This is our best look yet on the 2018 BMW Z4 as test
cars appear to have dropped a significant amount of camouflage. The test car now features the
production kidney grille up front, along with what looks like the finished bumpers,
with the body just covered by a thin layer of the classic swirly wrap.
The new BMW Z4 is riding on a new platform that
according to reports was engineered for use with electrified powertrains as
well as all-drive systems. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last
two years, you’d know by now that BMW and Toyota co-developed the platform as
it’s going to also form the basis for the hotly-anticipated new Supra.
So far we’ve heard that BMW will offer the 2019 Z4
just in the classic rear-drive configuration, leaving Toyota alone to play with
electrification and all-wheel drive applications. We also heard that the
Bavarians are planning a proper M version this time as part of the BMW M’s new
expansion plan that includes launching 26 new models by 2021.
Entry-level versions of the 2019 BMW Z4 will be
powered by a turbocharged 2,0-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed
manual transmission, making 194 Hp and 320 Nm of torque. A more
powerful version of the same engine will appear on the sDrive 30i models. BMW
will also equip the new Z4 with a six-cylinder B58 engine in the M40i version.
We don’t know what engine is going to be used in the M version but last time
BMW built a Z4M they’ve used the same powertrain with the M3.
Production of the 2019 BMW Z4 is expected to begin
in November 2018, with the launch expected in early 2019.
Cr : Carscoops