BMW Z4: First Look

By Feann Torr - 15/December/2008

Munich, Germany – The wind in your hair, the leather seats providing support, the twin turbos whistling away as you nail the throttle.

One of BMW's most iconic motors has returned, the Z4, bringing with a whole host of new technologies and a ripping new motor.

The Z4 began life more than ten years ago as the Z3 and has built a faithful following since.

Back in 1996 it was a soft-top 2-seater convertible purpose-built for the poseur that was powered by a range of inline engines. Fancy looks, fancy badge, fancy car really.

But now BMW has changed tack.

The cloth roof is no more, replaced by a metal item that folds up or down at the touch of a button.

Depending on your notion of what open air motoring should be like, you'll either love it or loathe it.

The idea is that the metal roof provides better security from both would-be thieves and inclement weather, and it takes 20 seconds to fold both ways, which is fairly quick for a tin top convertible.

A metal roof is much heavier than a cloth roof, so this weight gain could affect the way it drives, but with a range of high output engines it probably won't be too detrimental to overall performance.

The new 2010 model Z4's range-topping engine just happens to be one of BMW's best engines ever built. Period.

The 3.0-litre intercooled twin turbo 6-cylinder engine which we tested in the 335i Coupe will be offered on the new BMW Z4, making it one of the fastest and most sophisticated 2-seater convertibles in its class. 

Speaking of which, the BMW Z4's rivals include roadsters like the front-engined Audi TT and mid-engined Porsche Boxster.

BMW's twin turbo Z4 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 5.1 seconds when mated to the optional 7-speed double clutch auto gearbox, and reaches the same speed in 5.2 seconds using the standard 6-speed manual.

Top speed is now limited to 210km/h (130mph), though BMW does make mention of a Sports Package that raises the electronic speed limiter's ceiling to 241km/h (150mph).

With a rear-wheel drive setup and a new chassis which incorporates an electronically adjustable suspension system, the new Z4 is shaping up to be a much sharper, more decisive drive than previous iterations.

On top of the 3.0-litre bi-turbo engine, which will be called the Z4 sDrive35i, there will also be a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder power core in the range.

Model: BMW Z4 sDrive30i
Engine: 3.0-litre I6
Power: 190kW (255hp)
Torque: 300Nm

Model: BMW Z4 sDrive35i
Engine: 3.0-litre I6 Turbo
Power: 225kW (300hp)
Torque: 400Nm

While the naming convention for the new Z4 models is about as intuitive as a synchrotron, the new look is not as open to ridicule.

The front end features newly designed headlights that appear to have taken a leaf from the 6-Series book of style, and together with the stretched twin kidney grille, the multifaceted power lines on the bonnet and the short overhang, the look is fairly appealing.

At the rear, the Z4 also has a touch of the BMW 6-Series in the brake light design, which are less lights and more illuminated works of automotive art.

Overall the rump of the car is fairly sporty, and the German automaker has increased the size of the rear window making for better rearward vision.

BMW has crafted a modern and sporty-looking luxury drop top and the vehicle's classic roadster proportions - long bonnet, low stance, pushed back cockpit - give it a certain mystique that not all convertibles can lay claim to.

Though it's a larger car than its predecessor, the Z4 is still a fairly compact vehicle which bodes well for its dynamics, as does an almost equal 50:50 front to reardistribution of weight.

It's wider and lower than before, but most noticeably BMW's 2010 model Z4 is longer, by a whopping 14.7cm. This increase in length provides more boot space, enough to fit "four crates of large bottles" which is good if you get thirsty.

BMW also claims that the new Z4 can fit a pair of 46-inch golf bags into its boot with the roof closed and there's also a good-sized 10 litre glovebox.

One of the more intriguing additions to the Z4 range, and of particular interest to passionate drivers, is the Adaptive M Suspension system with EDC (electronic damping control).

Like the Audi TT's magnetic ride control, the system can change the compression and rebound settings of the front and rear shock absorbers, which means that drivers can set the suspension to soft when cruising in the city, and stiffen it up when attacking corners for improved handling response.

BMW reckons the new adaptive suspension response time is "...so fast that a signal coming from a front wheel crossing a hole in the road reaches and re-adjusts the rear dampers even before the rear wheels reach the same uneven road surface."

As well as adaptive suspension, the throttle response, power steering, and stability control can all be changed at the touch of a button located near the gear shifter. It has three modes: normal, sport and sport+.

BMW's new Z4 will also get a range of prestige comfort features, including an upgraded leather pack that slathers cow hide everywhere, even across the dashpad, and for the first time the Z4 gets a button-operated electronic park brake.

One of the oddest moves by BMW, apart from the confusing naming convention, is the standard fitment of 17-inch alloy wheels with runflat tyres on all models.

Simply put, these wheels look tiny on what is now a much longer car. When 18-inch alloys are standard on entry-level Commodores, you'd expect a $100,000 sports car to fancier footwear than this.

Though there will be options for 18- and 19-inch wheel packages, that BMW offers such puny wheels on what is supposed to be a dedicated sports car seems a little strange. Blame the global financial downturn if you like.

Within the undersized alloy rims will be "new" high performance, lightweight brakes and new interior features will make the grade as well.

BMW's new and allegedly improved iDrive system makes its first outing on the 2-seater roadster, and comes complete with an 8.8-inch, high res 1280x480 colour screen to ogle at, which can even be hooked up to the Internet allowing you go online while driving. 

The Sat Nav system has been improved and uses an 80Gb hard drive, plus there's an another 15Gb system to store music and video.

Stereo systems are important aspects of all convertibles, as you want the whole world to know your taste in music is as brilliant as your taste in cars. As such, BMW will offer a premium audio system that features 14 speakers and two subwoofers, with a total output of 650 watts.

Bluetooth and smart phone interfaces are also available as is a DVD player, and feel free to read the exhaustive BMW Z4 press release for the nitty gritty on the new roadster.

Due to be unveiled to the public for the first time at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2009, and arriving in Australia later in 2009, the new Z4 may have puny wheels but overall it looks like a much improved motor vehicle, both dynamically and visually.

Related Links:
- BMW Z4: Leaked (2010)
- BMW Concept X1 (2009)
- BMW Concept CS (Concept)
- BMW 3 Series (2009)
- BMW 335i Coupe (Road Test)
- BMW 7 Series (2008)
- BMW M3 Coupe (2008)
- BMW X6 (2008)
- BMW X1 (2010)
- BMW 130i M Sport (Road Test)
- BMW 120i (Road Test)
- BMW 6 Series Update (2007)
- BMW 120i (Road Test)
- BMW 3 Series Convertible (2007)
- BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid (2009)