[Mikecom32]

Originally Posted by aajami

Drive a car with an S65 and report back with your pleasure

Oh, I agree, it's an incredible engine. It just seems like some people want BMW to cram it in everything.

Personally, with the move to CFRP and other lightweight technologies, a small Z car would probably be better off with a lighter drivetrain than the e9x. I'm thinking a new lightweight, high rev, straight 6?

I guess we'll have to wait and see. It seems like they currently have a love affair with N54 and it's variants/spinoffs, so that'd be my guess.

[RedGT3RS]

Originally Posted by z4xtreme

It might sound exciting from the cooperation line, but..... A BMW Z-Series with crappy-cheap Japanese parts it's a sad drop into oblivion.

Reliability? Give me a break!!!!
E85/86 and e89, might not be perfect, but I will rather visit the dealer more often than drive a Japanese rice piece of crap!

Don't even dare to mention junk wannabes like the Z06, ZR1 or the GTR. Unless you consider a carton shoebox a refined sports car.

I hope they release this as a sub-brand and not as a BMW, otherwise we all might as well flush our car keys into toilets and start migrating to Porsche and Benz.

This post reeks of ignorance and arrogance like no other

"Japanese rice piece of crap" Racist much?

You do know Mercedes and Nissan work together too, right?

[aajami]

Originally Posted by Mikecom32

Oh, I agree, it's an incredible engine. It just seems like some people want BMW to cram it in everything.

Ironically, with the N74 notwithstanding, it's probably the least used BMW engine by model distribution.

Originally Posted by Mikecom32

Personally, with the move to CFRP and other lightweight technologies, a small Z car would probably be better off with a lighter drivetrain than the e9x. I'm thinking a new lightweight, high rev, straight 6?

I guess we'll have to wait and see. It seems like they currently have a love affair with N54 and it's variants/spinoffs, so that'd be my guess.

I agree that an S65 would be overkill for a CF-based Z3, but I think Scott26 alluded to the Z5 being the only new Z car to get a lot of carbon fiber, and I think that will be more of a mid-size sports car, making it perfect for an S65 (or better yet, an S65B44). That said, I'm no fool -- I think it'll be a very, very long time before we see a new NA engine from BMW for any car, sports car or otherwise.

[Matski]

The 3 cylinder engine in the i8 uses BMW's 500cc/cyclinder architecture right?

So make it a 3 litre i6 and you have over 450 hp right there.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by z4xtreme

It might sound exciting from the cooperation line, but..... A BMW Z-Series with crappy-cheap Japanese parts it's a sad drop into oblivion.

Reliability? Give me a break!!!!
E85/86 and e89, might not be perfect, but I will rather visit the dealer more often than drive a Japanese rice piece of crap!

Don't even dare to mention junk wannabes like the Z06, ZR1 or the GTR. Unless you consider a carton shoebox a refined sports car.

I hope they release this as a sub-brand and not as a BMW, otherwise we all might as well flush our car keys into toilets and start migrating to Porsche and Benz.

If anybody was curious why manufacturers don't seem to listen to guys on car forums, look no further than this guy.

[JasonCSU]

My take on this is that a Z5 roadster/coupe will move upmarket from the current Z4 and compete with the likes of the Jaguar F-type, Mercedes SL, and Porsche 911 cabriolets. A Z3 roadster/coupe would then hopefully be a little more "back-to-basics" than the current Z4 and compete with the new C7 Corvette and Porsche Boxster/Cayman.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by z4xtreme

It might sound exciting from the cooperation line, but..... A BMW Z-Series with crappy-cheap Japanese parts it's a sad drop into oblivion.

Reliability? Give me a break!!!!
E85/86 and e89, might not be perfect, but I will rather visit the dealer more often than drive a Japanese rice piece of crap!

Don't even dare to mention junk wannabes like the Z06, ZR1 or the GTR. Unless you consider a carton shoebox a refined sports car.

I hope they release this as a sub-brand and not as a BMW, otherwise we all might as well flush our car keys into toilets and start migrating to Porsche and Benz.

Wow, elitist much? Why do you assume all Japanese parts are 'crappy' and 'cheap'? Japanese cars are some of the most reliable on the road. The fact that you consider the Z06, ZR1, and GTR to be 'junk wannabes' proves you are not a true enthusiast.

