BMW unveiled the Z4 concept at the Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance last year and the model is continuing its slow march to
production.
Carscoops spy photographers recently caught up with the model
and they managed to get a revealing look at the interior. As you can see, the
roadster has been equipped with a new digital instrument cluster which was
recently previewed at BMW’s Digital Day event.
While the display doesn’t appear to be fully
functional, the finished product will have a large central display area that
can show useful information such as navigation data. It is flanked by a
speedometer on the left as well as a tachometer on the right. The display is
customizable and can show an assortment of other information such as the oil
temperature and current fuel economy rating.
Besides the digital instrument cluster, there’s an
upgraded infotainment system which runs on a new operating system. While the
display is turned off in these photos, BMW has previously said the new
operating system is more intuitive and has a clearer layout.
Users will be able to access the infotainment system
through touch, voice and gesture controls as well as the traditional iDrive
controller. The system is also more customizable and will anticipate the needs
of the driver.
Below the infotainment system is two air vents which
are surrounded by black trim and new switchgear. The model also has dedicated
audio controls which provide easy access to commonly used functions. Other
notable features include a stubby gear selector and a small storage compartment
which houses a USB port and what appears to be a wireless smartphone charger.
Recently caught by Konrad Fürdank and passed onto us
by his friend Steven, this prototype was caught on video while traveling near
Graz, Austria. This is certainly an interesting location as the city is home to
a Magna Steyr manufacturing plant. Reports have suggested the company would be
building the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra so it isn’t too surprising that models
would be testing in and around the city.
We’ve seen countless spy photos of the Z4 over the
past few months and the latest footage gives us an extended look at the car’s
rear end which features slim taillights and a dual exhaust system. The model is
also slated to have a sporty front bumper with a wide twin kidney grille and
sweptback headlights.
Engine options remain unconfirmed but Europe is
slated to receive an entry-level variant with a four-cylinder that produces 197
PS and 320 Nm of torque. In North America, we can
expect a slightly more powerful base model with a four-cylinder engine
developing around 250 hp. Rumors have also suggested there
will be a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine with outputs of
approximately 335 PS and 385 PS.
The BMW Z4 is expected to be unveiled this summer
before being shown at the Paris Motor Show in October.
