Z2 Prototype Spotted

[alex2364]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11004122...ach-california

The first photo of an alleged BMW Z2 roadster prototype has surfaced on a Belgium website. With rumors first originating more than 3 years ago, the photo finally confirms the development of a new Z-series car?

A Belgian expat captured the picture in Laguna Beach, California, over 100 miles away from the BMW testing facility in Oxnard. The heavily-padded car was trailing behind a BMW 5-Series GT, but does show a few details.

The lightweight car is rumored to share a platform with the next generation 1-Series, and capped off with the soft top seen here. It is believed that the top will be opened by hand, though a motorized top may be available as an option. We can see the car's dual exhaust.

Over the last three years, stories of the car weighing less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), and using active aerodynamics have surfaced. It is expected to get the BMW petrol 1.6-liter engine lineup, as well as a 250+ horsepower 2.0-liter twin-turbo engine. The car may also come as a Z2 coupe, and be available as a diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric down the road.

As an electric vehicle, it could share the same powertrain as the MINI Cooper E. The electrified Cooper uses a 150 kW (201 bhp / 204 PS) motor that delivers 220 Nm (162 ft-lb) of torque.

Look for a BMW Z2 Concept car to appear in Paris, with a production version to hit the roads by 2013. Rumors of the car having a starting price of $30,000 could be exaggerated, since the BMW 1-Series convertible begins at $34,200.

[cks0213]

good to hear about this!!
i was worried cuz the Z2 part of the forum wasn't updated for a while.
Thanks!~

[andrewt]

Did anyone see this?

BMW Z2 Prototype First Sighting in Laguna Beach, Californiahttp://www.worldcarfans.com/11004122...ach-california

[BMW86]

Great find!! This is something I've been hanging out for! Now throw the M1 engine in there and make an Z2M and sign me up!!

[jeremyc74]

Good find.

That article mentions a rumored 2200lb curb weight, but that car looks like it's way too big for that.

[Feyd]

looks more z4 sized to me?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Feyd

looks more z4 sized to me?

That's what I was thinking as well, but it's hard to say for sure from that pic.

[Xyloft]

looks like an E85 E86 with a cheap plastic widebody kit and electrical tape on the roundel.

i got really excited though.

[rori zahr]

when Z4 was still at a test stage it looked just like this one.

[BForbes]

That is definitely a Z4. They could be testing it with a 4cyl turbo for all we know.

[Sidh135i]

cool find!

[oasis3582]

Originally Posted by BForbes

That is definitely a Z4. They could be testing it with a 4cyl turbo for all we know.

Z4 soft top? Would still be a new car if so.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by oasis3582

Z4 soft top? Would still be a new car if so.

It looks like the previous generation more than the current one though. It's hard to tell if that's just extensive camo, or if they're just using an older body to test a new powertrain. It's kind of strange to me that they'd be doing any of this early testing in CA though. I'm honestly not sure what we're looking at here.

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by oasis3582

Z4 soft top? Would still be a new car if so.

I wouldn't be so sure... the new Z4 was seen with a faux soft top during testing to throw people off from the retractible hard top it actually had.


*edit*

Okay look at the third picture here... . After seeing this i'm 99% sure we are looking at a Z4 body.

[JasonCSU]

Sweet. I've been pretty excited about the rumored Z2 since I first read about it a couple of years ago. I'd imagine they are testing a new chassis and/or powertrain with an existing body as Jeremy suggested.

[BrokenVert]

looks like a first gen Z4. Its too early for them to be testing in Death Valley right?

[BMW269]

It looks 100% like Z4. I would say Z4 soft-top, but in some way it doesn't make any sense, unless they do a Z4 Coupé, and even then. I would say Z4 sDrive23d testing or sDrive2(x)i, 4 cylinder turbo. Or maybe early mule of Z4 M, what would be the best thing.

[ianbiz]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11004122...ach-california

The first photo of an alleged BMW Z2 roadster prototype has surfaced on a Belgium website. With rumors first originating more than 3 years ago, the photo finally confirms the development of a new Z-series car?

A Belgian expat captured the picture in Laguna Beach, California, over 100 miles away from the BMW testing facility in Oxnard. The heavily-padded car was trailing behind a BMW 5-Series GT, but does show a few details.

The lightweight car is rumored to share a platform with the next generation 1-Series, and capped off with the soft top seen here. It is believed that the top will be opened by hand, though a motorized top may be available as an option. We can see the car's dual exhaust.

Over the last three years, stories of the car weighing less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs), and using active aerodynamics have surfaced. It is expected to get the BMW petrol 1.6-liter engine lineup, as well as a 250+ horsepower 2.0-liter twin-turbo engine. The car may also come as a Z2 coupe, and be available as a diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric down the road.

As an electric vehicle, it could share the same powertrain as the MINI Cooper E. The electrified Cooper uses a 150 kW (201 bhp / 204 PS) motor that delivers 220 Nm (162 ft-lb) of torque.

Look for a BMW Z2 Concept car to appear in Paris, with a production version to hit the roads by 2013. Rumors of the car having a starting price of $30,000 could be exaggerated, since the BMW 1-Series convertible begins at $34,200.

[oasis3582]

Originally Posted by Feyd

I wouldn't be so sure... the new Z4 was seen with a faux soft top during testing to throw people off from the retractible hard top it actually had.


*edit*

Okay look at the third picture here... . After seeing this i'm 99% sure we are looking at a Z4 body.

Which begs the question, why would they be using a camo'd Z4 mule to do testing? Unless of course, that means a Z4M is on the way...

[nemex12]

it looks like a z4 but the car in front is a recent one. i dont think its an m because i think that they use to cover just the m specific parts when the base car is already out so i think that if this is a z4m it shoud have camouflaged bumpers and thats it. i dont know what to think, specially with that soft top as i dont think bmw would offer a z4m with soft top.

[Alext]

Ok so what's a Z4 prototype doing cruising the streets. Looks like BMW have something else in store for the Z4...

[Red Bread]

I lived in Laguna Beach until late last year, and before the current Z4 came out, it wasn't uncommon to see that car, and the camoed 5GT in front of it driving down PCH. I think that's just an old picture. Of course there was usually an X6M in camo too with them.