The convertible sports car will likely be called the BMW Z5 and is one half of the cooperation between BMW and Toyota to develop a rear-wheel-drive sports car. BMW is expected to introduce the Z5 Roadster first before a possible couple model follows. Toyota will market its version of the sports car as a coupe only and is believed to be the successor to the Supra.
New rumors also suggest that Toyota may take the new platform and shorten it to underpin the next-generation Toyota 86.
Compared to the current BMW Z4, the new Z5 will be equipped with a soft-top roof rather than the current folding hardtop as a move to save weight and improve handling. Expect the new sports car to arrive dealerships late next year or early 2018 sporting a wide range of four- and six-cylinder engines.
More importantly, the Z5 will eschew a retractable hardtop for a more conventional canvas roof. This change should enable the car to have a lower center of gravity as well as a lighter curb weight.
BMW has been tight-lipped about the model but it is being jointly-developed with Toyota. The companies will each build a sports car based on the same platform and both automakers have said the resulting models will have unique styling inside and out.
Toyota’s sports car is expected to have a hybridized powertrain, while the Z5 is slated to have an assortment four turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines. There have also been rumors about a high-performance M variant which could produce up to 425 horsepower.
The BMW Z5 is expected to be introduced in late 2017 or early 2018.