Another Performance Flagship on the BMW Roster

The German automaker, BMW, has recently announced that it will uncover its curtains off a new high-end sportscar concept in Shanghai. Some auto analysts have claimed that the aforementioned sports car could reach production which will be dubbed as the Z9. Do not get confused about the previous Z9 which BMW used on a gull-winged concept at the 1999 Frankfurt Auto Show with a convertible version making the show circuit in 2000.

The sportscar gives off a singular look with the Z4, making it its big brother. It’s a canvas-topped two-seater with a long nozzle and a rear-wheel drive. European publications sources have reported that BMW still haven’t decided to whether equip the vehicle with a 5.0-liter V10 from the M5/M6 or a new 6.3-liter V12 driving a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

Yes, the Z9 is supposed to replace the failed retro-look of the Z8. BMW’s last limited-edition performance roadster, the Z8 sold fewer than 6,000 units between the 2000 and 2003. The company’s sales target for the Z9 is 15,000 units a year. We could all assume that the BMW studio is being asked to come with a more aggressive style than the hapless and plain Z8.

Also, the Z9 is BMW’s latest entry into the supercar market segment. The car’s BMW parts will be built primarily of carbon-fiber and aluminum superframe chassis on which the combination yields a power-to-weight ratio of 458 hp per ton beating the heck out of Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430. BMW focuses on pitting the two-seater against the Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SL particularly.

Open-topped, the carbon-fiber folding roof allows keeping weight and the center of gravity down. It will include tech-heavy innovations together with active spoilers and a venturi underbody to suck onto the tarmac.

We’ll just wait and see for the production model to come out. In the meantime, log onto BMW’s official site for more details.