News Source: topspeed.com

The BMW-Toyota partnership  is beginning to take shape with more news about what’s in store from this marriage. Rumors have circulated since the two automakers announced the partnership back in January 2013, a lot of which has been centered on the revival of the Toyota Supra  and the development of the next-generation BMW Z4.  However, more recent reports claim that the next BMW Z4 won’t be the fruit of the Bavarian automaker’s collaboration with its Japanese counterpart. Instead, it will be a Z4 replacement that will be called the Z5.

After more than two years of unconfirmed speculations, the Z5 has finally made its first public appearance as a camouflaged prototype. Our paparazzi caught the roadster during cold weather testing (it’s quite freezing in northern Europe around this time of the year), which suggests that BMW  has been working on this new model for quite some time. The camo is thick enough to keep the Z5’s design features hidden, but I do have an idea about what lurks under the swirly, black-and-white wrap.

What I do know for a fact is that the new roadster  will ride on a new architecture that will make it sportier than the Z4. Also, the big unveiling should take place in late 2016 or early 2017. Its Toyota  sibling, which will look completely different on the outside and revive the Supra  nameplate, should brake cover around the same time. Have a look at my speculative review below for more information and stay tuned for updates.

While it’s very difficult to spot any precise design features through the camouflage, it’s quite obvious why this roadster is a replacement for the Z4. It sports a long hood, a short rear deck, short overhangs, and a low driving position. It also seems to be slightly longer and a couple of inches wider. Another important difference compared to the Z4 is that it features a soft top instead of a folding metal roof.

Styling-wise, it seems to have a significantly larger twin-kidney grille that sits lower in the fascia. The lowered nose and the bigger grille should provide a more aggressive stance. The headlamps also appear to be larger and, based on recent BMW  design updates, they should be connected to the grille’s chrome frame. The front bumper is well camouflaged, but a three-piece outlet configuration with a wider center opening is very likely.

From the side, the Z5 appears to have a less muscular stance. Both the front and rear fenders seem flatter and give the roadster an almost featureless beltline. However, I’m gonna wait until the roadster losses some camo to draw a conclusion.

The prototype’s rear fascia offers even fewer hints. The vehicle doesn’t have its production taillights on, while the bumper’s features are well hidden under the thick wrap. The trunk lid, however, is in many ways similar to the Z4’s and comes with an integrated spoiler, while the license plate recess have been moved upper into the fascia. The interior of the Z5 is a complete mystery as of this writing, but it should carry the same premium feel and excellent fit and finish all BMWs are known for. I expect it to receive a low-slung, wraparound dashboard with a floating infotainment screen and a clean center stack, a wide center console, a sports steering wheel, and a digital instrument cluster. Bolstered seats should come standard, with sportier units offered on the more expensive trim levels. Look for soft-touch surfaces all over the place, high-quality leather, and aluminum inserts on the dash, center console, and door panels.

Engine options are still unknown, but given BMW’s recent strategy, the base model should have a turbocharged, four-cylinder under the hood. The same unit will probably be available with higher output in an upper trim version, while a 3.0-liter inline-six should motivate the range-topping variant. A high-performance M version could also be developed, but it won’t break cover until around 2018. Some reports are suggesting BMW might also add a hybrid to the lineup, but the Germans could opt not to in order to differentiate the Z5 from its Toyota sibling, which will most likely go the hybrid route.

The drivetrain will sit on a new sports car architecture co-developed with Toyota. But even though they will share components, each platform will be different from one another, with BMW’s expected to deliver a sportier experience. Transmission choices should include both manual and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. It’s too early to talk about prices here, but given that it is slightly bigger than the Z4 and will be positioned higher in the lineup, the Z5 could arrive with a steeper price tag. With the current Z4 retailing from $49,700, the upcoming roadster could fetch in excess of $55,000 before options. Around since 2009, the Z4 is in dire need of a replacement, and it seems that the Z5 will take its place in the lineup starting the 2018 model year. Although it shouldn’t be a radical departure in terms of styling, the Z5 will likely have a different position in the company’s roster. Not only bigger, the Z5 should also stand out as a more premium proposition. It’s not yet clear what engines will help it move about, but should it receive a powerful inline-six and an M badge. The upcoming, larger Z5 could give the base Jaguar F-Type a run for its money and give BMW access to a new niche. On the other hand, the Z5 could be a bit too expensive for the new SLC, but it all depends on the technology and drivetrains that Bimmer will bring to the market.