Next z4

[Rjscharer]

Story just posted on carbuzz.com says next z will be a hybrid developed with Toyota. I'll keep my 2013.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

Arrghhhh. Z4 Supra Camry.
No thanx.

[cuddapah]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo ... what are they thinking ?

[rking117]

Well, i dont think this story has a lot of meritt. I have seen stories like this before such as a smaller Z, etc. While BMW does seem to partner with other companies, in this case with Toyo, they usually make cars as a learning venture. That doesnt mean that they wont build a car or that it wont make it to production it just means that before BMW will release a vehicle to us it will be 100 % theirs. I am not too woriied at this point but i guess we will have to wait and see.

[nicknaz]

For the FT86, I think Subaru did the chassis development and power train development. Toyota just customized their suspension settings and their styling.

I don't think this would be the end of the world, to have BMW building a car that Toyota takes and restyles a bit and maybe adds their electric motors to.

BMW can spend more to develop the car and the low volume will be ok because Toyota offsets the development costs.

We might actually be better of.... It is not like the E89 is an amazing sports car, and we aren't getting any meaningful updates over time.

[Gpwheels]

This month Motor Trend has a short bit on the new Z4. Mostly speculation, but it sounds like it will be mostly BMW with a hybrid motor from Toyota bolted to a 2.0l turbo from BMW. The FT 86 was a joint project partly because Toyota owns a big piece of Subaru and Scion. BMW and Toyota are not affiliated, but Toyota pioneered hybrid development. If BMW is choosing to go this route, Toyota is a logical choice. I'm just not sure about adding the weight of a hybrid system with all the batteries to an already heavy car with limited cargo space. I thought that's what the "I" series is for. If Toyota and BMW partner, I hope Toyota supplies the fuel pump and injectors.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Gpwheels

. If Toyota and BMW partner, I hope Toyota supplies the fuel pump and injectors.

FT86/BRZ uses the toyota direct injection system, and there are anecdotes of fuel starvation at the track causing in engine failure.

Not sure that would good to hope Toyota supplies those parts.

Another angle is BMW and Toyota are both developing expertise in carbon fiber (i.e. i8 and LFA), so that could be an area of knowledge sharing and share development cost

[Gpwheels]

Maybe they could buy some injectors from Honda

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Gpwheels

Maybe they could buy some injectors from Honda

I don't think Honda has any DI engines.

N55 injectors seem to be OK. I think BMW has ironed things out on that front...

[Gpwheels]

Just being a wise guy. Hope they keep the z4 great. I own a Toyota tundra and it's the best truck I've ever owned. Hybrids are the new thing. I'm sure BMW will keep it from becoming a convertible Prius.

[nicknaz]

I hope they really get back to the Z4M / Z3M plot line.... Right now we are trending towards the Toyota Camry Solara style of convertible with the E89...

I'm actually thinking about taking the 335 to a track day instead of the Z435 on the off chance that the N55 + large brakes combo is able to manage heat a bit better

[jrob8604]

From what I read earlier BMW will have their own Design and Own motor. I'm sure both companies will pick each other brains and pick some things from each other that they will develop and include in each car. But one will be distinctive BMW and distinctive Toyota, so I wouldn't worry at all.