carscoop: BMW Z4

Showing posts with label BMW Z4. Show all posts

BMW and Zagato Get Together Again to Create a Striking Roadster Concept

After the positive reaction the Z4-based Zagato Coupe concept received at the Concorso d’Elleganza Villa d’Este in Italy earlier this year, BMW chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk and Andrea Zagato decided to collaborate again and produce yet another concept, this time for the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

The fruit of this collaboration, which appeared in an obscure teaser image a couple of days ago, is a roadster version of the Zagato Coupe that we saw in Italy. One may assume that BMW and Zagato have simply taken that car and chopped off the roof (which would be ironic, since the Z4 is a roadster), but this is not the case.

The BMW Zagato Roadster, which was constructed in just six weeks, certainly looks a lot like its fixed-roof sibling.

But that's not a bad thing as the aggressive, “three dimensional” (in Zagato talk) front end with the large air intakes, contoured hood with integral air scoops, the black A-pillars, the sculpted sides and the overall solid stance and minimal overhangs of the concept make for a muscular look.

BMW Bringing M8 Prototype and Zagato Coupe Study to The Legends of the Autobahn

A blast from the past and the most recent concept study to wear the blue and white roundel will highlight BMW's presence at The Legends of the Autobahn 2012, which takes place on Friday, August 17, at the Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley, California.

The fourth annual all-German brand Concours, which is hosted by the BMW Car Club of America, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, the Porsche Club of America and the Audi Club of North America, will play host to the North American premiere of the BMW M8 prototype and the Z4 Zagato Coupe.

The M8 Coupe project was never displayed at a show and many believed it had been destroyed until the Bavarian automaker opened the gates of its M-brand's vault in 2009 revealing it along with other gems such as the E34 M5 Cabriolet and E36 M3 Compact.

Scoop: BMW Begins Work on Z4 Roadster Facelift

We knew that it was time for BMW to begin preparing its Z4 hardtop-roadster for a mid-life update as it has been four years since the introduction of the second generation model (codenamed E89), and now we can show you spy photos of the first prototype.

As you can see for yourself, this particular test car suggests that the styling changes are to be restricted to the headlamp and tail lamp graphics, and the front-fender ornaments and side markers.

2013 BMW Z4 Speculatively Facelifted After the New 3-Series

The second generation of the BMW Z4 roadster that swapped its predecessor's soft top for a retractable metal roof has been with us since 2009, meaning if the Germans stick to their usual product timeline, we should see a mid-life facelift within the next year.

BMW's recent history tells us that these updates vary from barely noticeable styling tweaks like the 2013 7-Series F/L to somewhat more visible changes as was the case with 2009 E90 3-Series F/L.

2012 Concorso d'Eleganza Through the Eyes of the BMW Group and then Some More

You know the old adage you can never get enough of a good thing, right? Well, in the case of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d’Este 2012, this definitely holds true.

After bringing you photos and separate reports on the bespoke design studies that debuted at last weekend's vintage and concept car show in Italy, we now have a few videos to share with you.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2012 in Pictures

Last weekend, the luxurious Grand Hotel Villa d'Este overseeing the scenic shores of Lake Como in northern Italy played host to the annual Concorso d'Eleganza vintage-car event.

On display at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este were a range of classic cars and motorcycles as well as several new concept models including the Aston Martin AM310 that previews the brand's replacement for the DBS and the BMW Zagato Coupe based on the Z4 roadster, both of which made their world premiere at the prestigious show.

BMW Drops New Video Footage of Z4 Zagato Coupe

As the main sponsor of the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza held at Villa d’Este, on Lake Como in northern Italy, the BMW Group occasionally feels the need to prepare something special for the show.

After last year's retro-futuristic 328 Roadster, a conceptual homage to the original model from the 1930s and the M1 Homage Concept in 2008, BMW readied a more down to earth concept based on the Z4 series and designed in collaboration with renowned Italian coachbuilder Zagato for this weekend's event.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe Unveiled Ahead of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Should it be Built?

From the late 1990s, BMW has been producing coupe versions of its Z series roadsters, namely the Z3 Coupe and the first generation of the Z4, both of which adopted a "love or loathe it but you cannot ignore it" kind of styling.

By replacing the soft-top with a retractable hardtop on the second-generation Z4 roadster, many assumed that the move would mean the end of the coupe model.

Today, however, BMW presented a new study for a Z4 Coupe designed by famed Italian studio Zagato in advance of its world premiere at the upcoming Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

The Italian firm's vision of a Z4 Coupe embodies traditional Zagato styling traits such as the double bubble roof and the classic Kamm Tail. But there is more to the Zagato Coupe as virtually every panel of the Z4 roadster has been redesigned.

Among other highlights that stand out are the countless small matt Zagato “z” letters that make up the double kidney grille, an elongated bonnet with air scoops and more muscular rear fenders.