BMW will display Z9 concept in Shanghai

At the Shanghai auto show on April 20, BMW will give a preview of a possible range-topping sports car, with a new concept-car.The production model will be called the Z9 and be positioned against the Mercedes-Benz SL class and Audi R8.

A BMW source stated that the company hopes to sell up to 15,000 Z9’s per year, a significant leap over the 5,703 annual units of its Z8 roadster.

According to the source, The new Z9 will feature a front-engine RWD configuration with an optional folding hard-top and will be a strict two-seater.

The base model is expected to feature the twin-turbo straight six, but it’s still unclear whether the range-topper will get the 5.0L V10 from the M5/M6 line or a new 6.3L V12.