More Ruminations on Future Z Cars - BMW Z1, Z3, Z5

[ChrisNich117]

Originally Posted by N & M

Thank you Chris. The whole point of the JV with Toyota in this project was to make a sports car a viable business case. With the mass and configuration sorted out I think they make something special.

Having SGL in their pocket is also a big plus. They can mass produce carbon fiber components for a minute fraction of the cost in comparison to almost everyone excluding the VW group.

[JasonCSU]

Originally Posted by Bennu

If you can't see the resemblance you've gotta be blind. No offense. In terms of concepts or abstracts, they do look alike.

Well, I was initially going to say, "if you think it looks like a Mustang, then you must be blind because it doesn't." The shape of the concept far more resembles the Z4 Coupe and new AMG GT.

[Gle8]

Ugg. It looks like Left Shark.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

Having SGL in their pocket is also a big plus. They can mass produce carbon fiber components for a minute fraction of the cost in comparison to almost everyone excluding the VW group.

You do mean "Including VW Group" because BMW is the only manufacturer who has perfected the process to produce cost effective Carbon Fibre via investment with SGL. Who are also making arrangements with other industries to purchase CFRP therefore allowing BMW and SGL to recover initial investment.

Porsche has announced that they are 10 years away from using Carbon Fibre in a "volume" product. VAG the same. BMW can do it now with the i3 think where they will be in 10 years time.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by ChrisNich117

BMW is the master of weight distribution. Let's not forget that this engine was flat out copied from BMW with the positioning of the turbo chargers. Just because they haven't set the car up in that way doesn't mean they can't find a way to make it even better. That entire engine and all its components aside from the oil lubrication, looks like it was devised from reverse engineering the current su63Tu. Pop that power plant and tranny into a 3500lb car and it will run circles around everything. Too bad Weismann went bankrupt, we could have seen it ðŸ˜*

You mean master of marketing?

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by Levi

You mean master of marketing?

Maybe not. Since you drive an Alfa BMW hasn't done a good job of marketing you.

[ChrisNich117]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

You do mean "Including VW Group" because BMW is the only manufacturer who has perfected the process to produce cost effective Carbon Fibre via investment with SGL. Who are also making arrangements with other industries to purchase CFRP therefore allowing BMW and SGL to recover initial investment.

Porsche has announced that they are 10 years away from using Carbon Fibre in a "volume" product. VAG the same. BMW can do it now with the i3 think where they will be in 10 years time.

No I said "excluding" because I said In comparison to everyone else I know full well that VW owns a portion of it, hence forth the language I used.

If I said "including" that would have meant that VW was in the implied group of those that could not manufacture carbon fiber on a mass scale.

[yousefnjr]

^^ I think that's what Scott was implying, that VW can't do it

[DOCTOR 3VIL]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Are these cars going to be vert only.

If so...will BMW ever produce a two seat sports car again, with a fixed roof?

"We're not in the business of making what you want, we rather make what we think you want" - BMW

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Just bring back the M coupe, please.

[FriskyDingo]

Dayumm, I like this. A lot. Please make it like this, and please make it relatively affordable.

[amanuuh]

Originally Posted by Bennu

If you can't see the resemblance you've gotta be blind. No offense. In terms of concepts or abstracts, they do look alike.

It's a shorter mustang lol I don't get how people don't see it. This picture shows it more than anything.

[jlstyle]

I love the back end.

[KevinM]

If the coupe looks anything like that sketch it will be beautiful. I really hope BMW brings an actual coupe back as an option.

[challer]

The sketches remind me very much of the MB SLS (now AMG GT) and Jaguar F-Type R. I like the direction it's heading in. I'd love to see a four-cylinder engine with a <4.0 0-60 and LSD stock.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Mingwan

I had to stop reading when they said they may explore a four-door Z model. So we have the 3 series which are generally four door cars, then the 4 series which were supposed to be the coupe versions of the 3 series. But we have the 4 series gran coupe which is pretty much a 3 series. This same dilemma is repeated in relationship between the 5 and 6 series. now they want to potentially explore a four door version of a car that has generally been a convertible? What's next? A four door, sedan version of the X5/6? Or what about a four door i8? Gran coupe i8 sounds excellent. Rolls eyes

I think their next version will be a 4-door convertible with rear-opening (aka "suicide") rear doors. A Z-cntl.

[Klier]

Originally Posted by Levi

You mean master of marketing?

lol, still the same posts I see.

[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

It's funny how many of you think it looks like a Mustang, because the proportions don't match. The overhangs and wheelbase on the sketch are shorter, plus the seats are nearly sitting on the rear axle. The fastback roof line is the only similarity I see.

I said 2021. As in "next-gen Mustang."

[Bosozoku]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

... Z @ BMW = Future. The new Sports cars embody this perfectly.

I certainly hope so. Because the current Z isn't a "sports car."
It's a personal luxury coupe with folding top.

For a while, BMW seemed to follow a technology trickle-down strategy. They'd put the latest hight-tech innovations in the 7 Series and gradually incorporate those elements into the smaller sedans and coupes. Leading from the luxury end of the line. But in the 21st century, BMW "i" has taken over the technological lead.

So what about performance innovations? Where's the "halo car" from which performance innovations can spread through the rest of the M and AG lines? Sure, BMW has positioned the M3/M4 as their DTM competitor. But that's for marketing reasons. It's to keep the 3/4 Series sales up, since they are the bread and butter of AG and M sales. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.

Should BMW position the Z cars as the company's avant-garde performance leaders? Or should they just continue milking the golden-aged country clubber market? I vote for the former. BMW sold less than 100 Z4s in the US in all of 2014. Their current formula isn't working.

[positiveions]

Like the rear. It stands out.

[Asskikr]

[Vector Pilot]

Originally Posted by Asskikr

Most interesting, like to know more, provide the link, please.