BMW Concept Z4 previews Roadster 18 | 08 | 2017

THIS IS THE FUTURE of BMW sportscars. The Concept Z4, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, give the clearest indication of how the new roadster will look when it arrives in Scottish dealerships next year. (Related: BMW diesel trade-in scheme for Scots)

Despite it’s looks, the long bonnet is actually shorter than that of the current model. Noticeably, it does stretch out the car’s profile by extending into a steeply-raked windscreen.

But it’s elsewhere that the real drama lies, where BMW has introduced a number of killer, modern design cues.

Flick through the images and you’ll see muscular rear haunches and new slimline rear lamps with a wedge-like angle; and there’s all-new vertically-stacked double-decker headlamps.

There’s also a dramatic, pointy shark nose, which ensures a dynamic and positive stance; L-shaped LED rear light clusters, plus there’s a new super-wide kidney grille which emphasises the Concept Z4’s stretched nose.

You’ll also notice the sweeping metallic roll incorporating stencilled logo and which have been cleverly integrated into the front seats.

The overall look is one of stylish dynamism.

There will be aspects of the concept which will disappear before the full production model is unveiled — expect the toy door mirrors and out-sized exhaust pipes to disappear — but in essence, what we see before us is the new Z4. It will on on-sale at Scottish dealerships later next year.

Inside the cabin, the concept is swathed in multiple hides of leather. Again, it’s unlikely we’ll see this degree of indulgence in the production car, but we should expect the stubby gearshift and BMW’s latest version of its terrific iDrive to make it to the cars in the showrooms.

Look closely at the square-bottomed steering wheel, and you might also spot the Race Start and Race Stop buttons which are located at 10 and 2 o’clock.

While the dashed of the Concept Z4 is all-digital, the main central monitor butts up to the dashpod. This allows the driver to choose what information is displayed as it flows from the main monitor to the instrument cluster.

Engine? Not surprisingly, BMW is remaining tightlipped on what we’ll find under the bonnet. But it’s fair to expect we’ll see both the 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged units, ranging from 187bhp in the entry-model, to 355bhp. These will be mated to a six-speed manual as standard, with an eight-speed auto as an option.

BMW will also take the 2018 Z4 into the plug-in PHEV market with a model which will carry ‘e’-badging.

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Jim McGill