- The US-spec version of the Z4 M40i could survive until May of next year.
- Surprisingly, demand for the roadster has actually increased through Q1 this year.
- Magna Steyr is manufacturing the Z4 alongside the Toyota Supra in Austria.
In 10 years’ time, driver-focused sports cars with an ICE may be non-existent and replaced entirely by EVs, or at the very least, PHEVs or hybrids. So, it’s important that we savor the combustion-powered sports cars we still have, and if a new report is accurate, one of them could live a little longer than expected.
BMW itself has remained tight-lipped about how much longer the current Z4 will be around, but not too long ago, it was expected to bow out this October. However, it’s now reported that the powers that be at Munich have decided to extend production until May 2026 – but likely in a single version that’s bound for the United States.
Read: Toyota GR Supra And BMW Z4 To Ride Off Into The Sunset In 2026
The source over at Bimmer Post points to the US-spec M40i as the only Z4 model set to survive until May next year, noting that this marks a two-month extension over the original plan. It doesn’t offer a specific reason, but strong demand seems to be driving the decision. As reported by Motor1, interest in the manual-only model is especially high in the US, where Z4 sales jumped 89.8% last year to 2,129 units. That momentum has carried into 2025, with first-quarter sales up another 29% to 503 units.
It’s also possible the Z4 could survive a little longer in the US than in other markets like Europe thanks to America’s less stringent emission control regulations.
The World Needs More Sports Cars
Interestingly, the same source says that US-market Toyota Supras will also benefit from this production extension, with builds continuing until May 2026. The end of the Supra has been coming for quite some time, and a couple of months ago, Toyota announced special final edition versions for both Europe and the United States. The Toyota is built alongside the Z4 at Magna Steyr’s production facility in Austria.
Carscoops reached out to both BMW and Toyota to clarify the report and confirm whether the Z4 and Supra will in fact stick around until mid-next year. BMW responded with the usual standard line, stating they don’t comment on rumors or speculation. We’ll update the story once we hear back from Toyota as well.
When May next year arrives, it will mark the end of the Z4, as there is no successor in the works. In contrast, Toyota has confirmed that a next-generation Supra is forthcoming, although it remains to be seen what kind of powertrain it will feature.
