[The Automotive Enthusiast]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

It’s all change at the top for BMW - and the new management has pulled the plug on the proposed BMW Z2 sports car, a small rival for the best-selling MX-5.

CAR magazine first revealed the plan in the February 2011 issue, but now we hear that the new leadership under chairman Harald Krüger and R&D chief Klaus Fröhlich has axed the programme as being inessential. Blame sluggish sports car sales and the unstoppable global trend towards SUVs.

They are putting each and every future project under scrutiny and the baby roadster, depicted in CAR’s artist’s impressions from the archive, is no longer an active project.

BMW Z2: the roadster that could have been

This was to have been a small, open-top sports car to slot beneath the well established Z4 coupe-convertible.

It was a back-to-basics BMW: two seats only, a simple engine choice of three- and four-cylinder engines and - BM traditionalists look away now - front-wheel drive.

That’s because the project was part of the new front-drive transverse architecture; the Z2 was to be part of the Mini/1-series/2-series clan, in other words. Which makes us wonder if the still-active Mini Superleggera - essentially a front-wheel drive MX-5 rival - has squeezed the Z2 out. Munich fears there isn’t enough space for both.

When we first revealed the Z2 project, we estimated a price around £20,000-£25,000. Slap bang in MX-5 territory, in other words, with higher-spec, faster versions nudging into the marketplace hogged by the likes of the Audi TT.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-sho...ou-mx-5-rival/

[ShocknAwe]

MX-5 is RWD, you can't have a FWD rival of a RWD car, that's hilarious.

[overcoil]

Think it's a smart move to drop the Miata rival. Not wise to compete in each segment.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Think it's a smart move to drop the Miata rival. Not wise to compete in each segment.

Why not? They make literally every car fucking imaginable. They should be competing across the board in enthusiast/motorsport segments. The M3/4 is embarrassing this generation. The M5/6 is lagging as well. The i8 was a proof of concept. That leaves the M2, which isn't out yet, and they killed the 1. So they need to succeed somewhere, maybe it's in the lightweight roadster category?

Agreed in that the FWD roadster was a catastrophically horrible idea.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Agreed in that the FWD roadster was a catastrophically horrible idea.

+1, not sure if I'm supposed to be happy or sad about this.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

+1, not sure if I'm supposed to be happy or sad about this.

Well, there's always the FWD 1 series and 2er AT abominations, so rest easy in that.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Well, there's always the FWD 1 series and 2er AT abominations, so rest easy in that.

Kill them. Kill them with fire.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Why not? They make literally every car fucking imaginable. They should be competing across the board in enthusiast/motorsport segments. The M3/4 is embarrassing this generation. The M5/6 is lagging as well. The i8 was a proof of concept. That leaves the M2, which isn't out yet, and they killed the 1. So they need to succeed somewhere, maybe it's in the lightweight roadster category?

Agreed in that the FWD roadster was a catastrophically horrible idea.

I am not embarrased at all by my M4. I even drive it in public.

[Grinchxvx]

If it was going to be FWD what's the point? Glad they chopped it tbh. I'll
stick to my one series

[phoenixbmwlife]

One less front wheel drive car under the BMW brand. I say this is great news!

[vladberca]

It's good to not increase the range of FWD BMW models

[BMW269]

As the next 2 Series Coupe will be FWD, they have decided to cancel the next generation M2 because they don't think a FWD M2 successor will be profitable.

[bunker]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I am not embarrased at all by my M4. I even drive it in public.

I commend you for being both polite and witty in this response. I would not have been able to show the same restraint.

[mshab356]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

The M3/4 is embarrassing this generation.

Why is the M3/4 embarrassing in your opinion? I think it is a much better all around car than the E9x (I used to own an E92 M3)

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by Levi

As the next 2 Series Coupe will be FWD, they have decided to cancel the next generation M2 because they don't think a FWD M2 successor will be profitable.

There is no confirmation about this. The next 2 might have the clar platform as well. M is pushing toward that platform.

[psuibmw]

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Why not? They make literally every car fucking imaginable. They should be competing across the board in enthusiast/motorsport segments. The M3/4 is embarrassing this generation. The M5/6 is lagging as well. The i8 was a proof of concept. That leaves the M2, which isn't out yet, and they killed the 1. So they need to succeed somewhere, maybe it's in the lightweight roadster category?

Agreed in that the FWD roadster was a catastrophically horrible idea.

Maybe we have a difference in opinion or what embarrassing is to one individual, but calling the best M3/4 we've had since the E30 embarrassing is ridiculous and unfair.

F80>e9x m3
F80>e46 although subjective on the looks I prefer the E46
The E36 besides the sedan the coupe was just plain boring...

I get not everyone likes turbos and loves NA 8-9k rpm motors. But BMW has done an outstanding job on the F80 and put me down for one in a couple of years...

[ORIGIN M.]

Front page news again

The Z2 has been canceled.

There will be a FWD Z1.

And a back to basics RWD Z3.

And the the current Z4 will move up market and become a Toyota Twin being called the Z5.

[Jadar]

Originally Posted by mshab356

Why is the M3/4 embarrassing in your opinion? I think it is a much better all around car than the E9x (I used to own an E92 M3)

Man not even a comparison. Not sure what has his panties in a bunch but the f80 is amazing. Never owned either but spent time in both here, and it's a night and day difference. Just the f80 losing 200+ lbs was huge and can be felt. Electric steering....whatever get over it all manufacturers have it were stuck, move on...

[jaehshim]

who buys a Z these days...
it's following the downhill of SLK

[X3paul]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Think it's a smart move to drop the Miata rival. Not wise to compete in each segment.

Thats true. Bmw making a car fun to drive? Please thats not what bmw is about these days. Minivans and 4x4' that are really not that good at 4x4 thats what "the ultimate driving machine" is all about these days.

[jaehshim]

Originally Posted by dd1981

Man not even a comparison. Not sure what has his panties in a bunch but the f80 is amazing. Never owned either but spent time in both here, and it's a night and day difference. Just the f80 losing 200+ lbs was huge and can be felt. Electric steering....whatever get over it all manufacturers have it were stuck, move on...

agreed and disagreed
it's not that F80 is bad, it's that there's GREATER cars than F80 for the money these days.
Honestly, during the E90 M days, it was probably the most ideal sport, trackable sedan/coupe for the money.
GTR was too expensive, Corvette's quality was pretty bad, C63's 7 speed auto was hideous, RS4 was heavier and slower than E9X M3 series etc etc

Now? everyone's looking at the new C63 or a used GTR if going forced induction sports sedan/coupe for the same money.

the jacked up price just doesn't justify F80 being THAT BETTER than E90 in every way. there's better cars for same money