Another BMW concept to debut today at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show is the Z4 Roadster which was first shown this summer in Pebble Beach. Adrian Van Hooydonk presented the car which previews the production roadster out in 2018. The production Z4 is a joint project between BMW and Toyota. The platform will also underpin a Toyota sports car that’s expected to be the long-awaited successor to the Supra.
The BMW/Toyota partnership will also span a coupe version for the Japanese which is scheduled to debut later this year. The cars share BMW’s engines and will be built at a neutral site, the Magna factory in Graz, Austria.
The classic elements of a roadster are present in the Z4 Concept. A short rear deck, long hood, compact size and short overhangs. It’s all there to remind you that this is an old-school sports car. But its aggressive flanks, massive air intakes and nostrils show that this is a modern, real-deal sports car. According to the Bavarians, a lot of this concept’s design was inspired by older cars, such as the original Mille Miglia-winning roadster, the BMW 328.
Inside, the classic sports car with a modern twist theme carries on. The three-spoke steering wheel is simple and elegant, yet futuristic and modern. Aside from those massive red paddle shifters add some flamboyance but this is a simple cockpit, overall. While this is a very concept-y cabin, it does have a lot of modern BMW elements that could make it to production.
Like every new rear-wheel-drive BMW, the next Z4 is underpinned by the CLAR architecture which offers a lightweight platform, so important for great driving dynamics. Therefore, an all-wheel drive system will not be offered.
Price wise, expect the new Z4 to sell for around the same price as the last-generation model at just north of $50,000 and move up from there when it hits the streets, likely late next year.
