The plug is rumored to have been pulled on the upcoming BMW Z2 roadster.

BMW has reportedly decided to kill several projects that were started under outgoing CEO Dr. Norbert Reithofer.

According to Automobile’s sources, these doomed models include the 9-Series Coupe, the Z2 Roadster, the i8S and the highly-anticipated M8 which was rumored to be a modern day successor to the iconic M1.

While the news is unfortunate, the cancellations haven’t affected the i5 which is scheduled to be green-lighted in October. It will reportedly ride on the company’s new rear-wheel drive platform and be about as long as the i8 but roomier than the 3-Series.

The electric verison is slated to feature two electric motors – with outputs of approximately 225 bhp and 135 bhp – while the plug-in hybrid is expected to use either a 1.5-liter three-cylinder or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as well as a 275 bhp electric motor and a 75+ kW battery. It everything pans out, the latter model will have a combined maximum output of up to 400 bhp which should be enough to allow it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds.

The i5 will reportedly be launched in 2019 and cost approximately $5,500 more than the upcoming 3-Series plug-in hybrid.”

BMW inside Scott26 dishes on the future BMW Z roadster lineup, including the Z1, Z3 and Z5.

The new Z models take their BMW design from a progression of the Vision ConnectedDrive Concept Car like the car below with a more angular and technical language recently seen on the BMW Vision Future Luxury.

All BMWs will retain the essential BMW roadster cues such as being so close to the road and the seats almost on the rear axle. A long bonnet and short rear overhang and raked rear wards front screen and a driver focused cockpit.

What I know is there is a general architecture that is modular and is different sized in each application is scaleable to cover small , medium and large applications.

The smaller one accommodates the Z3 or the GT86 replacement (or maybe a new Celica or MR2?)
The medium one will apply to the Z5 and Supra replacement .

The Z1 will be based on the BMW developed UKL architecture.

The outstanding thing is that the companies are pooling all resources so you are talking about Supercar tech such as Carbon Fibre being used in very expansive ways blended in with high strength steel , magnesium ,thermoplastic and aluminium. What I have learned it is a very beneficial feat for both companies and is currently the envy of the industry.
Some people have their nose out of joint over this arrangement.

The larger application becomes much interesting as the structural pillars and roof structure will also be CFRP. This is the larger plan destined to accommodate the next 6er and a new Lexus Coupe above the recently unveiled RZ.

The Z3 will be the sportiest Z yet combining lightweight engineering and dynamic performance from its rear wheel drive drivetrain. There is a soft top to keep weight down.

The Z3 is also under discussion to use an adaptation of BMWs new three cylinder engine as well as four and six cylinders.

The Z5 comes first. But the image attached is a look at what the Z3 could be.

More info as of 9/11/14:

The Z4 becomes the Z5 and will share with a Toyota as will a Z3 Both are RWD.
The engineering schematics for the Carbon intensive architecture is impressive. You are going to see so much for so little with the combined force of BMW and Toyota using all their resources available.

BMW wants to re-invent its Z series sports cars and make them as cutting edge and influential as the BMWi models by visual appearance and state of the art engineering to highlight a new BMW philosophy for sports cars.

Vision ConnectedDrive and 328 Homage concepts are the template for the visuals. Plans also include a slightly massaged three cylinder entirely unique and exclusive in the Z3 Mille Miglia mimicking the classic 328 to provide excellent dynamics using lightweight materials.

But since Toyota are using the joint architecture for a next gen GT86 based Sedan, its one idea under discussion in Munich, essentially a four dr Z model and potentially an SAV Z model. Nothing has come to light yet but it is a niche that BMW are investigating.

When BMW decided to rename the BMW Z3 to Z4 about a decade ago, it made for a gap in BMW’s lineup. While the Z4 moved up the status ladder it also lost some of the virtues the old BMW Z3 had, like low weight, agility and outright fun. The current Z4 for example weighs almost as much as the F30 3 Series.

