The monstrous M Coupé has been defined as the “other” BMW - unbridled, uncompromising and brash. We bring you its replacement, the Z5, a no-holds-barred driving machine combining styling influences from the new Z3 and X Coupé concept.
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The monstrous M Coupé has been defined as the “other” BMW - unbridled, uncompromising and brash. We bring you its replacement, the Z5, a no-holds-barred driving machine combining styling influences from the new Z3 and X Coupé concept.

AutoExpress recently revealed the first glimpse of the car BMW has codenamed Z5. The Z5’s front lights are distinctively different from any of those in the current BMW range, although the rear lamps are reportedly identical to those that were first shown on the X Coupé. Motoring scribes in Europe have speculated that this radical coupé will challenge the Porsche 911 for the top spot in its class, but it was also designed to counter a growing number of Japanese performance cars, such as the Nissan GT-R, the Mazda RX-8 and next-generation Honda NSX.

The Z5 is best described as a lightweight 2-plus-2, powered by a 179 kW 2,2-litre engine capable of propelling the car from zero to 100 km/h in less than 5,5 seconds. AutoExpress revealed that the Z5 will probably be limited to 250 km/h - as is the case with all production BMWs. An advanced edition of the SMG semi-automatic, currently offered on the new M3, will be fitted to the Z5.

Incredibly, BMW sources have suggested that the Z5 might retail for around R540 000 - a reasonably competitive price for a car being compared with Porsche 911. With only one engine choice initially on offer, flagship editions will cost no more than R630 000, AutoExpress reported.

The newcomer has had the support of BMW’s management since 1999. At that time, they were also considering a V8 coupé aimed at Jaguar's XKR, and a R3,6 million V10-powered supercar penned as the spiritual predecessor of the legendary M1.

“Codenamed Z29, the V8 was deemed too close to the Z8 and forthcoming 6-Series… the V10 machine, known as M2, was too expensive. As a result, the Z5 is the only project to have made it to prototype stage. It is based on a similar platform to the one on the forthcoming Z3,” the AutoExpress report said.

The Z5 is reportedly made largely of aluminium and features a kevlar boot, bonnet and door panels. The car is expected to weigh a little over a ton, and wheel manufacturer BBS will produce a set of lightweight alloys especially for the ϋber Beemer.

Although front-engined, the model's proportions show that engineers are pursuing a design with the motor mounted as far back as possible in the chassis to help improve weight distribution and handling. The Z5 will feature BMW’s DSC traction-control system as well as ABS.

“BMW is also expected to make much of its F1 experience to help sell the new car at its launch late in 2003. It is even possible that the engines will be badged to celebrate the firm's long association with race machine builder Williams,” the report said.

As the model is developed, BMW is also rumoured to be in the process of developing an all-new V8 edition of the coupé, although this model could debut only as late as 2008.

Original article from Car