Auto spy Hans Lehmann and his p-shop jockeys at Hidden Image released a spec image of the next roadster from BMW, dubbed Z6. Winding Road speculates the larger, sleeker droptop will replace the weak-selling Z4, while Germany's AutoBild talks of wider expansion throughout the Z universe to include an entry-level Z2 and high-end Z8 supercar. There's no doubt the spec has a more pleasing line than the current Z, but maybe Hans and his minions should rethink that headlight assembly, which may have been cribbed from a Hyundai minivan concept. – Mike Spinelli

Will BMW's Next Z4 Look Like This? [Winding Road]

Related:
Eine Kleine Roadstermusik: 2009 BMW Z2, Z4, Z6, Z8? [internal]

Italian BMW tuner Racing Dynamics appears to have dropped some info regarding BMW's new supercar, apparently to be called the M10. A rendering of the car (above) was accompanied by the following blurb:

The Racing Dynamics RS55 Coupe

655 HP and a top speed in excess of 215 MPH. The V10-powered Racing Dynamics RS55 is based on the upcoming M10 supercar from BMW, and will likely see the showroom floor by the end of 2009.

If this respected tuner's Web site is to be believed, looks like the tuners have already gotten the specs from the Bayerische boys, and are running with them. Look out, AMG. (FYI: Go to the Racing Dynamics home page and wait a few seconds for the graphic to change.)

[via Autoblog.nl]

Related:
If 9 Were 6: BMW's Rumored "Z9" or "Z10" May Be New "Z6" Supercar; Eine Kleine Roadstermusik: 2009 BMW Z2, Z4, Z6, Z8? [internal]

Germany's AutoBild elaborates on the story of BMW's upcoming Z2 roadster, a stripped-down MX-5 beater that's been the talk of blogosapiens from here to Tristan da Cunha (now all they need is some roads). AB says BMW strategists don't consider classes or categories of cars, as much as they conceptualize "universes" surrounding its models — the Mini universe, the X universe, the Z universe, etc. That last one, the magazine says, will expand around the time the Z4's successor arrives in 2009, with the darty Z2 and top-line Z8 (in defiance of rumors indicating it'd be called Z6) joining the Z orbit (ooh, spacy). The new models will be redesigned in an effort to boost the sagging sales of the current generation. We read that as less flame-surfacing and more new hotness. We'll see.

Fahrspa vom Kleinsten [AutoBild]

Related:
Is BMW Working on a Z2 Roadster? [internal]

The rumor pot regarding BMW's rumored Z6 Mercedes SL-beater continues on a low simmer. But what will a changing of the guard at BMW mean for the project? The latest comes from Car4, which reports today BMW's new chairman, Norbert Reithofer — who will replace Helmut Panke in September — wants to bring this model to production. Other than that, conjecture remains status quo: inspired by the California Spyder concept (see below the fold), using an aluminium spaceframe structure, fitted with components from the 5- and 6-Series, and the M5/M6's V10 under the hood. Hurry up, now, and wait.

BMW Z6: more rumours [4Car]

Related:
If 9 Were 6: BMW's Rumored "Z9" or "Z10" May Be New "Z6" Supercar [internal]

BMW bosses have already admitted a flagship project is in the works. Now, according to the UK's Autocar magazine, that project could be the Z6. Based on the 6-Series, natch, the new supercar — which had once been rumored to be dubbed "Z9" or "Z10" — will show off some of the weight-saving technologies the Bimmer boys have been concocting of late, including the use of magnesium and likely some sort of space-frame contraption. It could also have a turbocharged V8. Don't think Z8 replacement with this one, though; it's reportedly set to be a higher-volume model, and one that will serve as a technology leader for the rest of the company's cars. It'd also be the company's first supercar since the M1. Get excited. Note: The picture at right is from Autocar's first coverage, not the latest.

The Z6: lighter, greener and a tech showcase [Pistonheads]

Related:
BMW's In-Development Z10 Supercar Due in 2008 [internal]