According to a report by Car and Driver, the BMW Z4 is set to be phased out after the current generation, with no plans for a special edition featuring a fixed roof to commemorate its end. Despite BMW revealing a concept for such an edition at the 2023 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, it seems unlikely to materialize.
The Z4, now in its third generation, debuted in 2003 as a successor to the iconic Z3, famously featured in the 1995 James Bond movie “GoldenEye.” Co-developed with the Toyota Supra, the current Z4 hit the market in 2018 and received an update two years later with the recent addition of a manual transmission option.
Despite its lineage, Z4 sales have been underwhelming, mirroring the fate of BMW’s 8-Series, which is also speculated to be discontinued after the current generation, excluding the Gran Coupe variant. While the 8-Series lineup collectively sold 5,751 units in the U.S. last year, the Gran Coupe variant constituted the majority.
Reports suggest that the next 8-Series Gran Coupe may transition into the 7-Series family, while the next 4-Series could ascend the hierarchy by adopting the 6-Series nameplate.
With BMW gearing up for an all-electric future, future coupe and convertible models are likely to offer electric options, aligning with the brand’s evolving strategy amidst shifting automotive trends.