BMW yesterday unveiled two
concept vehicles during its annual Monterey Car Week Press Conference at the
Lodge at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Reviewing Stand. The first concept
car unveiled is the BMW Concept 8 Series that was first shown at the Concorso
d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May. The second is the World Premiere of the BMW
Concept Z4. Both concepts are previews of the series production cars set to be
revealed over the course of next year.
The BMW Concept Z4 Roadster
is sporty and progressive BMW design study encapsulating the BMW Group’s vision
of a modern roadster. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President
BMW Group Design, “The concept expresses the new BMW design language from all
perspectives and in all details. From the dynamic-looking front to the striking
flanks to the clean-cut tail end: a few lines and the subtle interplay between
surfaces are enough to generate a sense of power and emotion.”
The BMW Concept Z4 Roadster
adopts classical roadster design cues, such as a long wheelbase, a low-slung,
stretched silhouette and a compact rear end, wraps them in a fresh, confident
package and enriches them with the contemporary BMW design language. A shorter
bonnet and crisp overhangs ensure the driver sits closer to the center of the
car than in previous BMW roadsters. This gives the new proportions a focused,
sporty and agile feel. The outline of the car follows a distinct wedge shape,
which fills the BMW Concept Z4 with dynamism before it even pulls away. The
large domes stretching out rearwards from the cabin elegantly integrate the
function of rollover bars and provide a sporting conclusion to the
low-to-the-road silhouette at the rear.
Inside the Z4
concept the black and brown interior is exquisite. The gauge cluster and center
stack reaching towards the motorist, while the passenger side of the instrument
panel tapers forward.
When the new Z (Z4 or maybe Z5) it is
produced in approximately a year they will announce the name. We heard it may
offer a wide variety of engine options, though the U.S. is expected to get four
and six-cylinder gasoline offerings paired to a ZF eight-speed automatic. We’ll
wait for confirmation on whether BMW has retained a manual option.
“The concept
expresses the new BMW design language from all perspectives and in all
details,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president, BMW Group Design,
who helped roll out the Z4 Roadster Concept on the lawn in front of the Lodge
at Pebble Beach. “From the dynamic-looking front to the striking flanks to the
clean-cut tail end: a few lines and the subtle interplay between surfaces are
enough to generate a sense of power and emotion.”
Remember this
sports car was a team effort by Toyota and BMW. As stated the Supra will share
a lot of the Z4 concept. Maybe frame, suspension, engines?
After an eighteen year
hiatus, the ‘8 Series’ name returns to the BMW portfolio with the BMW Concept 8
Series that serves as a preview of a forthcoming BMW model – the new BMW 8
Series Coupe, slated for launch in 2018. “The number 8 and cars like the Z8
Roadster and i8 have represented the pinnacle of sports performance and
exclusivity at BMW,” explains Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG
Harald Krüger. “The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that
razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand-in-hand. This will be the
next model in the expansion of our luxury-car offering and will raise the
benchmark for coupes in the segment. In the process, we will strengthen our
claim to leadership in the luxury class.”
The BMW Concept 8 Series is
immediately recognizable as a BMW, but also displays new design ideas and form-building
techniques. “The design of the BMW Concept 8 Series provides a fresh
interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues,” adds van Hooydonk. “And it also
showcases a new approach to the use of forms which is reflected particularly
prominently in the car’s surfacing. A handful of crisp lines mark out clear
surfaces, and the car’s volumes are powerfully sculpted. Together, these
elements make a forceful statement and create a model brimming with character.
In short, this is a driver’s car.”
The BMW Concept 8 Series
wias shown publicly at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday, August,
18th and on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday
August 20th. The World Premiere BMW Concept Z4 Roadster will have its only
North American public showing on the Concept Lawn of the Pebble Beach Concours
d’Elegance on Sunday August, 20th.
In addition to the various
concours d’elegance activities, BMW will once again run two classic race cars
in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this year driven by notable drivers.
The famous #25 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL IMSA Group 4 will, one last time, be driven by
retiring BMW of North America President Ludwig Willisch as a retirement gift
from BMW. Meanwhile the #21 1972 ALPINA BMW 2002ti will be raced by none other
than Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Head of Design. Both cars will race in
Group 4A on Saturday August 19th.
The Rolex Monterey
Motorsports Reunion this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of
Laguna Seca raceway and BMW is honored to be displaying its #42 BMW V12 LMR for
the 60 years display tent. In the seven races in which it competed during 1999
season, the BMW V12 LMR dominated with 10 podiums and five victories including
the1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1999 12 Hours of Sebring and the Monterey
Sports Car Championship at Laguna Seca. In total, there are only four V12 LMRs
in existence of which one was the basis for the fifteenth BMW Art Car created
by American Artist Jenny Holzer.
When
we get more information we will update the Concept Z4’s production offerings.
BRUCE
HUBBARD
BRADLEY
HUBBARD
BONNIE
LYNCH
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