As always, the rumor mill is churning at full tilt, this time being fueled by the possibility of a smaller BMW roadster. The rumored roadster is said to be an open-air two-seater based on the BMW 1-series. The baby Z4 is said to be named the Z2 and would take over as BMW’s entry-level vehicle.
According to AutoZeitung, the Z2 has made it to the highest level of discussions within BMW, with its fate set to be decided on by the end of this year. While no decision has been made on the entry-level roadster, inside sources say the Z2 has a strong shot of making production.
If the Z2 ultimately gets the green light, it would be powered by a range of four-cylinder engines, with the top offering being a turbocharged unit rated at 211 hp. While 211 ponies won’t make it the fastest BMW in history, a strong focus on light-weight will allow the baby Z hit 60 in about 7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 150 mph. Although the next-generation Z4 is rumored to be available with either a hard or soft convertible top, the Z2 would do with a conventional soft top.
Sadly, even if the Z2 does make production, it probably won’t be coming to the States anytime soon as a premium alternative to the Mazda MX-5. However, residents of Europe might be able to get their hands on the Z2 as early as 2012 for about 25,000 bucks.
But with changing market conditions and a new focus on fuel-economy, it’s quite possible that we could see the Z2 on U.S. shores by the middle of next decade.
