StasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1874 times:
Following several spy photos and photo leaks, BMW has officially unveiled the 2010 Z4 before its official unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show next month. The all-new Z4 will be on sale to consumers starting in the fall of 2009.
2010 BMW Z4 Convertible
The new Z4 gets all-new styling that is both more aggressive (front end) and cleaner (back end). A new Z4 has a two-piece retractable hard-top that ditches the soft-top from the last generation.
The Z4 also employs BMW's new naming scheme (sDrive) with the sDrive30i and sDrive35i. The sDrive30i is powered by a 255 horsepower 3.0L 6-cylinder engine and the sDrive35i is powered by the 300 horsepower 3.0L twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine. Both engines can be mated to either a a 6-speed manual or a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The sDrive30i is also available with a six-speed automatic. Zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds (5.1 seconds for a Double Clutch Transmission-equipped car) and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. The Z4's strong performance credentials are matched in terms of economy and emissions. The Z4 sDrive35i is estimated at combined fuel economy figure of 31 mpg and CO2 emissions of 219g/km.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 2, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1858 times:
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Perhaps in another few years, the tops of the doors will extend above the driver's head. What is it with the ever-higher beltlines coming from auto manufacturers?
I think it looks worse than the current version. It's too softened. I think the current version looks more aggressive. But I'm only really into the M Coupes so I'll wait and see what that version of it looks like.
Quoting Superfly (Reply 1): Just another over-priced, over-engineered car from BMW.
With the exception of the GT-40 (which was mostly engineered outside of the US anyways) I much rather have that BMW than any of the over-priced and under-engineered steaming piles of feces that the big three dare call "sports cars" .
Cptkrell From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 2549 posts, RR: 14 Reply 5, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1823 times:
Certainly an improvement over previous BMW "Donald Ducks".
As far as the high belt line, it's probably more optical because of the windshield rake. Typically the belt will flow from the cowl fiduciary point at the base of the A-pillar unless it is intentionally forced to be lower or higher than the cowl once the belt transmits into the door after the A-pillar. I don't find BMW's styling solution objectionable.
BTW, on the doors comment; the GT40 was conceived as a quick entry/egress racing car and the extra headroom for drivers to bail in/bail out was a real plus on a LeMans-style start and quick driver changes with such a low roofline. Anyone remember the GT40 MKIV (J car) that actually had a little head-clearance aero bump on the roof to accomodate taller drivers?
That said, doors that extend into the roof are simply less functional for a myriad of reasons unless you want to ga-ga the custom show car crowd. regards...jack
SkyyKat From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1821 times:
I think you are all nuts! Looks amazing, BMW although not my forte, they always make a beautiful car and this is no exception.
I have driven almost every model from the past 5 years or so.... So Mr. Superfly there is no such thing as over engineering. They are a great drive and I cant wait to take this one for a spin!
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 7, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1815 times:
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Quoting Cptkrell (Reply 5): As far as the high belt line, it's probably more optical because of the windshield rake.
I'm not convinced. We can see a bit of light above the rear view mirror, which indicates the camera is positioned above the mirror.
The window sill is at or above the driver's shoulder. The side-view mirror is at or above the driver's nose. And this is from a high perspective. Lower the camera to the level of the driver's eyes, and even less of the driver would be visible to us.
That's a pretty darn high belt line, in my opinion.
Cptkrell From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 2549 posts, RR: 14 Reply 8, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1800 times:
2H4...the belt height begins at the same height as the bottom of the windshield A-pillar. To lower the belt you would have to force the design of the belt downward from this point.
Reference to positioning of RV mirrors, those positions are dictated by the 95% (or maybe it's now 97 percentile) FMVSS optical placements and as long as they meet the 95% optical spectrum with in the designed-in seat adjustment position, they can be placed anywhere as long as the minimum RV requirements are met. This is not a good judge of belt height.
Furthermore, BMW photogs might have a dwarf in the car to make people think it's got a lot of headroom regards...jack
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 9, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1794 times:
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Ok, that certainly explains the placement of the side-view mirrors, but I still find it odd that from a position above the rear-view mirror, we cannot clearly see the driver's shoulders.
