BMW's Cayman

As a clear rival to the Porsche Cayman, the Z4 Coupe will be on sale with six-cylinder power within a year. Even better news is that a full-on 'M' version will be on sale shortly afterwards. The same engine will go into the Z4 roadster at the same time, creating spiritual successors to the characterful Z3-based M-Roadster and M-Coupe. 'The Coupe wasn't part of our original strategy for the Z4,' confesses Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW's new director of design, who has taken over from the controversial Chris Bangle, 'but it was quickly clear to us that a coupe based on the roadster would work.' Apparently, even before the Z4 roadster was introduced, unofficial sketches of possible coupe versions were circulating among the design team. The new car looks far less awkward than the cobbled-together previous-generation M-Coupe. The Z4's long bonnet and short rear overhang work well with the taller new roof and fastback rear section, integrating neatly into the muscular contours of the unchanged rear wheelarch. This is more than just a permanent hardtop - the rear windows are completely new and from the rear three-quarters the Coupe does a pleasing impression of a slightly deflated Ferrari 575. 'Think of it as a pocket GT,' says Hooydonk. 'It's a car that's all about packaging around the tightest possible dimensions - compact but with a powerful engine and, most importantly, space for two people and their luggage.' The roof features a distinctive crease, separating the driver and passenger sides of the cabin. 'We wanted to make the car look as if it's been shrink-wrapped around its occupants,' Hooydonk explains. 'We don't need the space in the middle so it was natural to put the crease in, and the negative shape this gives us is in keeping with the surface treatment of the rest of the car.' As with the Cayman, the Z4 Coupe's rear hatchback gives access to a surprisingly generous amount of luggage space. The concept's plush beige leather cabin is also a 'good indication' of what the finished car's interior will look like, suggesting that BMW is intending to market and price the Coupe at a premium over the roadster - something Porsche is also attempting with the Cayman. The show car was sprayed in very smart satin-finish paint (originally developed for BMW's off-road motorbikes) and Hooydonk admits that positive reaction from show-goers is likely to see this considered for production. The torsional benefits of the metal roof mean the Coupe should drive better than the already-impressive roadster, with firmer springs and dampers on both the standard car and the 'M'. It's intended to be far more exclusive than the roadster, only accounting for 10 to 15 per cent of total Z4 production. Only two engines will be offered. The standard car will most likely share its 3-litre straight-six with the existing range-topping roadster, although BMW won't rule out using the turbo version of the same engine that soon makes its debut in the 3-series. The M version will take the current M3's 3.2-litre six-pot, but not the all-new V8 being developed for the forthcoming E90 M3. With at least 338bhp to call on, it should have a clear performance advantage over the 295bhp Porsche Cayman S. Although not confirming an M version, van Hooydonk admitted it should be possible to turn up the styling still further. Widespread acceptance and admiration for the new car was in contrast to the lukewarm response that greeted earlier Bangle-era show cars. Does van Hooydonk think the tide has turned? 'No - BMW design has never been driven by what one person likes. Chris Bangle was hired to create a design language that works with the wider audience and we've been proved right over the last five years - just look at the sales figures. We took a decision to add individuality and personality to the way our cars look, to move the game on. People have lots of options these days and they're going to choose a product that suits their character. It's not like we ever changed our beliefs; BMW design has never been about cut and paste.'