New Z4

[jjs 60]

The latest in BMW's long and successful roadster family has been revealed. The all-new BMW Z4 will go on sale in the UK in May 2009 and features a host of innovations never before showcased during BMW's 75 years of roadster heritage.

The BMW Z4 is the first to come with a two-piece, electro-hydraulically operated Retractable Hard-Top roof that can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds. The new roadster is also the first vehicle to be offered with Adaptive M Suspension. Electronically controlled dampers offer three different configurations and lower the ride height by up to 10mm for a more dynamic drive. By way of comparison, the Sport+ setting of the new car is comparable to the outgoing Z4's standard ride comfort level.

The standard Drive Dynamic Control function is another first and allows the driver to alter, depending on model specification, the throttle and steering response, level of ride comfort, Dynamic Stability Control response and, on automatic or Double Clutch Transmission cars, gear change times.

Powering the new BMW Z4 is a choice of three six-cylinder powerplants. The range flagship is the current International Engine of the Year-winning 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine. Producing 306hp at 5,800rpm, the BMW Z4 sDrive35i powers its way from zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds (5.1 seconds for a Double Clutch Transmission-equipped car) and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. The twin-turbocharged 2,979cc engine with high-precision direct injection technology produces 400Nm of torque from just 1,300rpm for effortless in-gear acceleration. The strong performance credentials are matched in terms of economy and emissions. The Z4 sDrive35i records a combined consumption figure of 30.1mpg (31.4mpg) and CO2 emissions of 219g/km (210g/km).

Joining this model in the launch line-up are the Z4 sDrive23i and the Z4 sDrive30i. Both use the same magnesium aluminium alloy engine with Double VANOS and VALVETRONIC technology, but with varying capacities. The 2,497cc entry-level Z4 sDrive23i produces 204hp at 6,400rpm and 250Nm of torque from 2,750rpm. This equates to a zero to 62mph time of 6.6 seconds (7.3 seconds for the Sport Automatic) and a top speed of 151mph (149mph). In contrast the Z4 sDrive23i is capable of 33.2mpg (34.4mpg) on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 199g/km (192g/km) respectively.

All three six-cylinder powerplants surpass the latest strict EU5 emissions standards.

The BMW Z4 sDrive30i comes with a 2,996cc powerplant offering 258hp at 6,600rpm and 310Nm of torque from 2,600rpm. The six-cylinder engine records a zero to 62mph time of 5.8 seconds (6.1 seconds for the Sports Automatic) and an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Like the Z4 sDrive23i, the Z4 sDrive30i posts impressive combined consumption and CO2 emissions figures, recording 33.2mpg (34.0mpg) and 199g/km (195g/km). Transmitting the power to the road in all three Z4s is a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. Customers of the Z4 sDrive23i and the Z4 sDrive30i who prefer the characteristics of an automatic can specify a six-speed Sport Automatic transmission featuring gear change paddles on the steering wheel. Buyers of the Z4 sDrive35i can choose the more advanced seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission, again with gear shift paddles located on the steering wheel.

EfficientDynamics

All of the latest BMW Z4s come as standard with facets of BMW's award-winning EfficientDynamics programme. Technologies that improve engine performance while enhancing economy and cutting emissions include Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering with Servotronic, Reduced Rolling Resistance Tyres, on-demand control of the engine's ancillaries and Optimum Shift Indicator on manual transmission cars. The BMW Z4 also adheres to a philosophy of lightweight construction with the front suspension and subframe being largely made from aluminium.

Enhanced packaging

The new BMW Z4 is larger than its predecessor measuring 148mm longer at 4,239mm and 9mm wider at 1,790mm, and this results in greater interior space and luggage capacity. With the roof up, headroom has been increased by 44mm while the greater car width and design enhancements have led to 20mm more shoulder room and 43mm more elbow room.

For the first time on a BMW Z4 there is a bespoke storage facility located behind the driver and passenger seats. This approximate 15.5-litre single compartment stretches the width of the car's interior and features netting to hold the contents in place. It can be complemented by an optional Storage Package that adds further stowage capacity. BMW's latest generation of iDrive makes its first appearance on a Z4. The BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system features a hard disc drive capable of 12Gb of audio file storage and BMW ConnectedDrive functionality. The system also comes with eight programmable Favourite buttons as system shortcuts.

The unique roof construction of the BMW Z4 creates a boot that varies in capacity from 180 to 310 litres - large enough to stow a full set of golf clubs. For the first time on a BMW Z4 customers can specify a through-loading system for additional storage capability. A hatch between the two seats permits a second full set of golf clubs to be carried.

