BMW Z4 with folding hardtop spied
04-16-08, 03:40 PM
#1
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BMW Z4 with folding hardtop spied
That's a folding hardtop on this BMW Z4 prototype.
By DALE JEWETT
It's another fine day on the test track as a BMW roadster--with some groovy camouflage--zips by.
But take a closer look at the photos and you see that this roadster--a redesign for the Z4 that's due out next year as a 2010 model--has a folding hardtop.
Sure, the top on this prototype looks like it is made of fabric, but closer inspection shows that it looks like fabric has been put over the solid roof panels--note the cut line in the roof, near the rear window.
Peering past the psychedelic coverings, the new Z4 is gaining a more muscular look and grows about 1 inch in overall length and width. The roadster runs on the same chassis as the recently launched 3 series.
BMW plans to fit the new Z4 with more-powerful engines, including talk of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, and a diesel. Fans of the M performance range might even see the M3's 4.0-liter V8 slipped under the new Z4's hood. The engines will also likely be fitted with stop/start technology to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions.
It's another fine day on the test track as a BMW roadster--with some groovy camouflage--zips by.
But take a closer look at the photos and you see that this roadster--a redesign for the Z4 that's due out next year as a 2010 model--has a folding hardtop.
Sure, the top on this prototype looks like it is made of fabric, but closer inspection shows that it looks like fabric has been put over the solid roof panels--note the cut line in the roof, near the rear window.
Peering past the psychedelic coverings, the new Z4 is gaining a more muscular look and grows about 1 inch in overall length and width. The roadster runs on the same chassis as the recently launched 3 series.
BMW plans to fit the new Z4 with more-powerful engines, including talk of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, and a diesel. Fans of the M performance range might even see the M3's 4.0-liter V8 slipped under the new Z4's hood. The engines will also likely be fitted with stop/start technology to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions.
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04-16-08, 05:51 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
I don't see how that can be a factory prototype, even heavily disguised. 
Look at those wheels. The rims are rolling practically right on the pavement...I've never seen tires with that low a profile on a production car, especially a stock factory design. And the body itself, under the fenders and doors, doesn't clear the pavement by even two inches.
Look at those wheels. The rims are rolling practically right on the pavement...I've never seen tires with that low a profile on a production car, especially a stock factory design. And the body itself, under the fenders and doors, doesn't clear the pavement by even two inches.
04-16-08, 06:04 PM
#12
I don't see how that can be a factory prototype, even heavily disguised.
Look at those wheels. The rims are rolling practically right on the pavement...I've never seen tires with that low a profile on a production car, especially a stock factory design. And the body itself, under the fenders and doors, doesn't clear the pavement by even two inches.
Look at those wheels. The rims are rolling practically right on the pavement...I've never seen tires with that low a profile on a production car, especially a stock factory design. And the body itself, under the fenders and doors, doesn't clear the pavement by even two inches.
04-16-08, 07:28 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Maybe so. Good point, Henry....I hadn't considered that. But, even so, those tires look dangerously thin for a public road, with no pothole protection at all for the wheels (of course, in the picture, that may be a track and not a public road).
04-16-08, 07:32 PM
#14
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its the banking
it could also be turning at that sloped left bank on the nurburgring where its hard to see part of the tires from that perspective due to the curvature of the road
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