Photo: SB-Medien
Have you ever seen anything that Toyota and BMW have worked on together? Well, get a load of the preview concept for next year's Z4 roadster. It's making its motor show debut in Frankfurt, which is just a stone's throw away from where its home is.
Originally shown in August at Pebble Beach, the Z4 Concept is now making its first European appearance. And it's the sort of design that makes you happy to be a car fanatic - not a tall SUV or a boring EV, but an evolution of man's dreams for the past half century.
In a way, the concept is a great way to appreciate the Z4 without thinking of the nuts and bolts. Just look at how the front end wants to swallow air, like a hungry shark inches away from a juicy seal. Every line has a purpose, unlike the messy sportscars Japan usually makes.
The proportions are classic roadster stuff - a looooong hood that has sexy scallops and a tiny rear deck with a discreet spoiler element. A lot of it was inspired by the original Mille Miglia-winning roadster, the BMW 328.
We don't know how much of it they will keep for production, but the interior is a stunning work of art, far better than that of most Lambos or Ferraris. Half of it is covered in tanned leather and the other in black to symbolize a single-seater's cockpit.
As you all know, the Z4 is part of a joint venture with Toyota. That means the next Supra will use the platform underneath.
Even though it looks expensive right now, there will be a cheap version. For example, our spy photos show that the Z4 s20i base model only has 197 PS (195-hp / 145 kW) and 320 Nm of torque. That suggests it will target the very top end of the GT 86 and MX-5 market with a starting price of around $35,000. Mercedes is doing the same with the SLC, by the way.
In a way, the concept is a great way to appreciate the Z4 without thinking of the nuts and bolts. Just look at how the front end wants to swallow air, like a hungry shark inches away from a juicy seal. Every line has a purpose, unlike the messy sportscars Japan usually makes.
The proportions are classic roadster stuff - a looooong hood that has sexy scallops and a tiny rear deck with a discreet spoiler element. A lot of it was inspired by the original Mille Miglia-winning roadster, the BMW 328.
We don't know how much of it they will keep for production, but the interior is a stunning work of art, far better than that of most Lambos or Ferraris. Half of it is covered in tanned leather and the other in black to symbolize a single-seater's cockpit.
As you all know, the Z4 is part of a joint venture with Toyota. That means the next Supra will use the platform underneath.
Even though it looks expensive right now, there will be a cheap version. For example, our spy photos show that the Z4 s20i base model only has 197 PS (195-hp / 145 kW) and 320 Nm of torque. That suggests it will target the very top end of the GT 86 and MX-5 market with a starting price of around $35,000. Mercedes is doing the same with the SLC, by the way.
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