...<font color="003366"> coupe late next month, I'm cycling through a few of the future model's identified market competitors. First one up was...
<img src="http://www.shareyourpix.com/inc/i_importimage.aspx?u=356&a=580&i=9027&w=600&h=433" >
<img src="http://www.shareyourpix.com/inc/i_importimage.aspx?u=356&a=580&i=9029&w=600&h=303" >
... the BMW Z4 M coupe. While I'll be one of the first to say that design is a highly subjective matter, I like the way this car looks in the tin and on the street. I also love the way it drives. I'm kinda sorry I got this one before the "cooking" Z4 coupe. With the E46 M3 engine, serious chassis set up and some great binders, this is an astonishingly responsive car. You ask it to acclerate, brake, turn and it does so <u>immediately</u>. I suspect by comparison the 3.0i Z4 coupe will feel like it's on thorazine.
<img src="http://www.shareyourpix.com/inc/i_importimage.aspx?u=356&a=580&i=9028&w=600&h=303" >
There's some really cool stuff going on with the rear lights. The taillamps are only the ribbed section at the top of the clusters and they look like they use light-pipe technology. The outer clear sections are the amber turn indicators and the backup lights are the small clear slits in the center of each assembly. With the small horizontal strips, the car looks almost sinister at night.
<img src="http://www.shareyourpix.com/inc/i_importimage.aspx?u=356&a=580&i=9030&w=600&h=490" >
I really hope at leats one of the two high performance variants of the second generation TT has the same immediate feel that this car exhibits. But I think that may be asking too much from the Golf V component set regardless of what the primary vehicle structure is made of. The BMW goes back to the pool tomorrow and I'll be back in my TT again.</font>

 

something else to drool over.

 

as you said. Hint hint. So that 302HP DIN version , I'll speculate . . . the 3.6 V6 ? When I got my '01 TT, the other finalist was the previous M Coupe - what a great car. I also dig the shape of this new coupe version. Sounds like it's big fun.

 

something about the new body style screams Datsun 280z to me. That being said, I was always a fan of that car, so I like the new Z4 look too.

 

Nothing else drives like a Bimmer. Owned an E30 and loved it. I still miss that one...

 

damn, the new TT is already a swing-and-a-miss

 

great styling and from what I've read - and what you've said - it walks the walk, so to speak...

 

since the Golf GTI MKV is such a great car.

Too bad the new TT MkII is coming out shy compared to it's competitors.

 

I really like the lines of that Z4, Jim. Need to see it and new TT in person.

 

sure is real purtty Jim.......... ;-)