It comes as no surprise then that BMW is said to be considering the introduction of a smaller roadster filling the gap the Z3 left when it went out of production. If Autocar’s report is to be believed, they got information on the new Z2 by an official yet unnamed BMW source:

“We are considering a car in the spirit of the original Z3,” a BMW official revealed to Autocar. “It is of similar size to the Z3 but is planned to use the front-wheel-drive platform to keep costs down and achieve a margin level that ensures it is sustainable at comparatively low production volumes.”

You might remember that we’ve been mentioning a possible Z2 for quite some time, so we are inclined to believe this report. The only downside is that — contrary to early reports about the Z2 — the car BMW is now considering has to share its underpinnings with BMW’s new FWD platform. While we do not doubt the abilities of small, light, and not too powerful FWD cars, a RWD Z2 would have made for all the more fun. Also, with a RWD 2 Series Coupe and Convertible lineup on the horizon (see our spyshots and info compilation HERE), we were hoping the Z2 would follow their lead.

BMW apparently doesn’t share our sentiment as Autocar is quoting another BMW official:

“We are moving with the times to diversify our customer base [. . .] There is no reason why a front-wheel-drive car can’t offer a similar dynamic experience to a rear-wheel-drive car. The advancement of various driving aids, with features such as electronic differentials, virtually eliminates the influence of drive forces on the steered wheels when done properly.”

There’s still plenty of time to speculate about this car as BMW won’t be rolling out the Z2 before 2015. We will keep you updated either way.

BMW inside Scott26 has posted the following summary of the upcoming 1 series, 2 series, M2, Z1, Z2, and X2 lineup, as plans stand now.

By 2020. BMW hope to have projected sales of over two million units.

The larger majority of this level of sales will be combined MINI/BMW based upon the UKL architecture of around 600,000 units , then you can factor in another large number of dedicated SAV sales before we get to the regular series models. As I have said before welcome to the automobile industry.

It is easy for the question “if I was in charge this what I would do?” But today you have to take in consideration of growing segments , established segments , established markets , new markets and exploiting new niche’s. Something BMW is well adapt in.

The rise of the compact premium car is effectively down to current situations. Why are mainstream volume manufacturers struggling in europe when Premium compact cars from Premium manufacturers are creating growth? Nearly twenty years ago we something similar in the executive side of the market , Premium manufacturers wiped out mainstream manufacturers market share practically overnight.
Potentially a similar act can happen again.

MINI currently has a razor-thin profit margin on the standard car , where BMW makes its money with MINI is in the purchase of specific packages and extended personalisation. The next MINI launched next summer will not only help MINI make money off of personalisation , but the car will become more profitable for the first time in its life span. Modern car making is now down to cost and sharing modular architecture provides a cost-effective option.

Individuality is the key to distinguish the BMW from the MINI. Which is why the BMW Active Tourer Concept and its sister car the MINI Traveller which will be seen very soon are effectively the same car but you will never know it everything that should be BMW is BMW and everything that is MINI is MINI. From the design , switchear and even how the car acts the brief was always about distinguishing one brand from another.

If you take the example here. The artist understands the DNA aspect and that a 3dr and 5dr hatch will be coming to rival the Audi A1. That car is derived from the Active Tourer but his its own appearance that benefits its premium entry status. with the proprtions shrunk this render minus the front shows the outline and surfacing of the hatch and it is just not a MINI re-badged with a BMW badge.

To provide greater economies of scale A FWD BMW sedan will become part of the new BMW FWD family. Expanding BMW’s entry sporthatch to include a sedan variant aimed at markets for rising sales of small sedans.

As BMW announced lately that up to 11 models could appear from BMW on the UKL architecture with MINI, providing better profits and increased global sales for the small cars division.

So far the FWD BMW/MINI UKL family stands as…

BMW 1 Series Urbanic Compact 3/5dr – Upcoming City hatch based on next MINI, BMW’s Audi A1 rival.
MINI 3/5dr – Increased demand leads to the next generation MINI due next year with five drs for the 1st time.

BMW 1 Series Sedan – Baby sedan off the UKL architecture aimed at global markets for small sedans.
MINI Sedan – Sporty four dr MINI aimed at increasing markets for MINI products, potentially could be MINI’s best global seller overtaking the Countryman.

