Just yesterday, some new leaked photos surfaced, possibly showing off the face of the brand new BMW Z4. While we can’t confirm whether or not the photos are official, it’s likely to be so. We’ve already seen spy photos and official prototype photos and this looks identical to what we’ve seen in those. So we’re going to take a shot in the dark and say this is the new Z4’s real face. The bigger question is — is it better or worse than the outgoing car?
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The current, and aging, BMW Z4 is a good car but it’s a car of many faults. It’s not very quick, it never really handled all that well, lacks steering feel and its folding metal roof, while impressive to watch, makes it too heavy and too compromised in terms of practicality. However, one of its strong points is its looks. The current Z4 is a proper looker, that’s for sure.
It’s smooth, flowing and classically proportioned. That long hood that seems to dive toward the road beneath it, the short rear deck and the fact that the driver sits far back, almost on the rear axle, all make it just such a handsome car. It’s both pretty and powerful looking, with seductive headlights and muscular rear haunches. So this new car has a lot to live up to. From what you’ve seen so far, do you think it will be able to?
Personally, I think it does but it’s very different. The current Z4 seems to have been designed to be a pretty car, a roadster designed for stylish, comfortable cruising. That’s what it’s good at and that’s what it looks like it’s good at. This new BMW Z4 looks like a sportier car, with its stubbier proportions, wider features and more aggressive styling cues. Which makes sense, as it’s going to be a much sportier car.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the current Z4. I have fond memories of driving a Z4 sDrive28i with a six-speed through the twisty back-country roads of New York State. However, I’m thrilled about this new Z4. I think it looks the business, has an awesome interior and, based on what we’ve heard and read, it seems to bring proper BMW roadster handling back.
It may not be as pretty as the old car and it may not be as flowing but it looks punchy and sporty and, more importantly, modern. So I’m happy with the way the new Z4 looks but I have a feeling there will be a lot of enthusiasts who are disappointed. And I don’t think I can blame them.
Better or worse is irrelevant.
How many new roadsters are being introduced?
How many have a 335 hp. turbo I6?
How many manual station wagons are being produced?
How many manual anything?
How many people are buying them?
Celebrate the fact that 80 yrs. on, BMW are still producing roadsters.
Unlike the original 328, this one won’t win the Mille Miglia.
Because it doesn’t exist anymore, either.
Many guys may give me stick for this comment of mine but i will go ahead with it..
New Z4 is a big miss in my opinion. As has become a ritual now, BMW designs doesn’t bring any newness and freshness to the scene anymore. Infact, quite the opposite. Some recent designs (now include this one as well) are actually so lame attempts at refurbishing up the things that i personally wouldn’t want to be seen or associated with them. Most lesser brands are putting far more honest efforts and are coming up with much nicer and interesting things. I follow the progress of quite a few other brands too and compared to them, BMW seems to be on the nap. It appears that they don’t have any idea how fast things are evolving in general.
Take Mazda for example – i just haven’t seen anything as gorgeous as its latest Mazda 6, both inside and out, in recent times. Not one model of BMW ( we can also include entire German triumvirate in this case) can hold a candle to Mazda 6 in terms of design. Its just so timeless and effervescent overall. Moreover, its an evolved design too and not an altogether new design but still looks new and fresh in any given way. Some may argue about BMW being better in terms of quality but then BMW is charging pretty hefty premium for it too. Worst part is that nothing looks enough expensive ( for what we are paying) in current BMWs.
The last Z4 was a smashing looker till the end of its lifestyle. Those proportions, those lines, those purposeful interiors were simply stand out. BMW would have done much better to evolve that design instead of coming with this mediocrity. Funny part is that where it actually needed altogether new design ( G11/12/30) they went for depressing evolution and where they could have stayed in the game by evolution, they ended up changing design altogether and bringing utterly mundane design. Harakiri at its very best !! Even the MX-5 Miata, fiat 124 spider are far more arresting looking things and at those prices they are worthy of winning beauty pageants. This one is neither here nor there. Even in terms of drive, however improved it may be to last Z4, its not gonna be a Porsche beater. As it is, BMW stopped being the last word on driving pleasure long time ago. so that further weakens this product’s case and positioning in the market.
Recently Car advice Australia did a poll on upcoming Supra and Z4 as to which one a person would choose over the other. Without even driving the car, heck ! without even camouflage being taken of 60+ percent people went for Toyota. This should be more worrisome for BMW as even if its higher brand cache wasn’t able to pull things for it. Brand value cannot pull things for too long if the products itself doesn’t have much on it whether its a BMW or an Apple.
BMW better wake up on time. Almost every body is churning outstanding drivetrains and dialing lovely driving charactersti to its cars these days. In future, biggest differentiation is actually going to come through the design finesse and sophistication. And here in you aren’t just trailing within Germany. You may be trailing to Japan and will soon be trailing to South Korea if things aren’t taken seriously on time.
“looks like the concept” – Driving
“Reincarnation of BMW’s iconic sports car” – Financial Express
“Looks Perfect” – Auto Evolution
“concept car styling” – Motoring
“Looks Pretty Damn Good” – Three PM News
In my eyes it’s quite to early to judge on the upcoming Z4, because we didn’t see it in person. And we didn’t drive it. Give it the last few days until it’s official release and than we will see and a few months later we will feel. Same with the Supra.
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. I like the Mazda 6 too, but i wouldnt buy it because of it’s old school 6-speed automatic transmisson and the embarrassing TomTom. And if you want a more powerfull engine, you are lost with Mazda. And i don’t agree that BMW interior isn’t looking expensive enough. You may be right with basic trim levels. But there are many ways making it nicer, more individual and even high-grade.
Very nice points !! My reference about Mazda was only to regarding its styling. And i never say that BMW isn’t doing anything only point here is that are they doing enough and according to their stature.
:)