BMW Teases Z4 Concept Prior to Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance
BMW just dropped a photo of the upcoming Z4 Concept. Expected to be unveiled at Pebble Beach this Thursday, someone with access to the company’s social media account apparently couldn’t wait that long. While the photo they’ve chosen obscures a good bit of the vehicle, there’s enough to accurately identify it as BMW’s upcoming roadster.
Codenamed G29, the next-generation Z4 will be built on a sports-car chassis co-designed with Toyota. Mechanically, it is a sister to the returning Toyota Supra, leaving everyone interested even more ravenous for detailed specs. However, as this is a concept, it’s unlikely BMW is going to give anyone a full rundown during Monterey’s Car Week. We’re hoping the company lets something slip.
What we know for sure is that both cars will be rear-wheel drive, and the Z4 is rumored to have a 2.0-liter four-pot or an optional 3.0-liter straight-six.
The teaser image shows a kidney grille unique to this concept, with stacked headlights positioned almost vertically. The front air inlets and wheels are appropriately scaled for a concept car, while the windshield is scaled down. None of it appears cartoonish but the production probably won’t be quite so dramatic. Still, it’s immediately identifiable as a Z4 — right down to the telltale creases along the vehicle’s side.
The 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance kicks off on August 16th and runs through to the 20th. BMW’s Z4 should make a less-obscured appearance on August 17th.
[Image: BMW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I really like the look of a colorful Z4 but to drive them- terrible. heavy, no feeling, no power, stupid thick steering wheel. This one looks like a bloated mess. Super high beltline, probably weighs 4000lbs. Zero reliability, wouldn't take a BMW on a finance, lease only and give it back at the end.
Huh - I thought BMW was cutting the Z. This is a car that's rarer than a *2-series around here. *the local BMW is 90% stocked with 3-series. I've never seen a 2 on the lot.
If BMW is so bad how it is still better than Cadillac?
"Z4 is rumored to have a 2.0-liter four-pot" bye Felicia!