BMW’s Bringing Something New To Monterey, And It’s Probably The Z4

Among the festivities at this year’s Monterey Car Week will be “the World Premiere of an all-new BMW production car,” the Bavarian automaker has announced. And while it hasn’t identified what that model will be, we’re gonna go out on a limb here and guess that it’s the new Z4.

Introduced in 2009 and discontinued in 2016, the departure of the last (second-generation) Z4 has left something of a hole in BMW’s lineup – leaving rivals like the Audi TT, Porsche 718, and Mercedes SLC to dice up the market for small roadsters between themselves. But Munich has been working with Toyota to develop an all-new model, which the Japanese automaker will turn into its new Supra, and BMW a new Z4.

“The identity of the World Premiere model will be revealed closer to the time of the press conference,” the manufacturer said in the released statement. “Suffice it to say that this new model will certainly be an emotional addition to the BMW range.”

Whatever it is, the “emotional” new model will appear alongside the new M850i coupe and M8 Gran Coupe concept – both of which will be marking their North American debuts at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – one year after it showcased the 8 Series Coupe concept at the same event. BMW also revealed Z4 concept there last year, and the Zagato Roadster concept at the same event in 2012.

“The BMW 8 Series will take over as the new flagship model of the BMW line-up and, as such, combines unsurpassed sportiness and elegance,” said chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk. “The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe offers a look ahead to the most exotic and alluring variant of the new BMW 8 Series.” We’re looking forward to seeing both on the lawn at Pebble Beach, and even more to seeing the unidentified new model unveiled for the first time.