Saturday, June 18, 2011

BMW Z2

Sports cars have never been the true forte of BMW. The 507, 503, M1, Z1 and Z8 were unloved loss-markers which only attained cult status (long) after production had ended.
But the company is readying a new Z2 to launch it back in to the affordable sports car heartland. Because the Z4 coupe-convertible moved upmarket, it's left a gap for a simpler, purer Z3 successor. Here is CAR's scoop dossier on the new Z2, brought to life with our latest artist's renderings.

The BMW Z2: back-to-basics, but not necessarily front-wheel drive

BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer is reportedly not exactly a fan of the Z2, but the Munich grapevine suggests the board now understands that the brand must not surrender this segment to the competition such as the Mazda MX-5. 

The Z2 will definitely be a soft-top roadster. Better still, it will almost certainly not be front-wheel drive. But now Munich R&D types are working out whether a classic RWD matrix would work best, or whether to gamble a new 4wd platform.

BMW Z2: a four-wheel drive sports car?

There was an outcry within the community when first details of the front-wheel drive UKL1 platform for future BMWs and Minis emerged, and this protest was obviously loud enough to convince the BMW officials that 4wd is a must if UKL1 does indeed underpin the Z2.

Among the undisputed advantages of the UKL1 architecture are the early availability (spring 2014 for the roadster, autumn 2014 for the coupĂ©), the traction bonus inherent in four-wheel drive and the economies of scale offered by this high-volume matrix. On the debit side, it's hard to ignore the usual weight, space and cost penalties of all-wheel drive.

The 2-series derived, rear-drive Z2 option

Plan B suggests a launch in 2015, or even 2016. That's a long wait, but it could be worth the delay, since it may include RWD.
Plan B revolves around a modified rear-wheel drive matrix BMW is preparing for the follow-up to the 1-series coupé and cabriolet. Better still, this is not just a stop-gap measure but part of a new split and staggered game plan which ensures that both two-door 1-series cars remain RWD even beyond 2020.

source : http://www.carmagazine.co.uk

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