BMW is obviously intimidated by the new Porsche Boxster and is taking extreme measures to protect its own two-seater sports car, the Z4. Reports from inside BMW HQ suggest the next generation of the car will be nimbler, sportier, and less American than the current Z4. There will be remarkable changes in the styling as well.

The new model – due in 2015 – aims to be more of a driver’s car, so it’ll be designed mainly around the four-cylinder N20 turbo engines, which have a compact size. That means BMW designers can cut a few inches from that long bonnet, making the whole car more compact and agile.

But they’re in a pickle here. That long bonnet is kind of the Z4’s party piece. Half of the car’s popularity in America is due to that bonnet alone. So BMW has ordered its designers to be careful with the cropping, not to alienate current fans. They’ve also been ordered to create a timeless design. BMW has a new policy that says each new model must look good for at least 15 years. They realized older models still have an impact on the brand’s image.

So, will BMW go ahead and change the name of the car as well, killing it altogether like they did with the Z3?

via: InsideLine