The economic downturn and a lack of customer interest has forced BMW to cancel plans for the Z4 M.

If we consider that BMW is still pushing ahead with plans for the X5 M and X6 M, not to mention the 5-Series GT, we’re wondering if a lack of customer interest - or even an over-abundance of other money-sapping performance models - may be the biggest problem at hand.

A BMW spokesperson gave little away:

“Given the current economic crisis there is no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4.”

Considering the global economy is being sucked down the toilet, you’d think there’d be no business case for the X5 M or X6 M either. Funny that.

To make it up to us, BMW is planning an M Sport package for the Z4. This will include stiffer suspension, a sportybody kit and larger wheels, with the 3.0 litre twin turbo six remaining unchanged.

Another day, another axed performance car.  Hopefully when the dust settles on all of this economic crisis hoo-ha there will still be a few cars around worth driving.

For now though, we’ll just keep counting the casualties and hoping for the best.

GALLERY » 2010-bmw-z4_official