This is our best look yet at the interior of BMW's next Z4.
Although it's still partially shrouded by a dash cover, some
evolutionary design changes are still very apparent. A new steering
wheel retains the spirit of the current Z4, but it has been redesigned
to make room for more wheel-controlled buttons. The outer HVAC vent
has also been repositioned to border the new Z4's instrument binnacle,
while the headlight switch moves wider and lower on the dash face.
Taking a closer look at the center console reveals a curious
omission: there is no sign of an emergency brake lever. The current
Z4 has an e-brake that reaches just aft of the shift lever, gobbling
up important elbow room in a very snug interior. The center console
on the new Z4 is definitely significantly cleaner, with room for a
proper arm rest and a couple of little cubby holes for oddments.
There is clearly no room for an e-brake handle between the seats and
the transmission tunnel, so BMW's solution is an open question. We
suspect that BMW may have be employing some sort of electronic e-brake
solution in the guise of the small silver device resting flat behind
the shift lever. The new design frees up important interior space for
a comfortable passenger living space. But is it really living if you
can't yank the handle for a proper e-brake turn?
