[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Rumor: Baby BMW Roadster Coming to Geneva Show

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theage.com, an Australian publication, is reporting that BMW has confirmed the reveal of a small roadster concept at the Geneva autoshow next month, one which will preview an eventual production roadster which slots in under the Z4. Could it possibly be the long rumored BMW Z2, or just a description of the BMW Connected Drive Roadster Concept?

If so, could this possibly mean that there are two concept roadsters headed for a Geneva reveal? BMW insider SCOTT26 has stated that the BMW Connected Drive Roadster Concept will be unveiled at Geneva. However, that roadster is described as a "Preview Concept of a future two seater Roadster destined for the luxury market but equipped with BMW Connected drive technology," hardly a description apt for an entry-level and possibly FWD roadster which the Z2 is rumored to be. Or, could SCOTT26 and theage's source simply be describing the same concept roadster, but in different ways? We'll see next month!

As for the geneva-bound roadster being described by theage.com, BMW insiders are saying the show car will not go into production, but that some design features will be incorporated into future models.

The car is believed to have some wild styling themes, including overlapping exterior panels, a large scoop on one side of the bonnet, rear power bulges (reminiscent of a Porsche Carrera) and exterior lighting highlights that can change colour. It is also expected to feature retractable doors – used on BMW's 1980s Z1 roadster – that drop down into the sills.

There are also styling cues from BMW's Vision Efficient Dynamics hybrid show car, while the technology on board will include car-to-car communication, real-time navigation and the latest sensor technology for accident avoidance.

Despite the denials that the concept car is a forerunner to a new Z2, European car magazines are speculating a small BMW roadster is definitely in the pipeline, although reports are mixed about what form the car will take.

Germany's Autobild suggests the car is likely to be powered by a new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and will sit on the rear-drive platform of the next-generation 1-Series expected later this year.

But Car magazine in the UK claims the car will fall within BMW's new i-Project umbrella, a new sub-brand for the German marque that focuses on front-wheel-drive small cars employing the company's efficient dynamics fuel-saving technology. Engines would likely to be smaller 1.6-litre fours and possibly a three-cylinder, with the car aimed at cheaper roadsters including Mazda's MX-5.

BMW is scheduled to reveal details of its new environmentally-conscious sub-brand in the last week of this month and insiders claim the roadster concept has styling pointers to the new small cars.

Car Magazine in the UK says the new roadster isn't due until 2015, but other reports out of Germany say it could launch in the second half of next year and be followed by a coupe variant. A Geneva reveal would suggest the car will enter production sooner rather than later, despite BMW's denials about the concept entering production.

While the Z4 has a folding hardtop roof, its younger sibling is expected to feature a soft top for weight and cost reasons.

BMW says it is not wedded to hardtops, despite making a fuss about the folding metal roof on the 3-Series convertible and the Z4.

The company's head of functional integration, Gerard Schick, says the company decides the roof design for each car based on customer feedback.

"We always look at the type of car and the history of the model before we decide which roof to do," he says.

[WhoU4]

Z2 Please... Bring it On!!

[Pirat335i]

WHY BMW WHY? Why are you doing this! You are @#$%* up the brand.

There is already a small convertible; the 1 series convertible. Stop wasting resources on crap like this. PLEASE GIVE US A MID-ENGINE M Car!

[BMWFreaky]

Originally Posted by Pirat335i

WHY BMW WHY? Why are you doing this! You are @#$%* up the brand.

There is already a small convertible; the 1 series convertible. Stop wasting resources on crap like this. PLEASE GIVE US A MID-ENGINE M Car!

+11111111111111111111111

[DASHOCKER]

Gotta love BMW and the freshness with its lineup.

[InTheNightKitchen]

Didn't they say the want to expand the brand into one if not the largest auto manufacturers in the world?

[Muffnbluff]

Originally Posted by bbkg79

Didn't they say the want to expand the brand into one if not the largest auto manufacturers in the world?

That's VW/Audi/Porsche/Lamborghini that wants to overtake Toyota, BMW is nowhere near the size of that.

I sure as hell hope the Z2 if/when it comes out isn't FWD, that'd be a shame.

