2018 BMW Z5 – hybrid Z4 successor tests at the 'Ring

New sports car is being co-developed with Toyota; could get optional four-wheel-drive

A test car for the 2018 BMW Z5 has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring ahead of the model’s arrival in 2018.

Our sources believe the car, which will be a successor to the Z4, will make use of a hybrid drivetrain and come with optional four-wheel-drive.

Today’s car is wearing a soft-top without a rear screen in place, but an earlier vehicle (below) showed how the window could look.

Both development cars give a good impression of what the new car’s front kidney grilles will look like. They appear longer than the Z4’s grilles, and are joined by familiar BMW features such as a lengthy bonnet and short overhangs. Take no notice of those rear lights though – they’re temporary units featured on most BMW development vehicles.

It’s the third time we’ve seen the new model in the metal; its arrival was announced by BMW last year. The soft-top, two-door model is expected to be revealed late next year or in early 2018.

It’s thought that some of the car’s underpinnings will be shared with a future Toyota Supra successor, following Toyota and BMW’s announcement that the two companies would team up to develop a new sports car platform.

While the BMW will be a convertible, the Toyota will be a spiritual successor to the Supra and as such will wear a hard top, as shown by recently spotted development cars. Inspiration for the Toyota’s design has been taken from the striking FT-1 concept, first seen at the Detroit show in 2014.

Source: Car