Z4 promises kept; Still want that Cayman S?(News)

Byline: GREG KABLE

Within seconds of BMW boss Helmut Panke removing the veil from the Z4 Coupe concept at the Frankfurt motor show last month, the swoopy two-door was swamped by those eager to get a closer look at Munich's latest driving machine. The very next day a series of photographs revealing a prototype version of the new BMW landed in AutoWeek's e-mail system. The lightly disguised test mule looked even more remarkable than the car we witnessed making its world debut less than 24 hours earlier.

Not because it was altered in any great way from the more fancily attired concept simultaneously basking in the limelight on BMW's expansive show stand. No, it was more because the Z4 Coupe's appearance guaranteed Panke's self-proclaimed desire to place the new two-seater into production, not only in standard 3.0-liter 265-hp guise, but also with the BMW M division's magnificent 3.2-liter 343-hp engine from the M3.

"This is not the last you'll see of this car,'' Panke had proclaimed. "The decision to build such an emotional two-seat sports coupe as a regular production model is almost too obvious.''

BMW said the appearance of the prototype so soon after the concept car was merely an unhappy coincidence. Not, as some suggested, part of a broader campaign aimed at stealing thunder from the similarly conceived Porsche Cayman, which was also making its first public appearance at Frankfurt. Whatever the case, any lingering doubts about the new car reaching production evaporated overnight.

BMW's answer to the likes of the Cayman, Audi TT Coupe, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Nissan 350Z is based, as its name suggests, on the rear-drive Z4 Roadster, now in its third year of production. Despite relatively poor sales of its predecessor, the Z3 Coupe, BMW believes the market for two-seat coupes is on the rebound and is looking to the Z4 Coupe to add a further element of excitement to its lineup.

After being forced to defend many of BMW's designs of late, Panke appeared relieved to find the Z4 Coupe garnering a warm reception at the Frankfurt show. Appearing far more cohesive than the old Z3 Coupe-a car BMW once claimed was styled in an old barn by a team of renegade engineers-the Z4 Coupe manages to add a heavily curved double-bubble roof, rear side windows, versatile liftback and 6 Series-style trunk lid to the familiar shape of the Z4 Roadster without appearing contrived or overwrought.