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STORY

The BMW Z4 is BMW's modern two-seat roadster, the successor to the Z3 and a continuation of a sports-car lineage that runs back through the Z8 to the 507. Launched in 2002, the first Z4 replaced the Z3's curves with sharp, controversial "flame surfacing" and, like its predecessor, was built at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the US.

Later generations refined the formula. The current Z4 was co-developed with Toyota, which used the shared platform for its revived Supra, splitting development costs while keeping distinct characters: a soft-top roadster for BMW, a hardtop coupe for Toyota. Available with punchy turbocharged engines and, notably, a manual gearbox on the top model, the Z4 keeps the classic front-engined, rear-drive BMW roadster alive in the modern range.