[The Shoe]

just to point out the s65 v8 does weigh less than the s54 I6 in the e86 m coupes. for a true focused roadster N/A is the only way to go. intercoolers and turbos are great but they still add weight. lets see 8400rpm. with thru lightweight chassis 25mpg should be no problem for a z5 with an s65 motor....I would buy it in a heartbeat as long as they stay true to the shooting brake. look at the ferrari f12 or ff amazing shooting brake style.

just bring back the ultimate driving machine a 2 seater NA beast that weighs 2900-3200 lbs. We know u can do it BMW.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by The Shoe

just to point out the s65 v8 does weigh less than the s54 I6 in the e86 m coupes. for a true focused roadster N/A is the only way to go. intercoolers and turbos are great but they still add weight. lets see 8400rpm. with thru lightweight chassis 25mpg should be no problem for a z5 with an s65 motor....I would buy it in a heartbeat as long as they stay true to the shooting brake. look at the ferrari f12 or ff amazing shooting brake style.

just bring back the ultimate driving machine a 2 seater NA beast that weighs 2900-3200 lbs. We know u can do it BMW.

As much as I would love to see the v8 as well, I remember reading that the S65 goes away with the e92 m3. Apparently high revs, while fun, fly in the face of the company's efficiency goals.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

My take on this is that a Z5 roadster/coupe will move upmarket from the current Z4 and compete with the likes of the Jaguar F-type, Mercedes SL, and Porsche 911 cabriolets. A Z3 roadster/coupe would then hopefully be a little more "back-to-basics" than the current Z4 and compete with the new C7 Corvette and Porsche Boxster/Cayman.

C7 will likely be out of even the Z5's league, let alone the Z3. A recent test showed the c7 pulling something like 1.06g, less than 100 ft to brake from 60, and the qtr in the low 12's.

Just a guess at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the turbo 3-cyl in the z1, n20 in the z3, and some n55 variant in the z5.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by z4xtreme

It might sound exciting from the cooperation line, but..... A BMW Z-Series with crappy-cheap Japanese parts it's a sad drop into oblivion.

Reliability? Give me a break!!!!
E85/86 and e89, might not be perfect, but I will rather visit the dealer more often than drive a Japanese rice piece of crap!

Don't even dare to mention junk wannabes like the Z06, ZR1 or the GTR. Unless you consider a carton shoebox a refined sports car.

I hope they release this as a sub-brand and not as a BMW, otherwise we all might as well flush our car keys into toilets and start migrating to Porsche and Benz.

LOL

I will take this "Japanese rice piece of crap!" over your Z4 any day of the week.

I am a former owner of an 1992 and 2002 modified Acura NSX. These cars are way ahead of the basic 3.0 Z4.

[Ringer]

Like a concept says a lot!! Very beautiful!!

Amazing!

[cjwb1984]

I love my Z4. It is one of the better looking hardtop roadsters currently available. I hope that when they do come up with a replacement that a hardtop be made available.

And this rumor of an optional hybrid is very interesting, I wouldn't mind a roadster that has the I6 engine with 300+ hp while giving good mpg(us), something like 21 city 30 highway. Maybe an improve version of the active hybrid 3 series engine, that have a lighter battery to accommodate what will be a small place to put the battery in a roadster or coupe.

I'm looking more for a GT roadster than an all out sports car that is stiff as hell. Adaptive suspensions and dampers might help for those people that are looking for sportscar. Just giving my 2 cents on this.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

C7 will likely be out of even the Z5's league, let alone the Z3. A recent test showed the c7 pulling something like 1.06g, less than 100 ft to brake from 60, and the qtr in the low 12's.

Just a guess at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the turbo 3-cyl in the z1, n20 in the z3, and some n55 variant in the z5.

Yeah, performance wise, these proposed Z cars probably won't reach the level of the C7 which is an absolute best bang for the buck performance bargain. I was thinking merely in terms of price point for other coupes and roadsters.

[nicknaz]

I would be a shame if the next Z model isn't competitive with the c7 etc.

I personally believe the reason they did not sell too well in the US is insufficient performance for the sticker price.