BMW 1 Series Active Tourer – Production version of Active Tourer Concept launched at Iaa 2013.
MINI Traveller – MINI variant of the Active Tourer. Designed to show how both cars can co-exist with individual style and flexibility.

BMW 1 Series Urbanic Roadster – BMW’s open top variant of the City car inherits two seats only with a rear deck with layed butresses like the BMW 6er Cabrio and BMW i8 designed for clip on roof panel.
MINI Cabrio – Latest F56 rendition of the popular open top MINI.

BMW Z1 Sportster – To provide greater economies of scale The Z1 will be BMW’s equivalent to the MINI Coupe and Roadster , but will be FWD and powered by more powerful three cylinder engines. Design derived from well-received 2011 Vision ConnectedDrive concept car.
MINI Roadster – Next Roadster and Coupe will launch with a sportier look which is completely seperate from the standard MINI. MINI design elements will feature but bodywork is not based on the hatch family.

BMW Z1 SportCoupe – Coupe version of the Z1 will complete the BMW Z twins against the MINI twins.
MINI Coupe – Coupe version of Roadster , more individual in appearance.

BMW X1 – Next generation of highly successful SAV moves to the UKL architecture to offer more flexibility.
Also available with xDrive.
MINI Countryman – Next generation of the global MINI juggernaut. heavily shared with BMW X1.

BMW X2 – Sport Activity Coupe variant of the next BMW X1 , FWD with optional xDrive and the first BMW SAC to appear as both a 3dr and 5dr.
MINI Paceman/XL – Next generation of new MINI member will be offered with five dr version as well as 3dr.

BMW F.amily A.ctivity S.ports T.ourer – BMW’s hybrid of SAV solidity , MPV space and Touring bodystyle.
MINI Clubman – Current car revisited with more style and more flexibility , more of a Shooting Brake with dynamic raked roof and forward looking proportions.

And of course the next generation 1 Series due in 2017 will resort to being FWD.

Then you can begin the RWD Compact family.

BMW 2 Series Coupe – Coupe version of the 1er hatch. Unique front and rear style , with more sleeker rounded roof but still compact proportions. Premieres IAA 2013.
BMW 2 Series Cabrio – Cabrio version continues unique appearance of the Coupe , retains soft-top.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe – 4dr addition of 2er Coupe with slightly lengthened wheelbase and roof line, aimed at BMW’s RWD dominance against Audi A3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA. [More Details]
BMW 2 Series Gran Sports Tourer – Hyundai Veloster type A-symmetrical Tourer Coupe inspired by classic 2002 Touring variant, has many admirers in Munich. [More Details]

BMW M2 Coupe – Successor to the BMW 1er M Coupe continues the same formula that made the last car be memorable, no huge competitor in the HP race , four cylinder will bring less weight , which matter most as does more enjoyment and overall feel is considered to be more of a priority than who has the biggest numbers.
BMW M2 Gran Coupe – Baby Coupe inherits a four door brother – 340 HP , Four doors and RWD , Direct competitor to the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG. [More Details]

The ever persistent rumors of a BMW supercar surfaces again. This time, Automobile claims that a 600+ hp BMW M8 supercar is headed for a 2016 debut (to celebrate BMW’s 100th anniversary).

Although BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is said to be ambivalent on the idea of a supercar, BMW M President Dr. Friedrich Nitschke remains dogged on the project while getting creative by considering the production of the M8 on the same carbon fiber / aluminum platform as the i8 hybrid electric sports car. This would not only create production economies of scale (less expensive production costs) while also giving the M8 a significant weight advantage over its rivals.

If such a supercar was indeed built, giving it an M8 nameplate shouldn’t pose an issue or conflict. Unlike the 1 Series M Coupe which was not badged as the M1 because of the already existing legendary car from the late 70’s, an M version of the 8 Series never saw production. There was a single prototype M8 built and powered by a 550hp version of the BMW M70 V12 engine, but it never made it to production and BMW built the 375hp 850CSi instead.

