BMW Previews New Z4 Roadster

BMW AG on Thursday took the wraps off its Concept Z4 roadster at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, Calif.

The concept is said closely reflect the design direction of the third-generation Z4 that BMW plans to launch in about a year. That vehicle will ride on a lightweight platform BMW is developing with Toyota Motor Corp., which will get its own version of the car.

The new Z4 will be longer and wider than the previous generation roadster, which BMW stopped producing last August. But “crisp overhangs” promise to position the driver closer to the center of the car.

The concept also gets a modified version of BMW’s kidney-shaped grille with an elaborate mesh replacing the current vertical bars. The design was inspired by iconic 328 Mille Miglia and other early Bimmer roadsters.

A fabric roof is expected to replace the previous Z4’s retractable hard top. Power likely will come from new 4- and 6-cylinder mills, and possibly a plug-in hybrid variant.