BMW cleverly controls the news cycle surrounding its new models. It used to be that new models were snapped by guys hiding in trees with long zoom lenses, the German firm is now dishing up is own, high-resolution images and video of new models, such as the BMW Z4 M40i undergoing testing.

More and more
A few days ago these official images were released of the new BMW X5 undergoing final testing ahead of its debut later this year.

In fact, to curtail speculation there are images and detailed technical specs released as well, such as in the case of the upcoming BMW M850i xDrive model.

A day ago these images were released of the all-new BMW Z4 undergoing dynamic testing at the company’s Autodrome de Miramas facility in France.

Seeing is believing
As is evident in the pics, the new Z4 maintains similar proportions to its predecessors: a long bonnet, short overhangs, with a low slung body and, unlike many rivals, it maintains its soft top folding roof.

BMW is busy honing the dynamics and driving experience offered by the new BMW Z4. For the foreseeable future the range will be led by the BMW Z4 M40i.

BMW says that a new, extremely powerful inline six-cylinder engine, a lowered sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, a newly developed front axle, M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres, an M sports brake system and an electronically controlled lock in the rear axle differential create an overall package that sees the BMW M Performance model setting a whole new benchmark for driving pleasure in the roadster segment.

“The vehicle concept of the new BMW Z4 is geared consistently towards agility and driving dynamics,” explains Jos van As, head of application suspension. “The high level of body stiffness and the very rigid suspension attachment provide the perfect basis for a set-up that guarantees the performance qualities of a genuine sports car in terms of steering precision as well as longitudinal and transverse acceleration.”

A sporting twin
It’s no secret that the new Z4 has a twin in the shape of the upcoming (A90) Toyota Supra. BMW and Toyota entered into an agreement to co-develop the bits under the skin to help keep costs down. The two cars will, in all likelihood, also share their inline-six, turbocharged engines.

Although it seems to be undergoing a particularly long gestation period, we most recently saw a racing concept version of the new Supra at the Geneva Motor Show (image above).