Rumors: BMW Z2 Coming as RWD or AWD, i8 V8 Model Axed

[ORIGIN M.]

Sounds like an ideal car.

Lets hope they don't screw it up, as Scott hints they are likely to.

Originally Posted by Jake C

Agreed those cars that offer that now are rare and usually expensive. However I think that was the original target for the Z2. I do know that safety usually equals weight. And sadly now it seems lightness equals cost. So I am holding out hope that it realistically checks in at around 2400-2600 lbs RWD and offered with the turbo 4. I guess we will find out soon enough.

- J

[Jake C]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Sounds like an ideal car.

Lets hope they don't screw it up, as Scott hints they are likely to.

Yikes. I did not know Herr Scott hinted at a screw up.

Since I am living in fantasy land let me go ahead and throw in a price guess. Z2 Coupe $32,950 Z2 Convertible $38,950 slotted just above the 128i Coupe and Convertible respectively. And below the current Z4. This price would be of course with the base 4cyl engine a premium would be charged with the turbo 4cyl and the 6cyl would not be offered.

- J

[tranquility]

Do you think it will have a hardtop or just a ragtop?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Do you think it will have a hardtop or just a ragtop?

Z2 will most certainly have a soft top.


Best regards,
south

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by southlight

Z2 will most certainly have a soft top.


Best regards,
south

Argh, that's no good.

[Jake C]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Argh, that's no good.

I think it will be good because it will help keep weight in check. The folding hardtop is nice but heavy.

- J

[mkoesel]

Personally, I think the chances of a car weighing under 3k lbs on anything but the Megacity platform are near zero.

[hector]

Originally Posted by Jake C

... This price would be of course with the base 4cyl engine a premium would be charged with the turbo 4cyl and the 6cyl would not be offered.

- J

i'd personally like to see the base model come with a 1.5ltr. turbo 3 putting out about 180hp and 190ft-lbs.(extrapolating from the specific outputs of the 2ltr. n20); this iteration would perhaps come closest to the target wt. of 2200lbs. this seems to me to be preferable to a lesser tuned, heavier and likely less fuel efficient 2ltr. perhaps this would require separate EPA certification but otherwise seems logical, imho.

[Jake C]

Originally Posted by hector

i'd personally like to see the base model come with a 1.5ltr. turbo 3 putting out about 180hp and 190ft-lbs.(extrapolating from the specific outputs of the 2ltr. n20); this iteration would perhaps come closest to the target wt. of 2200lbs. this seems to me to be preferable to a lesser tuned, heavier and likely less fuel efficient 2ltr. perhaps this would require separate EPA certification but otherwise seems logical, imho.

That could work base is a turbo 3, the step up is a NA 4 and top of the line is a turbo 4. All depends on when they bring it to market and which engines have certification at that time.

- J

[blue-coupe]

Originally Posted by Mako

The Z4 is huge compared to the original Z3. I owned a 2000 M roadster and then a 2006 M Coupe (and a Z4 roadster in between) but I could really tell the difference in size from my 2000 model to 2006, and the new Z4 is bigger than the 2006 M Coupe I had (third generation now). so there is plenty of room to make a Z2 that would be back to the original size of the Z3, plus the Z4 is really up market now, a fully loaded 35is costs more than a loaded M3!

They need a $35K roadster again, and an Z2M to match the 1M (think 2002 M Roadster/Coupe which had 330 horsepower engines, but these will be lighter and have better transmissions).

Now if only we could get a coupe version!!! my future mid life crisis car, Z2M Coupe!

YES TO THIS!!! I would buy a Z2M Coupe right now! 270+hp turbo four!! All Day, any day!

[Jake C]

I think a Z2M would be great but it makes me think of how BMW will prioritize the pecking order. They can't have the 1M and/or the Z2M (if they make one) too close to the M3's heels (the current 1M is close enough which is why I think no Z2 will have a 6 cyl.)

- J

[hector]

Originally Posted by Jake C

... I think no Z2 will have a 6 cyl.)

- J

even the next 1M/M1/M2 etc. will be a 4cyl. so there's no chance of a Z2 having more than 4 cylinders.

[tommy]

Which is a good thing. No need to encourage BMW to creep up the food chain, the way that they have with the Z4.

A lightweight 4, turbocharged, reasonably priced soft top roadster should be the goal. Otherwise, there's really no need for it in the lineup.

Though, after having driven the 500 on Sunday, the Abarth is looking good, and will be here earlier than the Z2 (if ever).

[Jake C]

Originally Posted by hector

even the next 1M/M1/M2 etc. will be a 4cyl. so there's no chance of a Z2 having more than 4 cylinders.

Sound reasoning.

I wonder when we may begin to see a concept of the Z2 make it's way to an Auto Show?

- J

[mikeinsf]

Any FWD car with a BMW badge would be an abomination.

[tommy]

Originally Posted by mikeinsf

Any FWD car with a BMW badge would be an abomination.

Get ready for a heap of disappointment, then.