BMW has canned proposals to introduce a hot M-badged version of its latest Z4 metal-roofed roadster.
You guessed it, the credit crunch gets the blame for a decision that’s being widely reported around the web today, with a reports of an unnamed BMW spokesman stating the economic crisis leaves ‘no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4’.
While the previous Z4 M offered performance on a par with Porsche’s Boxster S thanks to
a 330bhp engine shared with the BMW M3, customers wanting significant extra performance from the latest E89 series Z4s – currently offered with up to 303bhp from its twin-turbo six - will likely have to pursue the aftermarket tuning route.
However all is not lost for fans of the M badge, as BMW is reportedly considering an ‘M Sport’ package that will include body parts, bigger alloy wheels, suspension tweaks – and a 20bhp ECU upgrade lifting engine output to 326bhp.