BMW planning to produce Z4 coupe

[BMWDave]

BMW planning to produce Z4 coupe; concept version to be shown at Frankfurt show
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE
Posted Date: 8/22/05
MUNICH, Germany -- BMW AG plans a coupe version of its Z4 roadster, according to company sources.

Like its predecessor, the Z3 coupe, the new coupe will be built at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, S.C., where the roadster is produced.

The decision to build the coupe is surprising. The previous model was not considered a success. During a five-year production run that ended in 2002, BMW sold fewer than 18,000 Z3 coupes.

The Z4 coupe is expected to go on sale next summer. BMW will show a concept version of the car at next month's Frankfurt auto show.

BMW says the car will compete with the Porsche 911 and Cayman coupe, which goes on sale in January.

The Z4 coupe will be powered by BMW's 260-hp, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. An M performance version also is planned with a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine from the M3, upgraded to 360 hp from 343 hp.

A BMW source says the Z4 coupe will look sleeker than its predecessor. It also will have a roomier trunk.

[mazda6er]

Judging from the cars they hope to compete with, I shudder to see the sticker price.

[ifcar]

Judging from the cars they hope to compete with, I shudder to see the sticker price.

I highly doubt they'd charge much, if any more for the coupe than for the convertible.  

[Raza]

Judging from the cars they hope to compete with, I shudder to see the sticker price.

If they keep the same drivetrain, which it seems so, it will probably be cheaper than the Z4 Roadster for the 3.0 coupe, and cheaper than the M3 for the 3.2

[mazda6er]

I agree with you guys that it would logically be within +/- 3K of the current convertible model, but how could even BMW delude themeselves enough to believe a mid $30K car competes with a $90K GT car?

[ifcar]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.  

[BMWDave]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

[mazda6er]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

I know, it actually starts about $70K. Even that's a big jump from mid-$30K though, M model or not. I'm anxious to see what develops with this.

[ifcar]

You can already load it up quickly, C/D's Long Term Test 3.0 was around $50K IIRC.

[850CSi]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

I highly doubt that any car under $100K besides the Elise and possibly the NSX can match the Cayman's drive and handling.

[BMWDave]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

I highly doubt that any car under $100K besides the Elise and possibly the NSX can match the Cayman's drive and handling.

I agree, there is simply no substitute in terms of balance for a mid engined car.  But at least it can come pretty darn close, and perhaps make up for it in the power department.

[Raghavan]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

I highly doubt that any car under $100K besides the Elise and possibly the NSX can match the Cayman's drive and handling.

What about the Lancer Evolution?

[BMWDave]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

I highly doubt that any car under $100K besides the Elise and possibly the NSX can match the Cayman's drive and handling.

What about the Lancer Evolution?

Dont kid yourself.

[Raghavan]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

I highly doubt that any car under $100K besides the Elise and possibly the NSX can match the Cayman's drive and handling.

What about the Lancer Evolution?

Dont kid yourself.

why not?

[Raza]

I agree with you guys that it would logically be within +/- 3K of the current convertible model, but how could even BMW delude themeselves enough to believe a mid $30K car competes with a $90K GT car?

They're probably referring to the M Coupe, which is still ridiculous, since the 645Ci/M6 is the competitor to the 911.  

[Raza]

You can already load it up quickly, C/D's Long Term Test 3.0 was around $50K IIRC.

Didn't theirs have the $1500 SMG trans?  Or was that Automobile's?

[Raza]

Maybe an M version will be appear and be priced closer to the 911, which can easily be had for under $90,000.

There is already an M in the works, or so I have heard.  If it gets 400hp a la new M3, then I see no reason why it cant compete with the Cayman or 911.  it surely wont be down in the power department.

I highly doubt that any car under $100K besides the Elise and possibly the NSX can match the Cayman's drive and handling.

What about the Lancer Evolution?

Dont kid yourself.

why not?

An AWD sedan with econo-class roots will not be able to compete with something like a pure bred mid engine GT.  It's an insane thing to even contemplate.  Sure the Evo handles very well, but in tight, hard, or fast corners, the chassis will give in, the AWD will cause the car to understeer, instead of floating right through like a Boxster or Cayman would.  There are only so many shortcomings that a large turbo and AWD can overcome (forgetting for a moment the sacrifices that have to be made with AWD itself).  I've driven a lot of cars in my day, and it says something that the first generation Boxster S is still the most impressive automobile I've ever helmed when it's in the company or such cars like the S55 AMG, 350Z, TT, GTO, WRX, and others.  Hell, even an underpowered Toyota convertible that is a dedicated mid engine chassis (the MR-2 Spyder, in case you forgot that Toyota makes a sports car, because they sure seem to have) is also one of the best handling cars I've driven, and one of the most fun and entertaining (the biggest thing holding that car back is the lack of power).

[ifcar]

You can already load it up quickly, C/D's Long Term Test 3.0 was around $50K IIRC.

Didn't theirs have the $1500 SMG trans?  Or was that Automobile's?

That may be. I only remember the price, I'd have to look it up.  

[BMWDave]

You can already load it up quickly, C/D's Long Term Test 3.0 was around $50K IIRC.

Didn't theirs have the $1500 SMG trans?  Or was that Automobile's?

That may be. I only remember the price, I'd have to look it up.

I think it did have SMG, though I am not certain.