Compared to similar cars from 5-10 years ago, this seems extreme. I've noticed an ever-increasing sill-height in the Volkswagen Golf series, for example. The Mk.IV and earlier offer great visibility all around, but the visibility in my Mk.V seems worse. It seems as though the tall sill height prevents me from looking down at curbs or potholes. The BMW 3-Series has evolved in a similar manner. So has the Mazda Miata. I suspect it's a result of more stringent side-impact regulations.
Of course, your dwarf theory is quite plausible, as well.
StasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1779 times:
Quoting Cptkrell (Reply 8): Furthermore, BMW photogs might have a dwarf in the car to make people think it's got a lot of headroom
BMW does own Mini, does it not?
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
Lincoln From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3887 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1738 times:
Quoting StasisLAX (Thread starter): The new Z4 looks better than the previous version, but is still no match to the Porsche Cayman's styling, IMO. Your thoughts, fellow motorheads?
Not a motorhead, but the Z4 has long been the car that "I'm about to buy" (it would have finally happened last summer but I decided to blow the chunk of savings I was planning for the Z4 on a downpayment for my house), but... I'm not sure I dig the new styling. IMHO (and I know I'm in a rather small group here) the current Z4 is the best looking car on the road, and the side profile is a large part of my feelings on the subject.
I think I'm down with the 2-peice hard top, but the side styling from the photo I don't really like as compared to the current design... Maybe I'll need to accelerate my purchase plans... and BMW sales folk here who want to make me a sweet deal, PM me I'll consider anything '05 or newer, great credit and a a decent down payment.
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StasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (4 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1680 times:
Quoting Bill142 (Reply 13): Quoting 2H4 (Reply 2):
What is it with the ever-higher beltlines coming from auto manufacturers?
Occupant safety.
And the new Z4 is a hardtop convertible, which means the rear will have a higher deck height so the roof mechanism and the roof itself have enough space to be housed.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
Cadet57 From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 9081 posts, RR: 34 Reply 20, posted (4 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1495 times:
Flight152 From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 3291 posts, RR: 7 Reply 21, posted (4 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1488 times:
Quoting SkyyKat (Reply 18): I dont think they have the coupes in North america.
The Non-M coupe based on the Z4 was indeed sold in North America, although i'm not sure it existed for the Z3.
Quoting Cadet57 (Reply 20): Just like all of BMW's current cars. Fugly.
You call this ugly, and want to buy a Crown Victoria?
Cadet57 From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 9081 posts, RR: 34 Reply 22, posted (4 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1487 times:
Quoting Flight152 (Reply 21): You call this ugly, and want to buy a Crown Victoria?
That isnt as bad as the monstrosity that is the 5 or 7 series, what is that, a 3 series coupe? As for the vic, they're solid, practical cars. Plus that 5.4L V8 is beefy. If I could afford a big luxury car, Id buy this:
Doors open, right hand side, next stop is Springfield.
Keesje From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1299 times:
Quoting StasisLAX (Thread starter): The Z4's strong performance credentials are matched in terms of economy and emissions. The Z4 sDrive35i is estimated at combined fuel economy figure of 31 mpg and CO2 emissions of 219g/km.
CainanUK From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2002, 547 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1266 times:
Quoting Superfly (Reply 1): Just another over-priced, over-engineered car from BMW.
As opposed to the under-engineered, unable to actually TURN at any rate of speed OVERpriced CRAP that Detroit spews out? I wil take German engineering ANY day!
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 25, posted (4 years 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 1206 times:
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Quoting CainanUK (Reply 24): As opposed to the under-engineered, unable to actually TURN at any rate of speed OVERpriced CRAP that Detroit spews out?
I'm a fan of German engineering, too, but the Chevrolet Corvette disproves every part of the above sentence.
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They are a great drive and I cant wait to take this one for a spin!
regards...jack
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I'll consider anything '05 or newer, great credit and a a decent down payment.
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