Driver visibility in the BMW Z4 has also been improved. All round visibility is up by 14 per cent while, courtesy of the four electric windows creating a larger glasshouse, side visibility is up 40 per cent. The Retractable Hard-Top roof features a glass rear window and this too improves visibility by 52 per cent.

Technical specifications

BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Power: 204 hp

Torque: 250 Nm

0-100 km/h: 6.6 s

Top Speed: 243 km/h

Fuel Consumption: 33.2 mpg

CO2 Emissions: 199 g/km

Price: 35,900 EUR

BMW Z4 sDrive30i

Power: 258 hp

Torque: 310 Nm

0-100 km/h: 5.8 s

Top Speed: 250 km/h

Fuel Consumption: 33.2 mpg

CO2 Emissions: 199 g/km

Price: 42,900 EUR

BMW Z4 sDrive35i

Power: 306 hp

Torque: 400 Nm

0-100 km/h: 5.2 s

Top Speed: 250 km/h

Fuel Consumption: 30.1 mpg

CO2 Emissions: 210 g/km

[greenday-rulz21 4]

I have to admit I Love It! I was a huggeeee fan of the first one when it came out and I can say I'm a huge fan of this one as well.

Love the interior.

[1rotty 40]

Always been a fan.This is super cool esp with the top up.

[byza213 1]

looks kinda like a small m6 a litlle .. i like

[aliluya 0]

I like it!

[3series 0]

not a fan - not as good looking as the other Z4. The lines look pretty bad, especially the nose.

[bravo 34]

I think I'm going to like it in time. Lines are not as taut as the outgoing model, but it looks hot with the roof up, and that interior is the best I've seen in a BMW for a long, long, long time.

Hate the new naming convention - sDrive35i - how gay.

[Apex 693]

I like it, I wouldn’t have one for myself but can see it would be attractive to women and guys that are like women.

The standard Drive Dynamic Control function is another first and allows the driver to alter, depending on model specification, the throttle and steering response, level of ride comfort, Dynamic Stability Control response and, on automatic or Double Clutch Transmission cars, gear change times.

My 06 Opel Astra SRI-T had a Sport button that sharpened steering and throttle response, hardened the dampers and raised the stability control threshold..I had a Manual so the shift times were controlled by me. Makes me laugh when big manufacturers claim they have done something first when they clearly haven’t. FAIL BMW.

[bravo 34]

Maybe I read it wrong, but I thought they meant for the first time in the z4 range as other BMW models (and almost every other high-end automobile manufacturer) has their own version of this and has had for ages.

[Guest Simon*]

I don't mind it. It perhaps doesn't look as muscular as the outgoing one but I still think it's ok. Perhaps a bodykit would fix this?

For what is essentially a small lightweight roadster I'm quite disappointed that you only get the choice of auto or auto. A 6 speed manual box would have increased the fun factor and kept the hairdressers away (no offence to any hairdressers )

[Apex 693]

They will have the 3.0l in Manual though... and maybe a M.

On an unrelated note, I read that all next gen M cars will be Turbo, the new M-X6 will have a 500BHP version of the 4.4TT! Mercedes will to be going Turbo with ALL their cars over the next couple of years.

[kingkarl 136]

I've never been a fan of that colour. It looks good on big luxury cruisers, but not sports cars. The Z4 would look bad ass in Black with some nice rims. The shape is much better than the last one and yeah, that interior is so nice.

For the money though, I think I'd rather have a 335i. Its a better looking, more practical car.

So I'm undecided.

[Guest Simon*]

Mind you, if I had to have a convertible BMW I'd go for this one

E92 M3 FTW

[Apex 693]

Thought this might be more you Simon

[Guest Simon*]

Haha it's love!!!!

Am still pretty hot for that ACS3 Cab though

[OLLIE 26]

I like it. not as muscular as the old one but i still like it

[my_e36 43]

It's like all 1,3,5,6,7-series crammed together, shrink it and chop the roof.

[ThreeOneEight 0]

It's getting too big- I keep saying, BMW already has plenty of spacious cabriolets- keep one lithe and sporty.

[hotwire 352]

Yep, have to say I like it - personally more than the last model

[bradc 0]

The new s/i/x drive thing is getting annoying, what is wrong with Z4 3.0?

[Greg111 13]

I think it's a bloody good looking vehicle! Very nice.

[QuickSilver 0]

I like it, if I am not mistaken I saw one of these earlier this month at BMW world, its a damn fine piece of machinery. Looks great too!