In Brief
BMW has officially halted Z4 production at its Austrian plant, ending a line of roadsters that began in 2002. No direct successor or replacement project has been announced by the brand as European regulations tighten. The latest Z4 generation, the G29, shared its tech with the Toyota Supra, but did not see a full M version. BMW now keeps only one fabric-soft-top convertible in its lineup, the 4 Series.
Official confirmation came from a BMW spokesman. The last Z4 rolled off the line in early May. The Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, which has assembled the Bavarian roadster since 2018, is closing a chapter opened in 2002 with the very first generation.
BMW Z4: Production officially halted, no successor in sight
The Z4 G29, launched in 2018, followed two generations well known to BMW enthusiasts. The first generation (E85/E86) had taken the Z3’s place in 2003. It was subsequently replaced in 2009 by the E89 and its retractable hardtop.
The third generation marked a clear break: the car shared its platform and powertrains with the Toyota Supra, the result of a groundbreaking technical partnership between the two automakers.
Three engines were offered in the lineup, the top‑of‑the‑line M40i housing a 3.0‑liter inline-six producing 340 horsepower. No all‑wheel‑drive M version was developed for the G29, unlike the old Z4 M E86 which topped out at 343 horsepower. A manual transmission, long awaited by enthusiasts, only appeared late in the model’s lifecycle.
BMW’s numbers to our colleagues largely explain the business decision. The Z4 G29 peaked in 2019, with 15,827 units delivered worldwide… before its sales curve began to dip.
In 2025, only 9,744 units found buyers. The first quarter of 2026 paradoxically posted a 4.9% rebound, to 2,555 deliveries, apparently buoyed by the news of the end of production.
What’s next for the Z lineup?
With the Z4 withdrawal and the already-announced end of the 8 Series Convertible, BMW now only has one soft‑top convertible in its catalog. The 4 Series G23 is expected to carry on into roughly 2029.
Munich has not issued any official statement about the way forward. No replacement model project has been greenlit. And Europe’s regulatory environment, aiming to cut CO2 emissions by 90% by 2035 compared with 2021, does not lend itself to launching a niche petrol‑powered roadster.
Toyota, on the other hand, is already preparing a new Supra. A shared platform with BMW remains a possibility in the long term. But no one inside the company has spoken publicly yet.
For now, the Z4 joins the ranks of the Z1, Z3 and Z8, roadsters that helped write a chapter in BMW’s recent history. Will the badge someday rise again in electric form? Or has the brand definitively turned the page on two-seat convertibles? Stay tuned.
Comparison Table
| Model / Year | Engine / Power | Production / Sales figures |
|---|---|---|
| Z4 G29 M40i | Inline-6, 3.0L, 340 hp | – |
| Z4 M E86 | 343 hp | – |
| Z4 G29 (2019) | – | 15,827 units |
| Z4 G29 (2025) | – | 9,744 units |
| Z4 G29 (Q1 2026) | – | 2,555 units (+4.9%) |
The Essentials to Remember
- BMW officially ends Z4 production at Magna Steyr in Austria.
- The last unit rolled off the line in May, with no successor announced.
- The G29 generation, launched in 2018, shared its platform with the Toyota Supra.
- Sales have fallen from a 2019 peak of 15,827 units to 9,744 in 2025.
- No all‑wheel‑drive M variant was introduced for the G29, unlike the E86.
- The European regulatory environment complicates the launch of future gasoline roadsters.
- Only the 4 Series Convertible remains in BMW’s lineup through roughly 2029, with no confirmed plan for a new Z.
FAQ
Why is BMW stopping Z4 production?
The Z4’s production is officially ending due to declining sales and the absence of an announced successor. The European regulatory landscape also does not favor keeping this type of model alive.
Will the BMW Z4 have a replacement?
To date, BMW has not officialized any replacement model for the Z4. No successor has been greenlit at the automaker.
What engines did the latest Z4 offer?
The latest generation (G29) offered three engine options, including the M40i with a 3.0-liter inline‑six delivering 340 horsepower. A manual transmission arrived late in the lifecycle.
What was the best commercial year for the Z4 G29?
The Z4 G29 saw its best sales year in 2019, with 15,827 units delivered worldwide.
Will BMW offer other convertibles in the future?
After the Z4 and the 8 Series Convertible, only the 4 Series Convertible will be available through roughly 2029. No other convertibles have been confirmed for the future.
