August 28: BMW - finally!

Count on BMW to conjure up some excruciatingly beautiful designs, such as the 6 series Gran Coupe and the new 8 series (actual) coupe, but also to do some just plain excruciating designs, such as the X6 of any vintage. Seriously, can you imagine how any designer could pen this monstrosity and feel good about themselves when it reached production........

A great road car and wicked fast with the M version, but whenever I see one today, it brings tears to my eyes and they ain't tears of joy. This car was based on the Z3 cabrio, which was a whole other matter of bad design........

A mousy looking front end with a way too short truncated rear end. Not a good look no matter how who designed it. Not a beauty queen, but by comparison to its predecessor, well maybe, I shouldn't be so harsh.......

Missing its doors? Not a chance, this is the way the Z1 came off the production line, so the Z3 looked like a fully finished super model when viewed side by side. To be honest, the doors did come with it, but like a Jeep (what BMW wants to be compared to a Jeep?) they could be removed.

It got better with the last Z3, but still not what a company like BMW could and should be putting on their showroom floors........

Again with that unusually short back end, making this car seem more cartoon like than necessary. Enough room for golf balls, but leave the clubs at home. Hey, what is this world, without opinions?

Finally! Last week at the Pebble Beach Concours BMW unveiled the next Z model, the newst Z4..........

And as you can see, those intrepid BMW designers finally got the proportions of their small sportscar right. No objections from this writer to this new design. What will be even more interesting is seeing the other car using the Z4 architecture. Surprise, it is the upcoming Toyota Supra, which is based on this new Z4. The race car has been shown, but not the street ready version. If it is anything like this very good looking new Z4, then hurray for all involved.

The entire line of past Bimmer sportsters and at last the new Z, that can add itself proudly to this auspicious, but sometimes suspect looking, group. Sanity reigns once again.

Until next time........