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We rarely talk about the Z4, mainly because sales of the soft-top roadster are bad. Due to reduced customer demand, BMW didn’t bother updating the two-seater sports car, knowing it wouldn’t be worth the hassle. However, a small rear-wheel drive engine with an electrically mountable fabric roof will still pass the typical Impulse Lifecycle.
For the first time, our spies have seen the Z4 LCI in and out. Even though the prototype body is completely camouflaged, we don’t expect major changes. In fact, the only visible modification is on the front where the bumper has been redesigned, but nothing to note. BMW left the headlights and taillights exposed because they were borrowed from current cars. It’s unclear if the more evolved test vehicles will have updates to the lighting cluster.
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While our spies weren’t able to peek inside, some of the attached spy photos show the prototype has the current Z4 dashboard design. In other words, this sporty roadster still uses the old iDrive 7 instead of switching to a new setup with side-by-side screens. Traditionalists would argue that it’s all for the better as keeping the current layout means the facelifted Z4 will retain separate HVAC controls rather than being swallowed up by the touchscreen.
Why isn’t BMW giving away its new Z4 iDrive 8? For the same reason design tweaks will be kept to a minimum – the return on investment won’t be sufficient given the convertible’s weak sales. In a bid to rejuvenate demand, it is believed a manual gearbox will be offered for the six-cylinder engine (M40i) compared to today when only the smaller four-pot factory is equipped with a clutch pedal. The move will follow Toyota’s decision to introduce the Supra 3.0 with a stick shift.
According to people familiar with BMW’s agenda, the Z4 LCI will enter production in November. If that’s true, that means we’re only a few months away from the official premiere. The G29 model as it is known among fans will reportedly cease to exist in October 2025 when the Magna Steyr will end production at its Graz plant in Austria, with no immediate replacement in sight.
In fact, BMW is believed to be streamlining its convertible offerings by combining the two-door 4 Series and 8 Series two-door models into a resurrected 6 Series in early 2026. The eccentric 6 GT is still on offer in some markets. could disappear while the 8 Series Gran Coupe is rumored to last.
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