| BMW's Z4 and M Coupes to Debut in June
A production version of the BMW Z4 Coupe concept that dazzled attendees at the 2005 Frankfurt and Tokyo auto shows will go on sale June 2006. BMW is also working on a high-performance version of the Z4 coupe, called the M Coupe, to hit showrooms at the same time.
These two coupes come at a crucial time as sales of BMW's Z4 Roadster continue to slump. Only 808 Z4 Roadsters were sold in the month of October, a decline of 45.6 percent compared to the same month last year, according to CNW Market Research. Year-to-date sales of the Z4 Roadster are down 29.4 percent versus the same period last year.
The Z4 Coupe will be built at the company's Spartanburg, S.C. plant and will feature the same in-line six-cylinder 255-horsepower engine powering the Z4 roadster. The M Coupe will be powered by the 3.2-liter high-output engine in the current M3 Coupe.
The new Z4 Coupe's attractive rear styling stands in contrast to the quirky looks of this car's predecessor, the Z3 Coupe, which looked like a sort of pint-sized station-wagon with a truncated tail.
While BMW has not released any information regarding performance and handling, expect the Z4 Coupe to have improved handling and a quieter interior versus the Z4 Roadster, thanks to its rigid roof.
Sourced from ForbesAutos.com
by Matthew de Paula | 
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