Reports suggest that BMW is planning to soon expand its Z-series lineup to include 6 Series-based coupé and roadster sports cars powered by a selection of straight six, V8 and V10 powerplants.
Reports suggest that BMW is planning to soon expand its Z-series lineup to include 6 Series-based coupé and roadster sports cars powered by a selection of straight six, V8 and V10 powerplants.
German magazine last week speculated that the Munich-based manufacturer was developing a rival to Mercedes-Benz’s SL lineup and that the car could be badged Z6, Z8 or Z10.
Then reported that there was “at least one full-size model”, which had been “already developed to an advanced stage”, at BMW’s research and development centre, but that the final design not been finalised. The prospective sports car might form part of a three-pronged Z-car lineup, including an entry-level Z2, the report claims, and a successor to the current Z4, which recently received a facelift.
BMW’s seminal Z1 was built from 1988 to 1991 (only in left-hand drive and featured doors that dropped into the sill), the popular but much-maligned Z3 followed in 1995 and was replaced by the Z4 in 2003.
The next Z car will apparently be built in Germany, showcase some of BMW’s latest innovations and is said to enjoy strong support from the company’s board.
The new Z will be approximately the same size as the existing 6 Series and share some mechanical components from the latter and 5 Series saloon. Whereas the 6 Series was conceived as a 2+2 GT, the new Z will be a genuine front-engined rear-wheel drive sports car.
As opposed to the retro Z8 (which was a Bond car before Aston Martin realigned itself with the world’s most famous fictional spy), the design of the new Z will be influenced by the Z4’s avant garde flame-surfaced curves and swishes.
The newcomer will also reportedly have an aluminium-spaceframe-and-steel-unibody construction. But instead of only using aluminium for the car’s front end, BMW is investigating utilising the metal for the construction of the Z car’s middle section in an attempt to realise a 50:50 weight distribution for the newcomer.
BMW’s new 225 kW twin-turbo 3,0-litre Valvetronic straight six, which is claimed to propel the 335i Coupé from zero to 100 km/h in 5,5 seconds, could ostensibly be the entry-level offering for the new Z. However, there is also talk of a 4,4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 and a beefed-up version of the M5’s 5,0-litre V10 being offered in the higher reaches of the new model range… What an exciting prospect!