BMW will shed around 200 kg from the next Z4

Although some of BMW‘s customers looking for performance models can already satisfy their cravings with the M235i and the M3/M4 duo, there is another group that leans more towards the Z4 formula. The German roadster turns five in 2014 and, although it received a slight refresh last year, its rivals will not go easy on it when it comes to accumulating sales.

Until now not many details had been gathered about the next generation, but during the recent presentation of the 2 Series and the 4 Series Convertible in Las Vegas, new information on the subject came to light. One of the executives at BMW stated that the next Z4 will weigh about two hundred kilograms less than the current one. The most logical question that this statement raised was whether this reduction would be due to the retractable metal roof being replaced by a fabric one. The answer was not affirmative, but nor was it negative.

The metal roof used on the Z4 E89 offers lower air resistance and greater ergonomics regardless of the time of year. But it seems that BMW prefers to get more out of the model’s dynamic behaviour, and one of the measures usually applied is reducing the body’s mass. The brand’s representative also remarked: “It would be strange if there were no M version“.

It is evident that BMW wants to recover the performance spirit of the first two Z4s and turn it back into a sporty roadster, not just one for lowering the top and enjoying the air. Although both the first M Roadster and the later Z4 M Roadster shared the S54B32 engine of the E46 M3, it is still too early to predict that a similar strategy will be applied with the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 of the M4. In any case, we will have to wait until 2015 at the earliest to see the new Z4.

Source | Autoweek

Technical specifications of this car

RoadsterBMW Z43 versions · from 60,500 €