Like any product, a car has a life cycle: concept, introduction, growth, maturity… and eventually, an end. That end has now arrived for the BMW Z4. The Z-series began in 1995 with the Z3, which later evolved into the Z4. The current fifth-generation model has been in production since 2019 and was jointly developed with Toyota.

Weak sales, combined with the fact that the Z4 has been on the market for nearly seven years, are the key reasons BMW has decided to discontinue it. Although sales saw a small uptick in Q2, it wasn’t enough to justify continuing production. This is an example of planned obsolescence — meaning the production end date was decided right from the early concept stage.

BMW is likely shifting its strategic focus toward EVs and electrification—hybrids. The company has not confirmed any plans for future Z4 models. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if a next-generation Z4 EV, built on the Neue Klasse design platform, is already being considered behind the scenes.

Anyway, enough of my pointless banter about the Z4. BMW will be releasing a final version, aptly named… the Final Edition.

The limited-run Z4 Final Edition will go into production from February to April 2026 before production ends. Finished exclusively in Individual Frozen Black with full Shadowline blackout trim and a Moonlight Black soft top, the car gets a sinister, monochrome look contrasted by red M Sport brake calipers.

Inside, it features black Vernasca leather/Alcantara seats with extensive red contrast stitching, M-striped seatbelts, and upgraded tech including the Driving Assistance Package, Premium Package, and Harman Kardon audio.

Mechanically, it mirrors the standard Z4 M40i, powered by a 382-hp inline-six. The manual version brings unique “Handschalter” chassis tuning (special springs, anti-roll bar clamp, retuned steering, revised traction logic), while the automatic is quicker 0–60 (3.9s vs 4.2s).

Pricing starts at $78,675 in the U.S., only slightly above a fully optioned standard M40i.