BMW Z5 Info Begins Leaking

BMW Z5 test mule (Credit: YouTube)

Thanks to spies spotting the BMW Z5 prototypes out in the wild last week, all kinds of juicy information about the follow-up to the Z4 has started to leak. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the video below of a camouflaged Z5 driving in the frozen winter, then read on for details.

BMW Blog thinks that based on the condition of the test mules, which are obviously cobbled together, the production Z5 is about two years out. That seems like a realistic number, considering BMW’s development timeframes, so look for the new car to hit showrooms in 2018.

Toyota is helping the Germans with the development process, so that’s a little different. While the new Supra will ride on the same platform, the engine, transmission and pretty much everything else will be a different beast (with one potential exception – read on).

BMW Z5 test mule (Credit: YouTube)

The Z5 will be available either as a roadster with a soft top (not a hardtop convertible like the Z4) or a coupe. From the spy photos and videos, it’s evident that the car will have a long hood, low profile and miniscule overhang in the rear. The word is that once the camo comes off, the overall design will be futuristic and retro at once. In other words, it could be epic or a complete failure.

Housed under that long hood will likely be three different powertrain options. One will be BMW’s 2.0-liter four-banger, which cranks out around 240 horsepower. An inline six-cylinder of unspecified displacement is also supposed to be included, which should push 300ish horsepower.

The third option will be a Toyota-sourced hybrid powertrain, which will power the BMW M version of the car. BMW Blog claims the Germans are looking to take on the Mercedes AMG GT with the Z5 hybrid, which sounds pretty ambitious. The site also says the hybrid powertrain will include a four-cylinder gasoline engine with water injection, with total system output in the neighborhood of 600 horsepower. If that’s the case, then BMW will be throwing down the gauntlet in a big way. It’s not clear if the same or similar hybrid powertrain will be used on the new Supra, but that’s certainly a possibility.

Thanks in part to loads of lightweight materials (like CFRP) the Z5 will no doubt be fast and agile. Rear-wheel drive is supposed to be standard, with xDrive optional.

Look for an official unveiling later this year or early in 2017.