BMW Hints the Z4 Could Go Electric—And Drop Its Iconic Engine

New Design Language, No New Z4 Yet

BMW recently revealed the BMW i3, an all-electric sedan that became the talk of the industry following the German marque’s first product on the "Neue Klasse" platform. Gasoline variants of the 3 Series will be launched later this year, which we’re eagerly anticipating.

However, the press event did leave more questions than answers. Aside from the i3, teasers were also dropped for a 3 Series Touring, and I’d like to see BMW make an April Fool’s joke out of this one again, but we’re curious to see more.

We’re happy to see BMW keep segments alive, and the industry and community remain divided on the “Neue” designs of BMW, but what we want to know now is what the future of the rest of the lineup looks like for the brand?

Final Edition, Final Goodbye 

This generation’s BMW Z4 is on its last legs and due for an update, with a Final Edition bidding farewell to the current model. It did relatively well, selling a number, retaining its front-engine rear-wheel-drive platform with TikTok's favorite engine, and jokingly referred to as a drop-top Supra and vice-versa, but with both the Toyota- and the BMW-coded models getting dropped from their respective lineups, the current Z4 platform’s future is up in the air for now. 

That is, until we get confirmation from BMW. For now, the brand said a few things during the i3’s launch, so speculation is all we've got at this point.

So What Will Happen to the Z4? 

There have been no official statements made by BMW about the Z4’s successor, at least not definitively. During the i3’s debut, BMW Blog reported that the Bavarian brand’s Senior Vice President, Bernd Körber, said, "EV has a space in sports cars also, yes. So I would say not unlikely, but not something that will be imminently launched next year." At this point, you and I know that that’s a very democratic answer. 

That’s the equivalent of saying, “the door’s always open” to your ex. BMW dodged the question but gave a bit of hope in the process. The Z4 might be the recipient of an all-electric powertrain, essentially turning it into a German Tesla Roadster of sorts. That would be a first for a European brand, but will that be a win for enthusiasts, the market that the Z4 is aimed at? 

Highlighting its electric models first and promising to launch gasoline variants in the future may lead one to believe that BMW is placing greater emphasis on its EVs in the upcoming product generations.

Possibilities 

As for the future design of the Z4, artists like Luca Serafini were quick to render a next-generation “Neue Klasse” imagining of the roadster. Frankly, if the new Z4 came out and looked like this, I’m all for it. Everyone has something to say about "Neue Klasse" design for now, so it might have to grow on people first, as is the case with the Bangle Bimmers.

BMW already electrified a two-door in the past. Remember the BMW i8? Another possibility is that BMW could adopt a plug-in hybrid system in its more performance-focused models. Think what you will about the i8, but it was a bold step for BMW at the time, and if the brand were to do hybrid powertrains again, I’d like to believe they learned a thing or two from this butterfly-doored Bimmer. 

If we get a fully-electric BMW Z4, it will likely be pitted against the second-generation Tesla Roadster – that is, if it ever goes on sale – and it will be an interesting first EV convertible for the German automaker.

Speculations aside, one thing is for sure: BMW is considering electric sports cars. For now, a fully electric or hybrid electric Z4 has not yet been confirmed, and we’ll just have to wait and see.

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