April 04, 2008
2010 BMW Z4 Expected
MUNICH, GERMANY – For 2010, the BMW Z4 will feature a longer nose, a longer decklid with space
for a retractable hardtop, and sheetmetal sculpting along the lines of the
3-series and 1-series on which it’s based, according to www.caranddriver.com.
Under the hood, experts expect to see a turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinders, which
is in the current 1- and 3-series, in roughly the same respective 225- and
300-hp potencies, with a choice of six-speed automatic and manual
transmissions. Other markets will get different choices, including at least one
four-cylinder and possibly a diesel to compete with Audi’s new TT diesel.
The
next-generation Z4 will not continue to be built in the U.S. at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg,
South Carolina, but will be consolidated with
3-series production in Regensburg,
Germany. The U.S. plant will be devoted to SUV production,
with the X3 moving from contract assembler Magna Steyr in
Austria in the 2010–11 timeframe to
join the X5 and the all-new X6.
An M
version of the Z4 will be part of the story eventually, likely bringing with it
BMW’s new seven-speed M DCT Drivelogic double-clutch manual transmission that
is slated to replace the unloved seven-speed SMG automated manual in today’s M5
and M6, according to www.caranddriver.com.