Rumors about a return of the Z1 and Z3 monikers have been around for quite a while, with a possible Z5 to be added to the BMW range close behind. However, none of them seemed to be making sense up until now. What changed our perspective? The withdrawal of the Coupe and Roadster MINIs from production.

How do you figure? You might say. Well, the latest rumors coming in from Spanish media outlet, motor.es claim that the Z1 and Z3 models might be featuring front-wheel drive setups. ‘That still doesn’t say much’.

Going even further with the line of thought, if the report proves to be true, the Z1 would replace the Roadster perfectly, being built on the same UKL platform shared by current models in both BMW and MINI’s line-ups.

Moreover, the new car would also be built in Coupe guise to offer an alternative to all possible tastes. The engines used would be focused on 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder mills with low power outputs. That low count on horsepower would be offset by a lightweight construction thanks to CFRP and aluminum.

The revival of the Z3 name

The original Z3 was in production during the last years of the 1990s. Back then people hurried to criticize it for its design, especially for the Coupe version that was quickly dismissed as a ‘Clown Shoe’. The new model would be filling a gap between the aforementioned Z1 and the upcoming Z5. It would also use the 35up platform and will, therefore, be a little bigger in size, sending its power to the rear wheels.

As far as the design goes, the same long bonnet will be kept along with short overhangs. A textile roof would be used for lower weight on the Roadster and rumor has it that a Coupe would also show up.

The engines line-up would vary by a bigger amount, from 3-cylinder mills to 4-cylinder and even 6-cylinder versions.

The introduction of the Z5

At the top of the ‘Z food chain’ there would be the Z5, a completely new model that would be going up against more famous roadsters from the line-ups of such companies like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

This model would be using inline 6-cylinder plants and will be the one to introduce the results of the research conducted by BMW in collaboration with Toyota.

Taking on Porsche’s 911 and AMG’s GT model, the new car will be available both in roadster and Coupe versions, the latter being scheduled to feature a 2+2 configuration. That means the rear seats won’t be usable.

On the power and weight front, BMW i8 technology will be used along with electric motors and batteries from Toyota. The top of the range model will have over 500 HP thanks to hybrid tech and will be an M model.

Co-developed with Toyota

BMW has announced intentions to introduce a Z4 successor before the end of the decade.

Speaking with Automotive News Europe at the Geneva Motor Show, BMW head of development Klaus Fröhlich expressed his desire to launch a replacement for the Z4 within the next five years, acknowledging the company could share development costs with Toyota as part of the ongoing collaboration between the two.

Fröhlich went on to specify the segment for two-seater roadsters is shrinking and that the world's largest car market, China, is "not interested in roadsters." As a consequence, a Z4 successor is not high on BMW's list of priorities since such as model would only bring modest sales especially if we take into account that last year the Bavarian marque sold only 5,300 units (down by 11 percent) of the Z4 in Europe and 2,150 cars (down by 13 percent) in United States.

According to the latest gossip , the co-developed sportscar will use the Z5 moniker for BMW's version and has reached conceptual phase. It will allegedly use a carbon fiber tub just like the i3 & i8 duo and will adopt a conventional soft top but could possibly spawn a fixed roof coupe version later during its lifespan. If all goes according to plan, the BMW Z5 and Toyota's version will be out around 2017.

The Z4 roadster is the oldest model in BMW’s lineup, and these spy photos prove that its replacement is well on its way. Expected to be called the BMW Z5, this next-generation droptop ushers in some big changes for the sports car. The new model will ride on a new rear-drive platform also set to underpin an upcoming Toyota sports car.

Though the prototype’s heavy camouflage doesn’t give away too much about the Z5’s styling, the most notable change we can see is the car’s softtop. Compared to the outgoing Z4’s complex retractable hardtop, this new convertible roof, combined with a possible use of carbon-fiber and aluminum in the body, should result in a lighter curb weight for the new roadster; the current Z4 weighs between 3,263-3,549 lb depending on engine choice.

Our European correspondent Georg Kacher says that the new Z5 will continue to offer a turbo-four as the standard engine. A higher-output version of this four-cylinder will also be offered as an upgrade, along with a turbocharged inline-six for a possible M version.

The BMW Z5 prototype’s shorter hood also corroborates our previous report that the car’s new underpinnings would have more of a front-mid-engine bias. A joint collaboration between BMW and Toyota, the new platform has been in development for a few years now. Along with the BMW Z5, the chassis will also be used for a spiritual successor to the Toyota Supra. The latest rumors about that car suggest that it will be a hardtop coupe, use a hybrid drivetrain, and carry styling cues from the wild Toyota FT-1 concept first shown in 2014.

