The Z4 marked its world premiere while the 8 Series celebrated its North American debut. Both concepts are previews of the series production cars set to be revealed over the course of next year.
The 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 package and a contemporary BMW design language.
A shorter bonnet and crisp overhangs ensure the driver sits closer to the centre 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 integrate the function of rollover bars and provide a sporting conclusion to the low-to-the-road silhouette at the rear.
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.”
In place of the customary bars, the inside of the kidney grille features elaborately designed mesh, whose vertical orientation recalls the sporty, functional kidney design of early BMW roadsters such as the BMW 328 Mille Miglia.
In a departure from the BMW norm, the Concept Z4 provides a vertical interpretation of the classical four-eyed headlight look, with two overlapping tubes on each side. The turn signal indicators point diagonally towards the kidneys from above. And the clamshell bonnet with stylised gill vents curves over the wheels, creating a seamless sweep over the front end.
In keeping with the focus on the essentials, all the controls are grouped into “function islands” to ensure the driver focuses on the business of driving. Trim elements inside the cabin are likewise minimalist yet classy. The cabin is applied with polished chrome accents and swish, hexagonal laser-cut motifs in the seats; carbon-fibre door sill finishers and embossed asymmetrical logos in the seats and instrument panel enhance the interior’s sporting profile.
The Z4 concept is also showcased with a new Energetic Orange frozen exterior paint finish that highlights the contrasts of light and shade in the surfacing, accentuating the #-D look of the exterior. The car is matched with 20-inch light-alloy wheels in a sporty bi-colour double-spoke design.
After an 18-year hiatus, the "8 Series" name returns to the BMW portfolio with the Concept 8 Series – a preview of the next 8 Series Coupe, slated for launch in 2018.
The Concept 8 Series 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,” said van Hooydonk. “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 number 8 and cars like the Z8 Roadster and i8 have represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW,”said BMW boss Harald Krüger. “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.”
BMW is also working on the M version of the model in parallel development with the standard 8 Series. Development is also under way of a race-spec car – the M8 GTE – to spearhead the return of BMW Motorsport to Le Mans. It is expected to make its race debut in the Daytona 24 Hours in late January 2018.
READ MORE: The BMW 8 Series details
The BMW Concept Z4
