[BMW269]

BMW is going to build two "supercars". One will be the BMW VisionEfficientDynamics, a mid-engine, 2+2 seater, 3 cylinder turbo diesel hybride, with around 400 PS. Fuel consumption will be like a BMW 116d (E81), performance like a BMW M3 (E92). The other car will be a 2 seater roadster, with M5 F10 engine in front, though not sure about the engine yet. That it will be a roadster does not mean it will not be fast or aggressive. It is just going to be so. Its weight is aimed to be under 1300 kg. Just look, the Carrera GT is a roadster, and is very fast and aggressive.

[zoom335is]

Whether its green or not, BMW needs a super car to compete with Benz, Audi R8, and Porsche. Not to mention all the other non German brands.

[SCOTT26]

For a Brand that has prided itself on driving dynamics. The BMW image is intact within every BMW. Many say we need a car to rival Audi or Mercedes-Benz when actually we do not as the BMW image is strong enough to retain a lead over our competitors.

What makes BMW great is our ability to diversify ourselves from Audi and Mercedes-Benz and when we say our cars are really something special to drive we mean it.

The BMW image has now been interpreted by our competitors so much so that the evidence is clear to see , in marketing , product ideas and if you want to see how certain manufacturers interpret the BMW image look at the adaption of the BMW Camouflage on prototypes of another manufacturer. As said before BMW leads and Audi follows.

As someone who has to oversee some of our marketing initiatives for Group products it is not exactly flattering to see your ideas and creativity re-interpreted by another brand , when the final product does not exactly live up to it's expectations.

BMW is different because when we drive the car we get the sense of something special so we have to accomodate this to announce to the customer in the market for this product that this is a great car to drive.
There is no way we are hoodwinking the customer.

When we talk about a Halo car , Audi have said that they need the R8 to enhance the image of it's lower models , and as a marketing person that has been a success. Does BMW need a halo car to enhance the image of it's products? not really because a BMW can stand up on it's own , every segment such as the 1er , 3er and 5er offer a car that has more image whether in appearance or performance than their competitors.

Compare the 1er to the Audi A3 or Even the Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse and you can see the 1er is in a different league because it enhances a different image and prolongs that image by offering a performance based coupe as well as a conventional C-segment hatch.
Even the M Division maintains an image our competitors dream of...
an M comes from a BMW and for that transition the BMW has to be responsive in every attribute. If your car is mediocre to drive then you will not achieve similar goals.
Going fast in a straight line is not what an M car is about.

BMW is and remains an independent company , it does engineering in-house and does not have the "parts bin" resources open to Audi ,for example The R8 is made possible thanks to the Lamborghini Gallardo which shares substantial engineering with the R8. BMW know what their customers want and a supercar is not at the top of the list.

Which brings it back to Vision Efficient Dynamics - It wont be conventional , it will be a BMW and follow the ideas with the concept , but there will not be an M version.

Z Spyder Stradale is purely a dream project. A car that brings together all of BMW's attributes but in something more special. It's not a Supercar , it's a product that will be highly emotive and compliment BMW's product line-up.
It will be a BMW , engineered by BMW and interpreted by BMW it will not follow the lead taken by other manufacturers.
It will compliment BMW's products but will not be an image builder , a BMW proves image is not everything.

[cotenseto]

It's not horrible, but the Duetto is better and was first. Which makes it bad by default.

This is what you need to ask yourself; does it look better than the Z8? And the answer is a resounding, clear no. The Z8's timeless design is IMO one of the pinnacles of all BMW design. There is no point in producing something which is not unique, and does not take your brand to the next level.

[bavarian19]

I like it!

[thebmw]

Good render job, but I'd get the R8 over this rendering any day.

[kooper]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I still think they should do something like this.... ~Frost

I don't know who made that image, but it just goes to show that BMW definitely has the DNA to make an awesome R8 competitor.

I mean if an M3 can come out looking that good as a mid-engined car, surely BMW can come up with a great looker and great performer?

Stop it with the front-engined droptop halo cars already BMW. Please, please just go back one more time to the same mindset you had in the late 70s/ early 80s and bring out a supercar for Pete's sakes.

[SCOTT26]

The original rendering is thankfully nothing like what is planned.
But that rendering of an M3 mixed with an R8 is truly awful.

Please never post it again...

[kooper]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The original rendering is thankfully nothing like what is planned.
But that rendering of an M3 mixed with an R8 is truly awful.

Please never post it again...

It's probably not the best looker, but considering what it is and what it's made up of, I think it looks pretty good actually.

Must add I only read your detailed breakdown a bit further up after I posted (or re-posted/ quoted), and I agree with you regarding BMW leading. I just want some mid-engined M goodness is all.

[BallsBrawn]

so the Z9 main contenders would be

[sbce90]

not really feeling the rear. the front is great though.

[Stratos]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The original rendering is thankfully nothing like what is planned.
But that rendering of an M3 mixed with an R8 is truly awful.

Please never post it again...

+1

[NFS13]

SCOTT26

Good write up! I totally agree with your thoughts on BMW being the leader, and where they stand in the industry. I also agree about their lineup and not needing what the others do in regards to a "Halo" car. Nice job!
I do need to mention that the R8 was not conceived from a Lambo, and short of sharing a few internal parts, the R8's body, space frame, engine ( V8 version ) and interior are all Audi. Remember, this car was based on their GT race car.

[BMW269]

Why can not a Z9 with typical good BMW chassis, 50/50 weight distribution, 4,4l V8 TT with more than 600 PS and 700 Nm, that weighs less than 1300 kg, be faster than an a Carrera GT, and so faster than an SLS AMG and R8 V10?

[escobar929]

i like it

[DASHOCKER]

I like that post by Scott! BMW is truly a leader & not a follower. I can't wait to see this car.

[tony20009]

Definitely looks like competition for Astons and Maseratis. Not sure about it being an R8 fighter, but I guess it could...

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by BallsBrawn

so the Z9 main contenders would be

If your Z8 will be a soft touring car then the Cali may be a competitor. If your Z8 will be in the same league as the R8, I would suggest the Cali is a little to soft for that match up. Maybe in 2012 or 2013 when Ferrari comes out with a more aggressive Cali Htge.

[V_therussian]

So, its okay to take an Alfa and rebadge it a BMW now?!?!! W.T.F. !!! The person who did this rendering should have his arms hammered for this IMHO