BMW Z5 Finally Goes Testing on the Nurburgring
A BMW Z5 prototype has been spied testing on the world famous Nurburgring.
Widely believed to be based on the platform developed in collaboration with Toyota, the BMW Z5 will serve as a successor to the Z4, which ended its production in August. What’s underpinning the BMW Z5 is expected to also underpin the Toyota Supra’s successor, although the two will try to appeal to different markets.
Still heavily camouflaged, spy photographers did manage to sneak in a couple of interior photos this time around. They reveal a digital gauge cluster along with a traditional BMW steering wheel and climate control knobs. The infotainment screen was covered, hinting that BMW has a next-generation unit possibly in development.
SEE ALSO: BMW Z4 Production Ending Soon to Make Room for Rumored Z5 Successor
Both BMW and Toyota have been keeping relatively quiet on the development of their sports cars, despite prototypes being spied over the last few months. Expect the BMW Z5 to launch as a roadster with a soft top, getting rid of the current model’s retractable hard top in order to save weight. Under the hood will likely be turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engine offerings and rumor has it a hybrid powertrain is in the works to pair with the German automaker’s xDrive all-wheel drive.
Look for the BMW Z5 to finally make its debut sometime in 2017 before it heads to dealerships as a 2018 model.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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