We previously posted a rumor report that indicated the possible electrification of the upcoming BMW Z4. Going hybrid with the aid of Toyota was the alleged plan, which is now being contested by the freshest of these rumors.
It comes from the Aussies at Motoring, which have been highly prolific lately in providing us with rumors from a number of different manufacturers – whether you believe all of them, is a different story.
This time, they say that while Toyota is involved in the development of the upcoming Z4 (that hasn’t changed), the new Z-car will not be a hybrid from the start, relying on a new 3.0-liter straight-six, with the internal code designation B58, that supposedly makes nearly 340 hp and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft).
A hybrid variant is planned, though, but it will arrive some time after the conventional model is launched.
Their source is the (local) senior BMW product spokesman Kai Lichte, with whom they spoke on the sidelines of the Aussie launch of the 2-Series Active Tourer.
Lichte said “first of all we will have the six-cylinder engine that’s for sure. Everything else will be – might be – later. But it’s really too early [to discuss].”
The new Z4 is set to go on sale in 2017, so they have plenty of time to fill in the gaps by then.
Note: The rendering is Alexander Imnadze’s M3i unofficial concept
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