Or, this supercar may not even be badged as an M8, but receive an even higher designation – such as the M10, a name which BMW trademarked this year [see list]. An M1 nameplate revival was also rumored earlier this year.

While a BMW supercar may yet come, the rumored Z2 roadster is reportedly stillborn, at least in RWD form. CEO Reithofer reportedly nixed the return of a compact RWD roadster because the numbers did not work out. If a compact roadster returns at some point in the future, it will be built on a FWD platform which it will share with the MINI convertible.

* The image used for illustration above is an artist’s render only and is not based on any particular rumors or clues as to what an M8/M10 successor may resemble.

The current Z4 (E89) looks the part, but a prevailing sentiment among auto enthusiasts seems to be that its performance and driving dynamics do not quite live up to its sporty looks.

This may be changing in the next generation Z4 as Insideline is reporting that the third generation Z4 will feature a sportier and more engaging driving experience.

Besides the obvious mechanical changes which will occur, some of the styling is also said to be changing to help achieve this – by shortening the front hood just a bit, while still keeping the proportionately longer front end look. Don’t expect too radical of a change or styling however, as it will still conform with the BMW design group’s late policy of creating more timeless designs which look good for 15 years.

The handling balance of the next-generation Z4 will also benefit from the bigger role played by the downsized four-cylinder N20 engines recently introduced in the current model, with this lighter power unit producing a more favorable weight distribution.

If the current E89 Z4’s sticks to traditional BMW model life cycles, the next Z4 will be due around 2015.

We hope that all this means the next Z4 will pose some challenge to the Porsche Boxster, but if not, let’s see a Z2 roadster which will, BMW!

Happy New Year to the entire BIMMERPOST community! As we cross over to a new year it’s a fitting time for a recap of the past year. It was an amazing year for BMW, with the company hitting sales records and many new important models making their debuts. 2012 should prove to be as successful, if not more. And we’ll be seeing some new models and facelifts coming. We recap the BMW 2011 year for you inside.

The Z2 has been rumored to be on the table for quite some time now. So much so, that its basicly a real car, even though a single spy photo has yet to surface. If a car like this does come out, what we know for sure is what the name tells us, this is a Roadster (Z) and it will be small (2). Beyond that, the speculation has suggested the car would be ultra-light, possibly FWD, possibly RWD, 3-cylinder or 4-cylinder engines, basicly the entire gambit.

However, now CAR Magazine boldly claims to have scooped a few more details about the car. The Z2s underlying vision is a small lightweight Z3-ish roadster with a retractable canvas top. The big question is now what type of drive will the car use? FWD, RWD or AWD?

The decision about the Z2 going with RWD or AWD actually revolves around which platform BMW decides to use for the Z2. There is the new UKL1 platform which will underpin the next generation of MINI vehicles as well as BMWs. This platform is ready to go now (BMW could get the car out faster) and brings AWD to the table.

The second possibility: put the car on a new platform which is being developed to underpin the upcoming 1-Series Coupe (or 2-Series if name change rumors are true). This new platform will take longer to develop, however it would guarantee the Z2 as a rear wheel drive vehicle.

CAR also confirms the rumors that the Z2 is being concieved as both a roadster and a coupe.

With the Z2/Z1’s move to the FWD UKL platform, the return of the BMW Z3 (RWD) is currently being considered. The new Z3 would come in traditional soft-top and coupe versions and would be based on the F20 1-series generation’s modular platform.

But it doesn’t end there for BMW’s roadster lineup changes. The Z4 would be renamed the Z5 which would allow it to grow in size and for the smaller Z3 to slot in under it in the roadster lineup. The Z5 would utilize the F30 3-series generation platform.

The next few years look to be potentially exciting for fans of BMW roadster fans, as the potential lineup could look like:

BMW Z1: UKL FWD platform, soft top roadster
BMW Z3: F20 1-series generation platform, soft top and coupe versions
BMW Z5 (formerly Z4): F30 3-series generation platform, hardtop roadster