Z Series New 2015 BMW Z4 to land in January, M version planned.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

New details have emerged on BMW’s next-generation Z4 sports car. Set to take on German rivals like the Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Boxster, BMW’s facelifted Z4 is expected to make its world debut at the 2013 Detroit auto show.
Although the exterior and interior styling of the two-seater won’t be radically different from the current car, the next-generation Z4 will set itself apart from the car it replaces by offering sportier and more agile handling. This will enable it to better compete against other German two-seaters such as the Porsche Boxster.
Part of the increased agility will come from utilizing the downsized turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is found under the hood of the current model. It makes less power than a bigger displacement straight-six would but it is also much lighter, giving the car a more balanced weight distribution.
However, BMW isn’t completely giving up on raw power as Autocar reports that the next-generation Z4 will sprout an M performance model. A new Z4 M35i model will reportedly replace the Z4′s current top offering, the Z4 sDrive35iS. The Z4 M35i will come fitted with the same basic 335 horsepower 3.0L turbocharged inline-six as the M135i, with the exception of a more aggressive exhaust system.
A Z4 sDrive35i should also be in the lineup, boasting a 316 horsepower versions of BMW’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine.
The current E89 Z4, the last-generation E85 Z4 and the Z3 before it have all been characterized by their long hood. A BMW insider quoted by Inside Line claims that the upcoming roadster will lose that hood to a certain extent. The company wants to trim it down a little, but not too much in order to avoid alienating the car’s current clientele.
It remains unknown if BMW will keep the Z4 name for the next version of the car or rename it the Z5 to make room for a smaller roadster.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-z4-2015.html

 

[Zafiro]

Its not a true M though. Just a Z4 like M135i.

 

[ACE]

The Z4 M35i will come fitted with the same basic 335 horsepower 3.0L turbocharged inline-six as the M135i

335hp in the M135i? Leftlanenews, where did you get that from?

 

[Levi68]

Next BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra to Ride on Beefed Up Toyota 86 Platform?

BMW and Toyota recently inked a deal to partner on fuel cell, sports car, and lightweight Technology, which should see synergies in engineering and development.

In a report about the Toyota Supra successor, Motor Trend suggests that the agreement will form the backbone to the development of both the new Supra and the next Z4. They speculate that both sports cars will ride on a revised and beefed up version of the Toyota 86 (AKA GT86, FR-S, BRZ) platform.

Should this rumor prove true, and with the Toyota 86 receiving much critical acclaim for its handling and being a true driver's car, this will hopefully result in a much more dynamic handling successor Z4 than the current E89 Z4.

As for the next Z4's powerplant, MT's source says that BMW is testing a BMW-built V6 hybrid motor which would deliver similar power to the new Supra - speculated to be 400+ HP (from a turbocharged 2.5L inline 4 cylinder hybrid or a mid-mounted 3.5L V6 hybrid).

BMW is also said to be helping with the development of the Supra's suspension settings and handling properties.

The next Z4 is expected 2015-2016 and the new Supra comes in 2017.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Oh my, I hope our dear friend who recently sold his E-class and bought a BMW 5 series gets to read this.

 

[Smithee]

Oh my, I hope our dear friend who recently sold his E-class and bought a BMW 5 series gets to read this.

This individual said that the minute he finds out that BMW is sharing a chassis with Toyota, he will sell his F10.

Can we please have him back, moderators please revoke his ban, it would be priceless to read his reaction to this news.

 

[Huckfeldt]

Seriously ? No BMW fanboy comment on the V6 ?? Read : VEEEEE SIXXXXX

 

[Mr Robert]

Ah, this will be great! A V6 Boyota (branded towards a younger and less girly demo), sounds sexy as hell

 

[Levi68]

The V6? It already exists, it is built by BMW M and could have been found in the up-coming BMW M3/M4.

What is the issue with a Toyota platform? BMW doesn't have anything as good as the LFA or the GT86 platform, as a base for sportscars.

Anyway this article is not clear, and unless any official statement are made by any company, nothing will be known for sure.

1. We do not know where will the Supra be positionned. The RC (LC-CC) is clear, but what about the LC-LF? Is it an SC? A baby-LFA? An LS Coupé? What is the "Supra"? A Lexus or a Toyota?

2. We do not know what will be the sportscar BMW and Toyota will develop together. Will the BMW really be a Z4 or rather an M Four (think i4)?

3. Would a V6 make sense? Yes, only if the car will be mid-rear engined like the i8. Remember, the i8 has a MRM-T layout. You can't fit any bigger engine than V6 in there without highly increasing costs. i4 is a supposed to be a two seater version of the i8.

4. Will the Supra really be mid-rear powered? So it cant be based on ZN6 platform.


For me the article is a mix of many discussions, if did hear myself what they were talking about so I can't figure out what was really meant.

 

[bmwownage]

Come on the old Supra was rivaling Porsche, what a legend that was honestly, would smoke the Z3 (any version). If its successor will be as great as its predecessor, it's going to be another legend. Not like the Z4 will be having a chassis directly bought from Toyota, it's a joint thing... but then of course, if you tell me the next 3 series is to share a Toyota Camry chassis, that would suck, right? we are now talking about collaboration between the pinnacle of Jap engineering, to be used on a normal BMW roadster.
I'm sure, the resources they have to spend on these cars, is probably much more than German cars.. their other core models like Yaris, Corolla Camry Will Rav4 whatever, doesn't need a lot of development or testing at all comparably, but the Germans track test, cold test, heat test, everything test every single of their model, so what i see from this is that it will benefit BMW, using half the time to develop a chassis twice as good.. analogy.

 

[Human]

If this actually happens, BMW may as well go F-themselves

And then...ja, poor K-A

 

[LaArtist]

Lol