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.
Quote:
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.
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