In the latest edition of AutoWeek, there is a small article regarding the new Z5. It states that BMW engineers are shooting for a target weight of 2000 lbs. and are planning on using a 2.2l 4 cylinder engine that ouputs over 200HP. Their main focus is on handling and overall balance. Hmm...sounds like direct competition to me. I wonder what motivated BMW engineers to go this direction rather then a modified M-Coupe with better suspension, 6-speed transmission, and even more horsepower from their inline 6. From the spy photos...the S still takes the cake...

 

Yeah, I was also rather surprised. Judging by the roadways around Washington D.C., it would seem that BMW's formula of a torquey six is more popular than Honda's high-revving four. That's fine with me. I've had my S for a little over a month now, and I love the fact that I rarely see another on the road. But, you would think that BMW would be going with the highest sales route, and they have developed the inline six to near perfection. Nevertheless, if BMW does build such a car, I'm sure it will be priced at least $10k-15k more than the S. I also seriously doubt that they'll hit their 2000lb target. By the way, where'd you see the spy pics?

 

There was a single photo included with the article. It was placed side-by-side to a photo of the current M-Coupe for comparison purposes. It had the usual prototype "masking" to hide the shape, but you could tell the shape was significantly different then the current M-Coupe design. The rear portion of the roof extended back very far making for a small rear deck lid. It was hard to determine what changes were done to the front, but the kidney grill still remains.

 

All the premium brands are developing entry level cars to capture younger buyers (who tend to stay loyal.) Could that be what is at work here?

 

As bjohnston pointed out, it is highly unlikely that BMW will be able to produce a car that is competitive to the S2000 for the same price. So will a 40k to 45k price tag appeal to a "younger" buyer? Plus, from the article it seems like BMW is researching some different technologies (i.e. aluminum composite rims) to drop the weight to 2000lbs. This leads me to believe the price point will stay in >35k range. My belief is that BMW sees a market forming of people who are buying cars for their overall performance characteristics and not just brute horsepower (which is exactly what the current M-Coupe is). Plus I think BMW might be trying to lure people who are not just interested in the little round emblem on the front (would any real enthusiast buy a Z3?).

 

Good God, only 2000lbs? For comparison purposes, the MR2 Spyder is listed as 2,195lbs, the Miata at 2,387 (2,447 for the 6spd.)

So it'll be lighter than the MR2, yet with a bigger engine? Doesn't seem to fit the standard BMW image. Unless it'll made out of carbon fiber and titanium (much dinero) it'll have to be smaller than the MR2, no A/C, no radio, thin seats, and no sound deadening. Will BMW do it? I hope so, since it sounds like it'd be an awesome car to drive. But somehow I don't see it hapening.

 

Why not? Take bits and parts from existing cars -- develop a new motor and use a little creative construction to keep the weight down (which is IMO what Honda et others need to focus on as well) -- it should be possible.

The current 315hp M roadster and coupes are < 15k more -- actually you can get the coupes for around invoice ~40k these days. Why would this car that is supposed to be lighter and more basic cost more than those cars?

 

And in Automobile magazine they were talking about the 1 series and they listed projected engine specs that took my breath away.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=series

BMW is smart enough to understand who their competition is. Even if they don't consider the S2000 as competition "on the track", I suspect some of the marketing people understand the S2000 is competition "on the sales floor".

 

Lightweight, a bit of horsepower and great handling -- I don't care if Kia built it I would consider it.

 

The AutoWeek article points out the dimensions are larger then that of the current M-Coupe...so going with the defined weights of the MR2 and the Miata given above...you're right, BMW has its worked cut out.