Spoken like a true "Car Guy"!

 

Yeah, I heard the motor will be 2.2l and 240hp. Expect the car to be very much in the veign of the S2000 when it comes out (though it won't be a convertible).

As for the weight, while it'd be awesome if they could build it at 2000lb, I don't think they'll come close. Remember when the rumors were flying that the S2000 would be partially aluminum and weigh 2400lb with 240hp? Well, the hp was there, but the car gained 400lb over initial estimates.

 

Does anyone else here think that 2000lbs. might be a little too light??? Imagine driving that in the rain. The S2000 is 2750lbs. and it still has a tendency to lose grip on wet surfaces. And being a BMW, it'll be a RWD configuration. There would be no way they could make a 4WD car that light.

Phi

 

TSS2K...

"...people who are buying cars for their overall performance characteristics and not just brute horsepower (which is exactly what the current M-Coupe is)."

Really? Hmmmm. I would think that my M Coupe had 50/50 weight distribution (as does the new one), and is just as quick around any given track as an S2000 (an maybe a little quicker with the new motor). And brute horsepower? That would be a Camaro, Firebird, Mustang... the list goes on.

Spy photos and things like that are just things to make little boys and magazine readers go "hmmmmmm." 2000 lbs? Yeah, right. And the S2000 was going to be a 5 cylinder with 20inch wheels and everything. After all, that's what it looked like at the 1998 car shows right? What's the weight of a Mustang Cobra R? That's a factory lightweight, and it is just a couple pounds more than 2000.

And do a search for a previous post on "BMW M Power or Honda Power?"

You'll see that your view of M cars (especially the coupe) are inaccurate. I think the word you were searching for was "balanced" and not the opinionated verbage you used above.

Not a flame, though... my disclaimer as always.

 

With all the regulatory hurdles, I pretty much doubt that 2000 lbs is feasible.

 

As much as I love the S2000, I don't think the S will be in the same league with the "Z5" in performance and ofcourse ....price. Just take a look at the power to weight ratio, the S is just a LITTLE OVER 800lbs overweight (if the Z is going to be 2000lbs, but I doubt it). Based on the old high rev E30 and the current E46, I have no doubt that Z engines are going to be 240hp or more with the new I-4. Ofcourse Bimmers are expensive, they have always been! I would say this is the next "Lotus Elise" built by BMW. Hey but don't jump on me, all of this is just speculation . Until then, the S is still on my shopping list.
.

 

I agree, especially with the crash standard in the US. I think it is not intended for the US market.

 

I havn't seen any pics, but if the suspension is modern, compared to the Z3s, look out!

 

Interesting.

As others have mentioned, 2000 lb sounds low. At least for the US market. Lately cars have been getting heavier and heavier. Partly due to added fed req'ts, premium on safety related (or at least perceived) features, and market-driven features (power everything). Seems that the ~2800 lbs of the S2000 is now called "light". My first car weighed <1900 and my heaviest (Integra) never weighed as much!

I noticed one person had a pic of the Opel Speedster and another mentioned the Elise. These are two cars with small 4-cyls (2.2 and 1.8 L respectively) and well below 2000 lb weight (1600+). Had the pleasure of driving an Elise in Germany. Sweet car.
Presently, the only sub-2000 lb car in the US is the Insight. The Echo is close. But with 200 hp and the drivetrain req'ts that brings? We can hope, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

 

The GOAL is 1000 kilograms which is around 2200 pounds. They are talking about composite wheels and body panels, alloy suspension, etc. along with a clean slate design for low weight. A 2.2 litre four with anywhere from 200 to 240 HP (and torque - BMWs wide RPM range philosophy) and also a 350 HP I6 variation. Something like a 45K price tag. The idea is to make a hard core car for driving enjoyment as opposed to a retro cruiser sorta deal. I think they may be able to come close to that weight. There are lots of ways to save weight if you do things in the design stage. For example E36 M3s have very heavy seats..you can save over a hundred pounds right there. Z3s have that amazingly heavy hood. Light weight and small size help all facets of performance.

Stan