Plans are afoot at BMW to come out with a two-seater roadster that would compete with the Audi R8 and the Mercedes SLS. The report also pointed out that the new car from BMW would carry the badge ‘Z9’.
Z9 is going to be the flagship of BMW in their supercar model lineup as production of the previous BMW flagship car, the Z8 has been stopped. The Z9 model in its prototype form was first noticed at the 2005 Los Angeles Motor Show wherein it was displayed as the California Spyder concept. Its framework was a low-slung drop-top with carbonfiber bodywork. It was powered by a 700bhp BMW F1 engine of 17,000 rpm.
The California Concept project was shelved in 2007, which was also the time when BMW stopped participating in Formula One races, something that the company attributes to the global economic slowdown. Now with the economy once again rising and showing signs of attaining stability, the project has one again been restarted albeit in a different form as the Z9. The Z9 however would be launched with the conventional engines revving it up.
From the sketches taken of the California Spyder and the Vision EfficientDynamics concept both of which were shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, it is evident that the general proportions would resemble a classic roaster. Like its smaller version of the Z4 the driver gets to be placed very near to the rear wheels. It has a longish bonnet and tiny front and rear overhangs. All this gives the car a sporting look.
The double-bubble deck at the rear might remind one of the Porsche’s Boxster Spyder and lends a retro feel to the car. The new design boss, Adrian Van Hooydonk’s trade mark design, that of layered surfacing can be seen on the Z9. The rear diffuser and active front splitter has been designed to change shape automatically in response to varying speeds to provide for better flow of air around the car, which in turn will lead to enhanced fuel efficiency.
Carbonfiber reinforced plastic (CRFP) is being used for the body of the car. This material has been developed and is being produced by SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers. This would make the car lighter yet stronger. The new flagship roadster will be based on BMW’s large car platform namely those dericed from the 5, 6, and 7 series BMWs. Subframes and suspension would be made from both aluminium and magnesium to shave off further weight. The passenger cell would however be made of CFRP and the cell would be installed right over the chassis. The same material will also go into the making of various other portions of the car which also includes folding hardtop of the car.
BMW’s urban electric car is considered to the prime reason for bringing back the roadster project back into reckoning.
Sources: 4wheelsnews & Autoexpress
