Comprehensive Look at BMW Z Series History and Future

Explore the history, legacy and future of the BMW Z series, based on reports from BMW and major media. Learn what shaped these models and what lies ahead.

The history of BMW’s Z series is a rare example of how an experimental idea born inside a technical laboratory can evolve into a cult automotive line. Over more than three decades, the Z models have moved from a radical concept to a mass-market roadster and a flagship sports car, while maintaining a consistent focus on freedom, engineering curiosity, and bold design. And now, as the current Z4 prepares to leave the stage, interest in the series is as strong as ever.

The story begins with the BMW Z1 of the mid-1980s, developed within the small innovation unit BMW Technik. The car was never meant for mass production: engineers used it to test new materials, an unconventional suspension layout, and experimental solutions such as vertically sliding doors and removable composite body panels. Public interest, however, was so high that BMW ultimately produced around eight thousand units. Despite its limited numbers, the Z1 set the tone for everything that followed. The letter Z—taken from the German word Zukunft, or “future”—became a marker for BMW’s most daring two-seater projects.

In 1995, BMW introduced the next major step: the Z3, the brand’s first roadster aimed at the global market and especially the United States. Production was moved to the Spartanburg plant, and the model quickly entered pop culture, helped by its appearance in a James Bond film. Nearly 300,000 Z3s were produced in seven years, making it the most commercially successful Z model.

At the same time, the early 2000s brought the BMW Z8, a modern homage to the classic 507 and styled with the involvement of Henrik Fisker. The car represented the peak of BMW engineering of its era, with an aluminum body, a naturally aspirated V8, and meticulously crafted details. Unsurprisingly, the Z8 has since become one of the most valuable BMW models on the collector market.

Meanwhile, the BMW Z4 became the longest chapter in the Z story. The first generation adopted sharp, dramatic lines and a stiffer body. The second introduced a folding hardtop and a more refined touring character. The third and current generation, the G29, was developed alongside the Toyota Supra and built by Magna Steyr in Austria. According to multiple English- and German-language sources, its production will officially end in 2026.

The limited Z4 Final Edition, offered only for a short period and in a fixed configuration, confirms that the model’s lifecycle is nearing its end. Different publications cite different months—ranging from March to May 2026—but all agree that no direct successor is planned. Both BMW and the automotive press emphasize that there is no official information about any new Z model.

As for the future of the series, the picture is uncertain. BMW representatives acknowledge that the Neue Klasse platform is theoretically capable of supporting a sports roadster, but the company has announced no plans, prototypes, or timelines. Various media outlets publish “electric Z4” renderings, but these images are explicitly described as artistic concepts rather than real development projects.

The broader market context also plays a role. The share of traditional two-seat roadsters continues to shrink, while demand gradually shifts toward electrified sports cars and crossovers. Industry reports note growth in the sports-car segment overall, but it is the electric portion that expands most rapidly. Against this backdrop, classic combustion-engine roadsters have become a niche product: costly to develop and increasingly limited in volume.

Yet despite the uncertainty, the legacy of the Z series remains strong. The Z1 has become a collectible rarity. The Z3 and Z4 defined different eras of accessible BMW driving enjoyment. The Z8 stands among the brand’s most prized auction cars. The history of the Z line shows that some of BMW’s boldest experiments have also been its most enduring.

Will the Z series return? For now, it is an open question. But enthusiasm for BMW’s two-seat roadsters persists, and the past suggests that the story of the letter Z has never been predictable.