By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse
Another popular two-seater sports car is about to bite the dust with news that production of the BMW Z4 is coming to an end after 23 years.
The Z4 arrived in the UK in 2003, replacing the Z3. A coupe version was introduced in 2006 following the initial roadster launch. Top of the range was the 228bhp Z4 3.0i roadster.
The second generation arrived in 2009 and the current model came out in 2018.
Over time 47,000 Z4s have cruised our roads and 35,024 are still still registered in the UK.
It was an eye-catching sports car with its long bonnet and short cab look – a step up from the more compact Z3, launched in 1995.
Under the bonnet there has been various engine options from a 2.0 litre four-cylinder unit to 2.5, 3.0 and 3.2 litre six-cylinder models.
Interestingly, in a tie up between BMW and Toyota the later Z4 and GR Supra cars shared mechanical similarities including the same platform and engines.
A final edition of the Z4, complete with luxury fittings, is coming out in January 2026, before global production ends two months later! It will join its ‘sibling’, the Supra, in closing down.
Sadly, the move seems to follow a trend of popular petrol-powered roadsters disappearing from our showrooms. The Audi TT and Porsche Boxster spring to mind!
For BMW, it leaves a line-up without a sports car for the first time in 30 years.
and neither Alfa Romeo or Fiat which is even more sad (says this past owner of 2 x Alfa Spiders and currently has a last of the line Fiat 124 Spider). Of course we can always rely on MG?
And the MX5.