The only reason I have a z435 instead of 135/335 is the high residual and huge discounting resulting in z4 lease payment that is the similar. No way I would have gone for z if it was full price there just isn't enough go for e89 to be a mid $60k car, in my opinion.

[theART]

Z5 sounds bigger and more expensive then Z4, and Z4 was just right in seize but still expensive, if Z5 tips over 3400lbs then do not want.

Z3 sounds great but only if it looks like a BMW not a Toyota/Lexus.

Z1 FWD, do not want.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by theART

Z5 sounds bigger and more expensive then Z4, and Z4 was just right in seize but still expensive, if Z5 tips over 3400lbs then do not want.

Z3 sounds great but only if it looks like a BMW not a Toyota/Lexus.

Z1 FWD, do not want.

Let me get one thing clear which I must say pisses me off.

Is that the BMW/Toyota collaboration extends to technology and architecture.
Engines will be from BMW for the BMW as will design and chassis engineering , each brand have their own character and this will be evident.
The interior and the exterior will be from BMW. Toyota will design their own exterior and interior. The BMW will be a BMW and the Toyota will be a Toyota.

Both Toyota and BMW share the same unique vision when it comes to new products and that creativity is done through innovation , but in amongst this they still exist to satisfy its market and customers with what they require.

There is far too much jingoistic views when it comes to this agreement which is purely about two manufacturers that share a unique vision into progressing the automobile to an ever changing world.

The collaboration could extend to mid sized replacement for the Z4 as the next Z4 will be the Z5. Hypothetically this could be developed with the successor for the GT86 or other sports cars Toyota have planned for.

With the aspect of Hybrid technology both companies are also investigating options for a BMWi and Prius type sports Coupe.

The Z1 makes sense from a product point of view as MINI will replace the Coupe/Roadster with a single sports car which will break away and not simply be an existing MINI but an all new concept but available with Coupe and Roadster.
The Z1 fits in here because again it can share architecture and provide several benefits from the MINI including less weight, a small BMW Roadster Coupe could provide an interesting platform for new customers.

Illustration to show how the BMW Z1 can align itself with the new MINI sports car Coupe and Roadster.

[sonicbimmer19]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

My take on this is that a Z5 roadster/coupe will move upmarket from the current Z4 and compete with the likes of the Jaguar F-type, Mercedes SL, and Porsche 911 cabriolets. A Z3 roadster/coupe would then hopefully be a little more "back-to-basics" than the current Z4 and compete with the new C7 Corvette and Porsche Boxster/Cayman.

I think Z3 will compete with SLK and TT
and Z5 will compete with F type and Cayman/Boxster

We don't have jack shit to compete with SL, 911, or R8. The best we'll have to offer will be i8 which I must say I'm pretty excited about; something different.

But if BMW doesn't have a proper midengine proper sports super car by 2020, I might leave the brand. It's not a threat but just getting sick of Audi, an inferior brand than a BMW, having a proper midengine super car.

I'm relatively young at age 25 and if you ask people my age or younger which brand is your favorite of Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, 90% of them say Audi. Either because of clean and simple design that's easy on eyes and/or the R8.

[Nkc]

I'll take whatever BMW 2 seater that's RWD in coupe or roadster and in the "real" M variant please. Oh and please at least try to keep it lighter.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by z4xtreme

It might sound exciting from the cooperation line, but..... A BMW Z-Series with crappy-cheap Japanese parts it's a sad drop into oblivion.

Reliability? Give me a break!!!!
E85/86 and e89, might not be perfect, but I will rather visit the dealer more often than drive a Japanese rice piece of crap!

Don't even dare to mention junk wannabes like the Z06, ZR1 or the GTR. Unless you consider a carton shoebox a refined sports car.

I hope they release this as a sub-brand and not as a BMW, otherwise we all might as well flush our car keys into toilets and start migrating to Porsche and Benz.

HOLY BATMAN! Quit embarrassing yourself. Crappy cheap Japanese parts, Japanese rice piece of crap, and GTR a carton shoebox... You have no clue do you?

[Kayani_1]

My question to Scott is does BMW have any answer to the Corvette Stingray.

There is nothing in that price range or above that BMW makes that can even compete or be called a pure sports car.

[lsal]

Scott - thanks for sharing!