Home / Motoring / Sports Cars

BMW’s Next Big Sports Car Could Be the One That Tesla Still Hasn’t Brought Back

Munich could be cooking up a new all-electric halo sports car that might serve as a Z4 replacement.

Rear side view of a green BMW convertible showing the rear wheel with a black and silver alloy rim, red brake caliper, and part of the taillight and exhaust pipe. The car has a brown leather seat visible inside.BMW USA
Chris Chin

By Chris Chin

Published

·

BMW is looking into making another sports car to complement its lineup, but the rumormill suggests it isn’t going to be powered by internal combustion. Rather, Australia’s Drive reports a new electric vehicle could take the role as the brand’s next halo car.

The Bavarian automaker just commenced the production rollout of its next-gen Neue Klasse vehicles. The first to kick off the strategy is the new iX3 SUV, which we got a chance to check out last week.

It’s the brand’s biggest range shakeup since the automaker launched the revolutionary and tech-forward E65 7 Series in 2002.

A dark green BMW convertible sports car driving on a winding road with a mountainous and forested background. The car has a sleek design with black and silver wheels, and the driver is visible inside. The road has guardrails on the right side and the scene is captured in daylight with clear skies.
BMW will discontinue the current Z4 after this year.
BMW USA

Not only does the Neue Klasse era usher in BMW’s latest electrification efforts. It marks the biggest stylistic and conceptual change to its lineup since that E65 7 Series.

That means everything from the 3 Series to the X5 will be getting a complete makeover, and the choice of either gas, hybrid or all-electric propulsion.

But the future of models like the Z4, or whether the i8 will get a successor remains a big mystery.

BMW’s next halo sports car could be an epic new EV

Green BMW convertible sports car driving on a road at sunset with a clear sky and grassy landscape in the background. The car has a sleek design with black rims and red brake calipers.
The next-gen Z4 could become an all-electric Neue Klasse model.
BMW USA

While nothing’s been confirmed from Munich’s finest, BMW hasn’t ruled out or negated any possibility for a future sports car. So far, the brand’s invested over $11 billion into the Neue Klasse program.

Spy photos and other media began surfacing of an odd, yet mysterious small-bodied BMW prototype over the past year. Some suggested it could be a successor to the current Z4. BMW will discontinue the Z4 this year, making it due for replacement.

Green BMW Z4 M40i convertible with the top down, shown from the rear three-quarter view on an open paved area with a partly cloudy sky in the background. The car features black and silver alloy wheels and tan leather seats.
The current Z4 has been in production since 2018.
BMW USA

While others pondered about the possibility of a follow-up to the i8, the supposed prototype’s dimensions suggest something closer to the Z4.

Additionally, Drive also learned that the new sports car will take the role of the Z4, since its discontinuation coincides with the Toyota Supra. Toyota will also be discontinuing the Supra after this year, which shares its underpinnings with the Z4.

BMW car interior featuring a black leather-wrapped steering wheel with the BMW logo and M badge, digital instrument cluster displaying navigation and vehicle information, a wide central infotainment screen showing a map, dual-zone climate control with digital temperature readouts, and a gear shift lever with the M logo. The interior includes black and tan leather seats, door controls for windows and locks, and various buttons for driving modes and media control.
If BMW’s next sports car goes all-electric, it’ll sadly do without the manual transmission.
BMW USA

Should the new sports car happen, rumors suggest it could be all-electric. If it takes form as a convertible, it would certainly ruffle Tesla’s feathers, as Elon Musk claimed the iconic Roadster was going to come back.

But it’s been several years since any development surfaced in regards to Musk’s claims. Should the BMW happen, it’ll certainly beat the EV automaker to the electric sports convertible punch.

A BMW i8 successor was planned, but later canned

Two BMW i8 sports cars are parked on a dark asphalt road with a rocky, mountainous landscape in the background. One car is a metallic bronze convertible with its top down, and the other is a silver coupe. The sun is low on the horizon, casting a warm golden light and lens flare across the scene.
BMW tried developing an i8 successor, but canceled the project due to lack of interest.
BMW USA

Those still pondering about a new i8 successor still aren’t met with likely news. The Roundel supposedly started researching and developing a new high-end performance car. But due to a change in market and slow projected sales, BMW canned the idea in December 2024.

But despite no i8 successor, that still hasn’t stopped BMW product planners from drumming up a bespoke halo sports car.

Green BMW convertible sports car with black and silver alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and tan leather interior, parked on an open asphalt surface under a partly cloudy sky.
If BMW makes an all-electric convertible sports car, it’ll beat Tesla who was supposed to revive the Roadster years ago.
BMW USA

Additionally, BMW’s board member for product development, Joachim Post, told Drive that the company’s plan for Neue Klasse is to remain flexible. Thus, the possibility of a new sports car isn’t entirely off the table.

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

+ Add on Google
,