BMW produced the Z3 Coupe between 1998 and 2002 to cater to those looking for a fixed roof version of the German automaker鈥檚 roadster. It featured a shooting brake-like bodywork and shared its underpinnings, most interior parts and some body panels with the Z3 roadster. As for the engines, it was offered as a 2.8, 3.0 and M Coupe, depending on the market. Now, BMW has an entirely new Z4 out, which has nothing in common with its predecessor, except for the retained moniker. It鈥檚 available solely as a convertible, unlike its platform-sharing sibling, the Toyota Supra, which will launch as a coupe. Rain Prisk asked themselves 鈥榳hat if BMW brought back the Z Coupe? 鈥?Thus, they set out to imagine the 2019 Z4 as shooting brake, and we have to say that the result it impressive. In addition to the fixed roof, the rendering portrays the German sports car with different taillights that have something very Volvo in their design, and adds a more menacing body kit, new wheels and lower ground clearance. Of course BMW has no intention of building such a thing. In fact, it鈥檚 currently preoccupied, among other things, with promoting the all-new Z4 that, in its most potent form, is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit rated at 340 PS and can sprint to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
The new BMW 6 Series Convertible is all about exclusive open-top driving enjoyment, comprising majestic ride comfort and richly engaging performance attributes in equal measure. The new BMW 6 Series Coupe embodies the classical character of an exclusive sports car. Its two-door body exudes an athletic and elegant aesthetic while its modern interior ambience is designed to immerse four people in a dynamic driving experience. The latest round of design and powertrain upgrades lends extra potency to the two-door model鈥檚 muscular appearance and sporting potential. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe conjures up a new balance of dynamic excellence, elegance and luxury. The latest addition to the BMW 6 Series range blends the sports performance and aesthetics of a coupe with the extended functionality of a four-door car. Its distinctive proportions and longer wheelbase accentuate the exterior鈥檚 irresistible radiance. The interior of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe delivers luxurious long-distance comfort for the driver and passengers in four full-size seats and offers a third seat in the rear that is suitable for shorter journeys. Detail refinements showcase both the elegance of the body design and the exclusive ambience of the interior.
The design: A harmony of sporting presence and exclusive elegance. The balance between sporting dynamics and majestic ride comfort which defines the character of the BMW 6 Series is reflected in a body design exuding athleticism, power and elegance. An array of awards based on both public surveys and the assessments of expert judges bear testament to the appeal of the design developed for the BMW 6 Series model range. The BMW 6 Series Convertible, BMW 6 Series Coupe and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe all won the renowned red dot award for outstanding product design at the first time of asking. The two-door models have also been recognised with the international Good Design Award and the iF product design award presented by the International Forum Design, while the BMW 6 Series Convertible has claimed the German Design Award. Meanwhile, in the Automotive Brand Contest - an international brand and design competition initiated by the German Design Council - the BMW 6 Series Coupe and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe topped the exterior design category two years in succession. More powerful, sportier, sharper: BMW kidney grille and front apron.
All the models in the new BMW 6 Series line-up stand out with an adeptly modified design that exudes powerful sports performance and, at the same time, emphasises the exclusive elegance of these luxury cars. The BMW kidney grille - standing prominently in the centre of the front end, as ever - is now even more eye-catching. The number of bars in the kidney grille has been reduced from 10 to nine, and the larger openings are an indication of the amount of cooling air required by the powerful engines. The new contours of the kidney grille bars (in aluminium matt on the eight-cylinder variants and black on the remaining models) underline the forward-surging stance of the radiator grille element. The new front apron, whose lower air intake is now a single stylistic unit and therefore comes across as ultra-wide, radiates sports performance and solidity. The front foglamps, which are positioned at the far outer edges of the front end, consist of three adjacent LED units and now feature a decorative surround.
This trim element is chrome on the new BMW 6 Series Convertible and comes in high-gloss black for the new BMW 6 Series Coupe and new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. The full-LED headlights fitted as standard on all the models in the new BMW 6 Series line-up include a newly developed and extremely sophisticated design for the light sources. This has brought about a new interpretation of the signature BMW look created by the twin circular headlights. The low beam light is emitted from the two upper reflectors, the main beam light from the two lower reflectors. The indicators are now integrated into the accent strip cutting across the top of the headlight units. Side view: aerodynamically optimised exterior mirrors, newly designed model badge for the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. The standalone proportions of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the exclusive elegance of its lines are emphasised even more clearly by a new design for the side window surrounds at the trailing edge of the rear doors. There, a graphic element bearing 鈥淕ran Coupe鈥?lettering guides the eye to the 鈥渃ounter-swing鈥?at the foot of the C-pillar (known as the Hofmeister kink).