That's rather tasty.
Certainly is. You're goggling at the BMW Concept Z4, one of the German company's exhibits at this year's Concours d'Elegance event in Pebble Beach, California. Clearly there are plenty of concept-only features to help it really stand out (check out those slender door mirrors and the Energetic Orange matt paint, for starters), but we reckon this gives a very clear view of the next generation BMW Z4 road car.
It's happening, then?
Yes indeed. BMW has sai that the concept previews a series production model, 'set to be unveiled over the course of next year'. It hasn't told us much else, other than confirming it'll be rear-wheel drive. No doubt it will continue to use a line-up of turbocharged petrol engines with four and six cylinders and hopefully it'll spawn a powerful Z4 M variant, too.
What about the Z4's roof?
Sadly, we don't expect the extravagant rear buttresses to make it through to production. Spy shots of what appears to be a Z4 prototype under test at the Nürburgring show a conventional fabric roof, suggesting that BMW is ditching the folding hardtop design of this car's predecessor. That should save weight, increase boot space and reduce complexity a tad.
Is that a two-tone interior?
That's right, the Concept Z4 separates driver and passenger by colour, giving the driver prominence in terms of the angled instruments and a dark finish to differentiate it from the rest of the car. Some of the detailing looks too fancy for production (the deep steering wheel with integrated stopwatch for one, the air vents for another), but the adoption of a closely mounted touchscreen and digitally rendered instruments is likely, while the chunky gear shifter and centre console look almost ready for the showroom.
Any quotes from the design team?
Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President, BMW Group Design, said: "The BMW Concept Z4 is an all-out driving machine. Stripping the car back to the bare essentials allows the driver to experience all the ingredients of motoring pleasure with supreme directness. This is total freedom on four wheels."
Shane O' Donoghue - 17 Aug 2017