No diesel for current BMW Z4

• Was expected as Audi TT 2.0 TDI rival
• Engine from 320d was earmarked…
• …but project is unlikely to happen

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The prospect of a super-frugal BMW Z4 looks increasingly doubtful after BMW admitted it's unlikely to offer a diesel version of the current-generation roadster.

Project leader Ingo Lasslop told What Car?: 'I can't see it – especially after the launch of the new [petrol] sDrive18i model.'

BMW had been expected to offer a rival to the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TDI and Mercedes SLK 250 CDI, with the 181bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine from the 320d a likely power source.

However, it's believed that fitting BMW's current-generation four-cylinder diesel engine in the Z4 might not be as straightforward as originally thought.

Furthermore, the Z4 already weighs around 150kg more than an equivalent Audi TT Roadster, and a diesel engine would add around a further 30kg.

Read the full BMW Z4 review >>