SPY PICS: BMW Z5

Spy photographers at Automedia recently snapped these pics of what is claimed to be a disguised test mule of the forthcoming BMW/Toyota sports car undergoing winter testing.

But is it?

BMW's vice-president of drivetrain research, Matthias Klietz, told motoring.com.au at this year's Detroit motor show that this scenario is incorrect. "There will be nothing whatsoever from the Toyota and BMW partnership in production next year or 2017. 2019 is probably the best bet," he said.

Given that the car pictured here looks to be well along the path of development and is rumoured to be ready for a 2017 introduction, indications are the BMW Z5 may not in fact be part of the Toyota-BMW programme and could be an entirely separate development.

That the test mule is a Z4/Z5 we have little doubt.

The proportions show it to be in the classic front engine, rear drive mould, and its size looks more Z4/Z5 than the smaller 2 Series convertible. The expectation that the next BMW 2 Series could be front-drive in future would put paid to the development of a new rear-drive version of that model too.

Our suggestion is that the car spied here is in fact the Z4 replacement, and that it may have no connection with the Toyota programme. Either that, or BMW and Toyota are well ahead of themselves.

Further support for our contention is that the photo car's identity as a Z5 comes from not just its obvious front engine, rear-drive configuration and apparent size, but also from the convertible roof: The current Z4 uses a full metal jacket where this one clearly sports a folding soft-top roof.

It's almost certainly something entirely new, which the Z5 surely will be.

So what is the Z5? And how closely does it follow the themes established in the Z4?

Well, although we don't mean to be rude, the spy photos, if they are any indication, aren't encouraging as to the styling. The lines appear to encroach on conservativeness, with little sign of neither the long-bonnet, short-tail proportions of the Z4, nor of the bold body sculpting that has characterised the macho front-engined sports convertible. And although it may have little relevance to the finished product, the wheels look tiddly too.

These photos don't show it, but Automedia reckons the Z5 will feature a polarising, futuristic design. If that's to be the case, the test mule effectively disguises anything adventurous.

Under the skin, the engine line-up could be expected to include versions of the BMW four and six-cylinder powerplants currently in use, and you can bet a Z5 M will be part of the lineup.

And while any fruits of the BMW/Toyota relationship are not expected to come to bear until late 2019 or early 2020, word is that the BMW Z5 will appear on overseas markets in mid 2017. Australia is likely to follow not long after.

Stay tuned as more information on both the Z5 and the BMW/Toyota cooperation come to hand.