller thanks to the latest developments in LED technology.

Efficient Dynamics is never forgetten when we conceive a new BMW and Spyder Stradale is no different. The usual expectations of Stop-Start technology , Brake energy regeneration etc will all be there. But the design of the car will use the same approach as taken with the Vision Efficient Dynamics and use an advanced aerodynamic approach in it's surface treatment. Another up and coming term which will be coming soon is Active Aerodynamics. In the Spyder Stradale because the larger kidney grille allows air into the engine , a smaller scoop underneath the licence plate in the centre conceals a movable front spoiler that moves in direction of airflow. At the rear of the car for the first time in a BMW we will see a Pop-Up Aerodynamic aid which will lift up and then slide out , an additional lip on the top of the spoiler also raises for extra downforce.

The interior is being seen as " An environment that is free of complications or distractions" lightweight bucket seats with a hooded collar can be covered in leather or a range of sustainable materials , Sharkskin is looking to be an unconventional choice in a search for a new luxury.
The dash of the car lives up to the above comment as it is very minimalsitic , larger airvents are removed in place of thin strips across the dash , Z4 like metallic knobs face the drive in the centre of the dash with the dash being more raked at an angle , a central screen sits in the top end for the iDrive control . Entertainment and navigation functions are hidden from view in which could only decribe the dash as minimalistic.

Another factor in the Spyder Stradale's cost effectiveness is the sharing of the backbone and major components from the matrix that spawns the 5,6 and 7 series. The Spyder Stradale could also form the basis of a Two seater Rolls-Royce Roadster in which customers have asked for something more "Intimate" than a Drophead Coupe.

Sustainable drive trains could feature within the Spyder Stradale as a susbstitute for conventional petrol choices. A Mild or Full Hybrid could be offered with the electric motors being placed alongside the transmission ,as can a variation on BMW's upcoming Hydrogen fuel cell technology. Petrol engines could retain a high performance V8 or indeed a V10 study that BMW considered for the next M5 which would release more than 600 PS, this could either be mated to a conventional automatic transmission or a future 9 speed double clutch transmission.

Since the project has recently got underway and the excitement of such a concept is filling the corridors with excitement it is possible the "Vision" designation could be attatched to this concept , possibly to embody it's German ancestory and debut at next year's IAA in Frankfurt.
A Production car would not arrive until 2014.

What's in a name? The usual suspects have been identified such as Z6 , Z8 , Z9 or even Z10, But the Spyder Stradale designation will remain all it needs is a figure.

There is still plenty of time to Dream.
 
The Spyder Stradale takes off where the Z8 left and retains an aluminium structure , the front of the car will be a mix of steel , aluminium and magnesium. For the passenger area there is an addition of a carbon fibre tub that will be bonded on the aluminium floorplan. The rear cross frames will also be carbon fibre with the rear suspension a mix of aluminium , magnesium and steel.
The original idea of a folding Hardtop is retained with it's two piece folding top being constructed of carbon fibre. The door skins and bonnet will be aluminium with reinforced plastic being used for the front wings and rear bootlid.

This sounds light. Combined with the mentioned 5-600 hp (and, of course, no electric engines) it has everything going for it...
 
This sounds light. Combined with the mentioned 5-600 hp (and, of course, no electric engines) it has everything going for it...


Everything above 1400 kg will be a letdown....
...just to put some pressure on things, but a fair bit lighter than the GTS is a must imho.


This is an old drawing, but I think it's from BMW themselves, and it's about this very Z Spyder Stradale:

 
Nothing about performance? What kind of numbers can we expect?

Everything about performance currently is relatively unknown because the project re-started last week. We were told at a high profile unveiling that " The dream is going to become a reality".

I just love the name it's absolutely perfect. ;)
 
Z Spyder Stradale doesn't sound awefully German though. But it does sound sporty and lightweight, just by name ;)
 
Is this car going to be Mercedes SLS AMG, Porsche 911, Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 458 Italia, Chevrolet Corvette and McLaren MP4-12C rival?

Scott, I just wanted to know, shall we get some other pics of M3 GTS? I would like some other M3 GTS wallpapers please.
 
Mind Audi R10 and a Mercedes super car above the SLS will probably come, so maybe this new BMW will compete againt them.
 
It was one crazy idea I must add. :D

The BMW California Spyder Concept has been developed with Los Angeles in mind. It is both loyal to BMW values of pure driving dynamics, and it provides the luxury and presence to feel at home in Hollywood, Malibu or in the curves of your favorite mountain road.

The CSC's folding carbon-fiber top provides all the safety and protection of a hardtop while still delivering open-air driving at the push of a button. This is the car for the professional who places more importance on pure driving than on simple comfort. The California Spyder's V-10 is the exact engine used in the BMW F1 car. With more than 700 hp revving up to 17,000 rpm, it has the power to compete with anyone.

BMW Group DesignworksUSA California Spyder - Automobile Magazine
 
I don't think it exists, they are probably just describing the concept/idea. ;) But I hope it does. :eusa_pray:D
 
I´ve been told this car is gonna be part of the M program and it´s gonna be seen in the circuit aswel, it will be a very extreme car. A super Z4 with some design cues of the VED?. It will be epic.

SCOTT, wich car does BMW aim to compete against with this new beast?.
 
I only got the brief last week at the announcement.
so far all that is announced is that it is a BMW and according to the marketing brief - "be true to classic BMW values and be an alternative direction to achieve sustainability". They are specific about BMW and do not mention the M Division.

You have to remember the Vision Efficient Dynamics is a BMW not a BMW M and when they release a production version of the car it wont be an M it will remain a BMW they are pretty admant about that because it will be a carbon copy of the concept right down to the drivetrain.
BMW want something that will really grab the headlines in that segment.

The dimensions point to a car shorter and lower than a Z8 , with a specific weight target. As for racing if the sketches are anything to go by I do not think it will hit the track , it looks to exotic for that.
There is some carryover design ideas from the Vision Efficient Dynamics such as the way the wheelarches form into the hood , which will also be seen on the Z2 but relatively it is a reskinned California Spyder which made it to the 1:1 model stage back in 2005 @ Designworks.

I dont know about official rivals at a guess It's real competition would be the SLS AMG and next year's SLS AMG Roadster. I do not think Z Spyder Stradale will get a Coupe remaining only a folding hardtop.
 
You have to remember the Vision Efficient Dynamics is a BMW not a BMW M and when they release a production version of the car it wont be an M it will remain a BMW they are pretty admant about that because it will be a carbon copy of the concept right down to the drivetrain.
BMW want something that will really grab the headlines in that segment.
I need to quote this, T. Look everybody, SCOTT said "when they release", not "if they release." :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap


Best regards,
south
 

BMW

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.

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