The fact that we scarcely mention the Z4 indicates that the small roadster has seen better days in terms of appeal. According to recent sources, BMW is planning a small LCI for the convertible sports vehicle before discontinuing manufacture in 2025 without a direct successor. Two-door cars are becoming less popular, which is why insiders close to Bavaria predict the 4 Series and 8 Series Coupe and Convertible will be combined into a new 6 Series range.
But why have buyers stopped purchasing vehicles with just two doors and/or two seats? In an interview with the media at the 2022 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW’s director of design gave an explanation. According to Adrian van Hooydonk, this is because consumers currently desire a vehicle that can do everything:
“People nowadays want everything. They want it everything, therefore it evolved into an SUV with a sporting personality, and eventually into an SUV-coupe. It sounded unusual at first, but it’s now quite natural. People do not want to give up a specific way of life just because they need four doors.”
Van Hooydonk stated his fear that the move from a purpose-built fun car to a practical five-door bigger vehicle would not be reversible: “I hope that’s not a trend that will continue, but maybe things have changed for the better.” Perhaps individuals are no longer willing to make the kind of sacrifices that they were a few years ago.”
The SUV mania has influenced not just two-seaters, but also what were formerly classic body shapes. We’re largely talking about sedans and wagons, which have suffered a decline in popularity in recent decades. The fact that BMW has X1 through X7 models, with an XM on the way, demonstrates how important SUVs are to an automaker’s profitability.
In reality, the company’s Chinese business released a long wheelbase version of the X1 in 2016, while the larger X5 Li debuted earlier this year. Stretched automobiles used to be limited to sedans in China, but now even SUVs are receiving the LWB treatment.
Buyers are still spoilt for choice when it comes to getting behind the wheel of a BMW with just two doors or seats for the time being. The 2 Series Coupe was upgraded to the second generation less than a year ago, and the new M2 is poised to join the roster. Coupe and convertible variants of the 4 and 8 Series, as well as the Z4 roadster, are still available.
Having said that, the 2 Series Convertible is unlikely to return, given that its larger siblings aren’t exactly popular.
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