2017 Pebble Beach Concours: BMW Concept Z4

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
New Roadster
BMW chose the beautiful setting of Pebble Beach during the Monterey Motoring Week to show off its latest concept vehicle, the Concept Z4. This small, sporty 2-seat roadster may still be a concept, but it looks amazingly close to a production model.
VIDEO: BMW Concept Z4 Debut at Pebble Beach

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
New Design Language
According to Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design Adrian van Hooydonk, “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.”

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Classic Lines
The Concept Z4 features classic roadster lines with a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a compact rear end. The car sits low and wide, which gives the roadster an aggressive stance and the potential for great handling.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
New Face
Although the Concept Z4 is recognizable as a BMW, the front end offers a new take on the classic BMW kidney grille. Headlights are completely new and arranged in a more vertical fashion, which gives the Concept Z4 “a completely new facial expression,” according to Van Hooydonk.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Sculpted
Doors are sculpted rather than flat, and the lines angle upward as they move rearward, giving the roadster the illusion of (and allusion to) quick movement, even when standing still.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Interior
Concept Z4 designers made the conscious choice to highlight the divide between driver and passenger. The passenger sits in a light-colored seat surrounded by matching soft surfaces, while the driver’s cockpit — which includes the center console — is black. The red start button and red paddle shifters reinforce performance aspects of the concept.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Integrated Controls
Controls are integrated into soft-touch selectors, and a wide touchscreen and digital gauge cluster provide information to the driver. A subtle touch: dashboard vents match the exhaust outlets.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Coming Soon?
At the presentation, there were no announcements nor discussion about potential powertrains. BMW will announce those key aspects when the Concept Z4 gets closer to becoming a production model. Look for the next-generation Z4 — based on this concept — to debut sometime next year.