MUNICH, GERMANY – For 2010, the BMW Z4 will feature a longer nose, a longer decklid with space for a retractable hardtop, and sheetmetal sculpting along the lines of the 3-series and 1-series on which it’s based, according to https://www.caranddriver.com/.  Under the hood, experts expect to see a turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinders, which is in the current 1- and 3-series, in roughly the same respective 225- and 300-hp potencies, with a choice of six-speed automatic and manual transmissions. Other markets will get different choices, including at least one four-cylinder and possibly a diesel to compete with Audi’s new TT diesel.

The next-generation Z4 will not continue to be built in the U.S. at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, but will be consolidated with 3-series production in Regensburg, Germany. The U.S. plant will be devoted to SUV production, with the X3 moving from contract assembler Magna Steyr in
Austria in the 2010–11 timeframe to join the X5 and the all-new X6.

An M version of the Z4 will be part of the story eventually, likely bringing with it BMW’s new seven-speed M DCT Drivelogic double-clutch manual transmission that is slated to replace the unloved seven-speed SMG automated manual in today’s M5 and M6, according to https://www.caranddriver.com/.