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2018 BMW Z5 Spied in Munich, 2016 BMW Z4 Reportedly Out of Production

E89 Z4 production is slated to end this ye... oh, wait. As per Wikipedia, it has already ceased production even though there is no reference to back up that claim. Be that as it may, an all-new roadster is in the pipeline and BMW engineers are working around the clock to make the Z5 a much better car than the Z4.
2018 BMW Z5 Roadster (G29) pre-production prototype 12 photos
Photo: SB-Medien/Stefan Baldauf
2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 Roadster2018 BMW Z5 RoadsterBMW Z4 end of production as per Wikipedia
The first time the pre-production prototype of the 2018 BMW Z5 was caught on camera by the spy photographers was almost six months ago. Now, though, it seems as if the Bavarian manufacturer has made progress, as you can see in this photo gallery.

Underneath the thin camouflage up front, we’re able to see the chrome-laden BMW kidney grille with an increased number of bars compared to what the Z4 brags with. The 2018 BMW Z5, then, will adopt the evolutionary design that debuted with the 2016 BMW 7 Series. As for the headlights, taillights, valance panels, and side skirts, I’m afraid the peeps at BMW aren’t finished just yet.

What looks as if it’s ready for production is the canvas roof, including the rear window. Now look even closer. Notice the rollover bars fixed behind the headrests, indicator stalks borrowed from the all-new 7 Series, and gauges lifted from the 3 Series LCI? What about the  silver-finished paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and an infotainment screen located just above the central air vents in typical BMW fashion?

Codenamed G29, the 2018 BMW Z4 Roadster will be introduced in the second half of 2017. In 2018, BMW will debut the Z5 Coupe, alongside its platform brother from Toyota that may get the Supra name. Don’t know about of you, but that’s a lot of waiting considering how poor E89 Z4 sales have been in last period.

In the United States of America and Europe combined, BMW managed to sell 5,922 units of the Z4 in calendar year 2015. By comparison, Mazda sold 6,746 units of the MX-5 Miata in Europe alone in the same period. Dear BMW, here’s a bit of advice: Don’t dare mess the G29 Z5 up.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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