Our latest round of spy photos of the new BMW Z4 finally confirm what we said back in our July 2008 scoop – that the new Z4 will gain a Meccano-style folding metal roof. Now the disguise is firmly off the next-gen two-seat roadster, it’s easy to see the new CC roof instead of today’s fabric roof.
BMW has plainly caught the folding hard-top bug and has learned plenty with the CC roof on the 3-series convertible. One downside of this layout is that the Z4’s already tight boot space will surely be squeezed even further to contain the two-piece hood.
BMW Z4: spy photos at the Nurburgring
Where else would you catch the latest BMW on test? The Nurburgring, of course. We caught the Z4 on test a month ahead of its expected debut at the Los Angeles motor show 2008 in November.
We’ve already reported on how the Z4 will lose some of its edgy idiosyncracies in its latest iteration – so the styling will be toned down a tad from the original Bangle extreme. Expect diesel engines to broaden the appeal in its bid to wrestle back sales from the likes of the Audi TT and forthcoming Nissan 370Z, which will also be unveiled at LA.
Inside, the Z4 is distinguished by the latest iteration of BMW’s familial dash architecture, with simple rotary dials, the adoption of iDrive, a large multi-media screen and the mother of all chubby steering wheels. That rim has surely been lagged with extra loft insulation by some DIY-obsessed engineer.
Come back to CAR Online in November for more news on the Los Angeles motor show
Click on the links at the foot of the page to watch a spy video of the BMW Z4