BMW signed the Z4’s death warrant last year when it announced the Final Edition M40i, with no replacement in sight. Just as the Z4 was hitting its stride—with the long-awaited release of a manual transmission—it gets sent off to the junkyard in the sky. Without a new Z4 to follow it, BMW has a two-seat sports car shaped void in its lineup. However, it’s possible that Z4 replacement could be on the way, just this time as an EV.
According to Motor Trend, during a recent event in Munich, senior vice president of BMW brand and product management Bernd Koerber responded to a media question about whether BMW might build an electric sports car to replace the Z4. “In the evolution of things, yes,” he said. “Not that tomorrow we will announce whatever, but that BMW will always look into sports cars, yes, and that EVs have a space in sports cars, also. So, I would say not unlikely, but not something that will be imminently launched next year.”
It’s only natural that BMW creates an electric sports car at some point. While electric sports cars were at an all-time popularity low just a few years ago, they seem to be making a bit of a comeback. Hell, Z4 sales were going up before its demise. And if BMW does make an electric Z4, it would be in good company. Porsche seems to be staying the course with its Boxster EV, despite that being a bit rocky at one point, and even Audi announced its making an electric TT successor. Can the Bavarians who wear the “Ultimate Driving Machine” badge really let their cross-town rivals have all the fun? I think not.
There are only two real questions remainig: when will BMW finally gain enough courage to build one and will it have an internal combustion sibling? Porsche seems to be building both electric and gasoline versions of the Boxster, and BMW is already doing something similar with the i3 and 3 Series. So if BMW makes an electric Z4 successor, will it have two different powertrains? As for when, BMW is likely in no rush. Sports cars aren’t exactly big money-makers anymore, especially electric ones. So, for now, it’ll likely focus on its SUVs and sedans, with the occassional M car thrown in the mix. But the fact that BMW is keeping the door open for another Z4 is very exciting.
