Currently reading: Why the new BMW Z4 matters
With the reveal of the new BMW Z4 on the horizon, we discuss why the model really matters

BMW will continue to build sports cars such as the upcoming BMW Z4 alongside a growing line-up of SUVs in order to underline its reputation for making ‘the ultimate driving machines’. 

That’s the view of Peter Langen, BMW ’s driving dynamics boss, whose firm is currently tuning the new version of the two-seat convertible ahead of its launch next year. 

The Z4 has now been revealed - take a look here

As with many cars firms, BMW is rapidly expanding its range of SUVs and the development of hybrid models. Asked to gauge the value to BMW of making the Z4 a driver’s car, Langen said: “For us, it’s really important. We made a decision to have more SUVs because customers want to have these cars, but it’s also important to underline sportiness and joy, which are the brand values of BMW. The Z4 will show those values very well.” 

BMW has invested heavily in a new architecture for the Z4. The outgoing model was criticised for its handling and ride, and Langen said it was important for the firm to address that. “The task was to build a new sporty open car, not a follower of the old Z4,” he said. “They’re completely different. We designed the new Z4 as a new kind of sportiness.” 

BMW Z4 prototype 2018: first drive of new roadster

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

BMW’s Porsche Boxster rival is better to drive than ever, although it still makes a better high-day open-top cruiser than a true sports car

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

Join the debate

Comments
8
Add a comment…
spqr 12 June 2018

Broken record

symanski carps on and on about BMWs “unreliability” and has done for years. He can’t grasp that the original source of his gripe was a type of engine that had well known nikasil coating issues that BMW rectified very quickly and no longer uses and has not done so for well over a decade if not two. He also cannot seem to understand that consumer protection legislation in the USA is far more robust than the laws in England and Wales  and far more in favour of the consumer. It has been so since the 1970s or 40+ years. Ironically it feels like 40+ years that he has been droning on and on about his pet peeves. The latest recall for BMW E9x models has been done now. Perhaps BMW should have acted quicker but it has acted within the laws of the countries where it operates and compared to the recalls of millions of Toyotas and Lexus in the early 00s this recall is very minor and affects relatively few BMWs. I wonder if Symanski will do his own research into Toyota or Ford or GM or any other car maker that has had far bigger reliability and recall issues than BMW? Hopefully he will then shut up. 

Scoobman 12 June 2018

Why the new BMW Z4 matters

So... why does it matter? The article fails to answer the question it poses.

 

Symanski 12 June 2018

German or Japanese reliability?

Hopefully Toyota's influence on the engineering means it will be a reliabile BMW.   That will make a refreshing change.

 

Morangie57 12 June 2018

Symanski wrote:

Symanski wrote:

Hopefully Toyota's influence on the engineering means it will be a reliabile BMW.   That will make a refreshing change.

 

As a newcomer on this forum I'm interested to read varying opinions but OMG you are so predictable. Do you ever comment on anything apart from BMW "reliability"? Plus you can't spell properly --- "reliabile" LOL

robhardyuk 12 June 2018

.

Morangie57 wrote:
Symanski wrote:

Hopefully Toyota's influence on the engineering means it will be a reliabile BMW.   That will make a refreshing change.

 

As a newcomer on this forum I'm interested to read varying opinions but OMG you are so predictable. Do you ever comment on anything apart from BMW "reliability"? Plus you can't spell properly --- "reliabile" LOL

 

Yes he is rather boring isn't he. 

jamesf1 12 June 2018

but entitled to his opinion

and its a fair point

Symanski 12 June 2018

Yet honest and true.

Morangie57 wrote:

As a newcomer on this forum I'm interested to read varying opinions but OMG you are so predictable. Do you ever comment on anything apart from BMW "reliability"? Plus you can't spell properly --- "reliabile" LOL

 

Have you seen the recent news reports about BMW not covering safety issues in the UK but already have in the USA?   Same for other design flaws they have in their cars.   Other parts of the world are getting them fixed by BMW, but not in the UK.   Try doing your own research.

 

And there's no spellcheck in this text box to pick up on typos.