BMW Z2 Roadster rendered

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the possibility BMW will soon introduce a smaller, cheaper roadster to fit in under the Z4. The rumored timetable for the new vehicle would involve a conceptual introduction sometime in 2016, followed by a production model a year later.

To keep costs down, and also make sure the new BMW Z2 didn’t cannibalize sales of the popular RWD Z4 roadster, BMW are said to be developing the car as a FWD model. It would make sense then that the car would share some components with BMW’s only other front-drive vehicle, the 2-Series Active Tourer. BMW could also quite easily look to MINI for a suitable platform for the new roadster. Either way, it’s the front wheels that will be providing the traction.

Many will see that FWD layout as the final nail in the coffin for BMW’s once revered tagline of “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. But to be fair BMW have diversified their range to such an extent now that it’s been more or less irrelevant as a selling point for several years.

The BMW Z2 would be lighter and simpler than the Z4, but be more luxurious and refined than anything from MINI. It would also have a wider appeal than the niche MINI Roadster or Convertible models – which really only ever find their way into the hands of people under the age of 30, or post-menopausal women.

BMW have a number of small displacement 4-cylinder engines to choose from, which would work nicely with the budget, economical nature of the vehicle.

Using the BMW Zagato Roadster as a starting point, Theophilus Chin has created what he thinks the new BMW Z2 might look like. To be fair the changes are very subtle. At the front he’s modified the kidney grilles and deleted the “Z” badges, while at the rear the darkened tail lights have been replaced with something a little more production ready.

Either way, if BMW are going to put the car into production, it’s not a bad place to start. And with BMW saying they intend to develop up to 12 new front-wheel drive models before 2020, a stylish Z2 sportscar might act as a nice little halo car for the new front-drive range.