[Imola.ZHP]

Yes please!

[Diver]

A new sub brand for BMW? How about BMW Lite, or Not So Mini. The new rondel will be red and white, LOL.

I could get a lot more excited about a turbo 4 roadster if it was RWD.

[Merefield]

Originally Posted by Pirat335i

WHY BMW WHY? Why are you doing this! You are @#$%* up the brand.

There is already a small convertible; the 1 series convertible. Stop wasting resources on crap like this. PLEASE GIVE US A MID-ENGINE M Car!

Totally don't agree.

Series 1 convertible is not really a "Sports Car" shape, like the Z4, for example.

Something between a Miata (MX-5) and a Z4 would be a very attractive product, and for me bring us back to the Z3 sized vehicle the Z4 has really departed from, especially now it has a heavy hard roof.

[330CIZHP]

BMW is spitting out new models left and right. As if that was not enough, they are going to bring FWD cars as well.

I don't know why all this is happening (other than more profits, cuts in production costs and volume sales).

[InTheNightKitchen]

Originally Posted by Muffnbluff

That's VW/Audi/Porsche/Lamborghini that wants to overtake Toyota, BMW is nowhere near the size of that.

I sure as hell hope the Z2 if/when it comes out isn't FWD, that'd be a shame.

Exaclty, they want to get there! I believe it was posted here or I saw it in an article online.

Trying to find as I type...

Here ya go http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/b...-and-fourth-b/

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by WhoU4

Z2 Please... Bring it On!!

in RWD

Originally Posted by Pirat335i

WHY BMW WHY? Why are you doing this! You are @#$%* up the brand.

There is already a small convertible; the 1 series convertible. Stop wasting resources on crap like this. PLEASE GIVE US A MID-ENGINE M Car!

Hush

[My135]

As all BMWs grow up in $ and size, they need a new baby to grow again:-):-):-)

[EvolutionTheory]

Looks like BMW is making their own S2000!

[han405]

Originally Posted by EvolutionTheory

Looks like BMW is making their own S2000!

Hopefully their own MX-5 Miata, not S2k.

[LemonOne]

Originally Posted by Pirat335i

WHY BMW WHY? Why are you doing this! You are @#$%* up the brand.

There is already a small convertible; the 1 series convertible. Stop wasting resources on crap like this. PLEASE GIVE US A MID-ENGINE M Car!

Shut it

[npd2983]

Bring on some smaller BMWs!

The 1 series convertible is not a roadster by any stretch of the imagination. The 1 is several inches taller than a 3 series, primarily to make room for back seats. I doubt something like a Z2 would be that tall since it has no pretense of back seats. And these days the Z4 is quite a large car. Don't get me wrong - it is hardly bloated, rather it is pretty, long, and sculpted. In this regards is reminds me of roadsters "of old." But let's not kid ourselves, a Z4 is nowhere near the smaller size of a Miata, Solstice, Honda S2000, etc.

There are many "size choices" of coupes and sedans right now at BMW. There are 3, 5 and 7s on the sedans, 1s 3s and 6s on the coupes (or convertible coupes), but there is only 1 size roadster. It is Z4. Obviously BMW doesn't have much of a market if they go up in size - I mean the Z8 is an amazing collector car, but I doubt if a car like that were offered again it would move off the lot in reasonable numbers. So the logical direction to move is downsizing...

Cheers!

[comar1979]

I would Love a rwd Z2 Small, light and cheap

[Wolf]

I don't know where to stand anymore.. I want a light, cheap powerful roadster but I don't wanna see a BMW every-other car! Fuck!

[BMW269]

No, first come the 1 Series and the 2 Series and then the Z2. This Connected Drive Concept is a Z8/Z10 preview. It comes either with the TT 4.4l V8 or the NA 5.5l V10, but could also have a TT 3.0l I6. Now I am interested to see its roof, if it is a soft-top or a CF/Aluminium hard-top.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by comar1979

I would Love a rwd Z2 Small, light and cheap

This car looks awesome. They need to make it for sure. I hope it is RWD but if it is not I'm not going to stomp my foot and declare the end of the world is coming