The BMW Z5 is currently slated to arrive in time for the 2018 model year, so look for more details to come over the next few months on this new BMW sports car.

We give you a first look at the long rumored BMW Z5, the successor to the current Z4 Roadster.

The Z5 rides on a platform which is being co-developed by BMW and Toyota. Toyota is also expected to build its own sports car based on the joint platform.

The Z5 is supposed to spearhead a revival of the Z model lineup which will feature more dynamically impressive and exciting roadsters. The return to a soft-top as seen on this prototype represents a focus on lighter weight, which in addition to the car's mix of lightweight composite construction, should see the Z5 come in at a lighter weight and provide better performance than the Z4.

The future Z lineup is rumored to also including a Z3 and a Z1 roadster. The Z3 will share the Z5's modular RWD platform and the Z1 will be based on BMW's UKL FWD/AWD platform.

Next year, the G29-generation BMW Z4 will replace the current, and aging, E89 model. The G29 BMW Z4 will be built alongside the upcoming Toyota Supra, as it’s part of the joint sports car venture between the Bavarian and Japanese brands. There’s quite a lot of hype about this car and as we approach launch time, more and more spy photos surface on the interwebs.

The heavy camouflage continues to hide the fine details, but a few things can be observed from these spy shots. The new headlights seem to squint a bit more and seem a bit more aggressive. Out back, BMW has kept the classic roadster proportions intact. While this new Z4 does look like it’s going to be a bit longer than before, it still has the long hood and short rear deck.

We also see dual exhaust pipes, one at either side of the car. This tells us that this is likely the BMW Z4 M40i variant, using the new B58 turbocharged 3.0 liter I6 engine. Most four-cylinder BMWs have two exhaust pipes side-by-side on the left side of the rear.

A possible plug-in hybrid variant is in planning stages as well which likely rules out the manual transmission option for the Z4. Hopefully, that’s not the case as BMW roadsters have a long tradition of being manual.

The BMW Z4 will be built in Graz, Austria, by Magna-Steyr.

The best thing about BMW Z5 is that it so well disguised that there are virtually no clues to how it will actually appear.

But close up photography shows such details to reflect its now intentions. Such as very low nose and wide kidney grille.

But yes Z5 will be a serious sports car. It will have a Carbon content that will shame high end sports cars as well as a weight advantage. Hence why a soft top roof has now been adapted.

A benefit of pooling resources between BMW and Toyota in which costs shared over materials allows increased implementation.

The car exercises a very light and minimalistic cockpit, important for a sports car but still current with modern technology and luxuries.

Of course as for this car engines will be familiar,but the outputs will be exclusive and a manual will be available for the more enthusiastic driver. The Z5 will receive a four cylinder and a six cylinder but the output will be exclusive to this model. Therefore retaining the lightweight philosophy but for high performance. That is what the new Z cars will offer.

Z5 M Version?

Z5 is an unknown quantity as its being placed a little higher than the current car, mainly against the Jaguar F-Type. So it is a full relaunch of a new model aimed at enticing more Sports car owners from the more accessible Z4. That is why there is an advanced programme of development with Toyota on the new car as both companies can pool resources on one car. BMW see the relaunch of the Z series similar to the BMWi cars with a new genre of sports cars using a lightweight philosophy although aimed at performance rather than sustainability. Should the car initially be successful? Then we will see progress.

BMW and Toyota will offer differing designs. The BMW launches first as a Roadster whilst the Toyota comes as a Coupe. Then vice versa.

The same sentiment applies for the forthcoming Z3 against the replacement for the GT86.

You cannot really see much as they have cleverly and intentionally applied panelled camouflage to the bodywork to disguise every single line and detail. But it is an incredible looking car developed from the design of the Vision ConnectedDrive and 328 Hommage Concept cars. But larger and more stretched.

The Z5 will utilise a Carbon Core which will be highly advanced for its segment.

The Z5 is to spear BMWs revitalised sports car programme to adhere to a unique philosophy similar to BMWi but for the Sports Car and Performance segment specialising in lightweight materials , advanced construction, individual design and dynamics. Engines will start from a unique four cylinder to a potentially powerful Power eDrive model with up to 500 PS and eBoost which was used under the body of the CSL Hommage/R.

After the Roadster is implemented a Coupe will follow. As are potential M Models. But nothing is fully confirmed for those as yet.