Report: BMW Z4 Only Has a Month to Live

2015 BMW Z4 (Credit: BMW)

It’s not a well-kept secret that the Z4 is on borrowed time, but a new report from BMWBlog indicates its demise may come sooner than expected.

According to the report, the final BMW Z4 will roll off the production line in August 2016. This is a bit of a shock, given its replacement, which will come from a joint venture between Bimmer and Toyota, is still a few years away. There has been no official confirmation from BMW on this, but the enthusiast site typically has a good beat on this sort of news.

There is no mention of a special-edition Z4 to celebrate the end of its production life, but I say it is safe to assume BMW will release one.

As for its replacement, which is rumored to possibly carry the Z5 name, it will arrive by the end of the decade—possibly as early as 2018. This new model will be a back-to-roots design that will include a fabric top and fewer luxury goodies in an attempt to focus more on performance and agility.

The powertrain used in the Z4’s replacement also remains unknown for now, but there are plenty of rumors. The most popular of these rumors is a hybrid powertrain that delivers both power and fuel efficiency. On the flip side, a hybrid system would add weight, which is counter the focus of the new Bimmer roadster. Another report points toward a wild M version that’ll potentially use a 450-horsepower 3.0-liter straight-six engine.

We’ll continue monitoring both the elimination of the Z4 and the debut of its replacement and bring you updates as they become available. Stay tuned.