As the new BMW Z4 is making its impressive entrance, another question arises in the mind of BMW fans:  should BMW build the rumored Z2 Roadster? In the past few months, more and more information regarding a future Z2 started to leak to the press and caused some controversy between the bimmer fans.

They believe the new E89 Z4 has moved away from the typical roadster type and the increased weight - between the E85 and E89 of around 200 lbs - makes the Z4 unlikely to be more dynamic  than the E85, a car with already excellent handling. Some people believe that the image of a sport ride will shy away with the new Z4 and the introduction of a smaller, more dynamic roadster is the right answer.

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We can debate whether the “four-door coupe” is a genuine segment or merely a bit of marketing piffle, but that isn’t stopping the genre from swelling at an impressive rate. The next chapter in the burgeoning niche looks to be written by Audi, as the German automaker has just confirmed that a conceptual version of their new A7 will debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show. As its nomenclature would suggest, it is expected that the A7 will slot in between the A6 and the A8 in both mission and price, likely with running gear derived from the former.

The neither-fish-nor-fowl A7 will take on the soon-to-be-refreshed Mercedes CLS and potentially the denied-but-apparently-still-being-developed BMW CS.

According to Automotive News, Audi hopes to shift about 40,000 units of the slippery A7 worldwide, but it is unclear if this figure is model-range wide (a hardtop convertible is expected), or just the standard A7. In either case, sales are expected to commence in late 2009 or in the first quarter of 2010.

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G-POWER has done it again. The M3 Hurricane can now be named the fastest sedan in the world, breaking a long-standing record of the Brabus Rocket. Back in March, we wrote about G-Power’s tuning program, named “Hurricane”, and also about their 730 horsepower M5.

At the time, the M5 ran the track with a top speed of 200 mph, but G-Power had bigger plans for their M5. In November 2008, G-POWER M5 Hurricane RS achieved a top speed of 228.4 mph (367,59 km/h). The previous 227.2 mph (365,7 km/h) hold by the Brabus, has been broken. The test took place on tracks in Papenburg.

While the Brabus has a V12, G-Power uses only a simple V10 from the shelves of BMW and modified this engine with other two superchargers from G-POWER’s technology partner ASA, with enlarged capacity.

According to G-POWER the BI-Kompressor system could be raised from 0,7 bar rel. to 0,8 bar rel., but the system has not reached its limit yet. Companies representatives confirmed that if needed,  the system could be improved and the M5 Hurricane could be taken to a whole new level.

Which level that might be, time will tell. We’re almost positive that Brabus has something in-works to regain the lost status.

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A teaser sketch of Alpina’s forthcoming B7 model based on the latest generation BMW 7-Series sedan, has appeared on the net. There’s no information whatsoever on the car, but the drawing reveals that the new B7 will feature a subtle bodykit that includes Alpina’s characteristic front lip spoiler, rocker panels and a discreet rear spoiler complemented by the German firm’s multispoke alloy wheels.
If the previous B7 model with its supercharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that produced 500HP and 516 pound-feet of torque for a 4.8-second sprint to 60 mph (96 km/h) is anything to go by, then Alpina’s take on the new 7-Series should be an exciting toy for those that feel the need to stand out from the crowd.

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MCCHIP has introduced a new tuning package for BMW’s controversially styled X6 SAV. The kit concerns the xDrive35d or in other words, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel version. With MCCHIP’s software upgrades the inline-6 turbo diesel engine delivers 340HP and 660 Nm, up from the standard car’s 286HP and 580 Nm. This enables the X6 xDrive35d to boost the maximum speed from 238 to 251 km/h. The engine kit is complemented by an H&R suspension system that lowers the X6’s ride height by40mm up front and 30mm in the back, and a set of 21-inch black alloy wheels. Prices for the upgrades have been set in Germany at €849 for the ECU and at €1,266 for the suspension kit, alloy wheels and the dark chrome BMW kidney grille.

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After initially confirming that its CS Concept was a precursor to an upcoming production model, BMW then went back and said no, the CS would not be produced after all. But now fresh new spy pictures have surfaced and these point to the resurrection of a CS-based sports saloon.

The CS was conceived, according to Director of Design, Chris Bangle, holistically as a four-door saloon. It is thus larger in dimension than a 7 Series, sits four passengers, boasts aggressive front end styling, a sloping rear and an engine bay reserved for something very powerful. So the Porsche Panamera would be the most natural rival, alongside Audi’s upcoming A7 and Aston Martin Rapide. Some have even speculated that it would bring back the 8 Series name tag.

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BMW will unveil the all-new Z4 roadster at the Detroit Auto Show next month, but there’s no need to wait for the show in Motown to see the car in non-spyshot form, as all the Euro-spec details were officially released when the clock struck midnight in Munich. We’re into the new bodywork, which is pretty voluptuous compared to the preceding model, with a hint of 507 lineage evident in the car’s lines. Follow the jump for the rest of the skinny.

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