BMW Z4: A gamble on Bangle?

The wheels of change are spinning for the Bavarians, and there's a chance some traditionalists will be unhappy by the marque's new 'image'.

The new Z4 is just one take on the new BMW style, spearheaded by Chris Bangle, head of design at BMW.

Already one of most chastised vehicle sculptors to ever lift a stylus, Bangle could well be in for a rough ride if specific vehicles - namely the new 3 and 5-series - don't go down well with the masses.

These vehicles are, after all, BMW's big sellers, commanding the kind of sales and respect in Germany that Holden could only dream of.

Back to Bangle, and his first work as the new chief of design for Beemer was the 7-series, and while it is a seriously impressive four-wheeler, it's looks haven't won it too many friends.

The Z4, which will see the light of day in Europe mid-year and like to reach Australia around September 2003, is the second BMW to get the Bangle once-over.

Unlike the rather disproportionate 7-series, however, it appears as though the Bangle factor hasn't hurt the new Z4 too much, and together with a boost in specification, the two seater could be a sleeper hit for BMW.

Being a roadster is no big deal - even Daihatsu's got one now - but being an accomplished, well-behaved and attractive roadster is something else.

When most people first see the new Z4, it takes a while for the eye-candy to sink in. "Better than a 7-series," is usually the first remark.

To be honest, we quite like the new look, and though it has a couple of dubious design cues, on the whole it's quite pleasing to the eye.

A modern take on classic roadster features, the Z4 looks good in photos, but striking in the flesh.

A long and sweeping bonnet, with no power buldges or ridges to speak of, lends the car a sporting look, as does the long wheelbase, short overhangs and low, set back seating position.

According to BMW types, the new design is: "...characterized by the intriguing interplay of convex and concave surfaces, hard edges and curves.

"This interplay of surfaces creates new transitions of light and shadow from every angle, giving the Z4 an eye-catching visual character."

Couldn't have said it better ourselves...

Moving along, and the head lights are a little hard to swallow, as is the new take on the kidney-bean grille, but the car does have solid proportions, and this minor details can be overlooked. Perhaps in time they'll even be admired?

The rear-end is more pleasing, though much to chagrin of Bavarian's everywhere -- it doesn't immediately scream BMW.

It almost has a slight Honda S2000 look to it, particularly in the way the central area of the bootlid rises up, housing a line of stop-lamp LEDs.

While the appearance of the new Beemer may not be to everyone's liking, enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the Z4 is a huge improvement over the Z3 in terms of driving dynamics.

An evolution of the tepid and floppy Z3, the new BMW ditches the four-cylinder engines in search of a more serious attitude and, together with a stiffer chassis and revised suspension, it looks to have found it.

Two six-cylinder inline engines will initially be available, and while BMW is pretty cagey with upcoming models, there could be room for an M-tuned version if the demand is there.

BMW has mentioned that a hard-topped coupe version of the Z4 will ship as 2004 model, so we can expect the go-fast models to be called the M Roadster and M Coupe respectively.

Whether they ship with the M3's 3.2-litre straight six or something bigger - perhaps the 4.4-litre V8 - still remains a question, but the 252kW M3 mill is the most likely candidate.

Anyway, at present the 2.5 and 3.0-litre mills already being used in other BMWs make the cut, the former shipping with a five speed manual, while the latter gets an extra cog.

It's no surprise that the 3.0-litre Z4, what with its extra 500cc and gear ratio, completes the 0-100km/h dash more than a second quicker than it's smaller brother.

It takes the 2979cc Z4 just 5.9-seconds to reach 100km/h from rest, which places it with good company - namely the Porsche Boxster and Nissan 350Z.

The smaller 2.5-litre six makes 141kW @ 6000rpm and 245Nm of torque @ 3500rpm. Both engines makes use of BMW's spiffy double-VANOS technology, a system that adjusts intake and outlet camshafts dependent on engine speed and throttle position.

The end result is a more efficient engine offering increased torque at varying engine speeds.

The 3.0-litre straight six would be the pick of the two however, with a more respectable 170kW of power @ 5900rpm and 300Nm @ 3500rpm.

While a five-speed "StepTronic" transmission can be specified with either model, serious drivers who don't want a clutch will wait for the SMG gearbox, which will be coming in early 2004.

But good straight-line speed doesn't always sell cars, nor does it make an average car shine. Thankfully, the Z4 promises much in the ride and handling department, with early reports from across the pond suggesting it eats up corners with aplomb.

The chassis has been strengthened substantially - it's some 2.5 times stiffer than the Z3's and BMW also promises no scuttle-shake. It's a bigger car than the Z3 too, one of the features BMW hopes will hook more customers.

The Z4 is wider than its precursor, and claims to have a much-sought after 50:50 (front:rear) weight distribution, which would give it a nicely predictable feel through corners.

The suspension is a modified version of the highly acclaimed suspension from the 3-series, which is very good news.

The Z4 is the first BMW to make use of electric power steering, while ABS, stability control and disc brakes at all four corners round out the road-based safety features.

The 2.5i sits on 16-inch wheels, while the 3.0i gets much sportier 17-inchers.

If you opt for the Sport Package, wheels are upgraded by one inch - 17 on the 2.5i and 18 on the 3.0i - and an extra button is added to the dash.

This driving dynamics button, when activated, is said to increase throttle response and reduce the power steering's effect.

Standard features on both models include run-flat tires, lether steering wheel, bucket seats, trapezoidal roll bars and heated glass rear window.

Options include things such as the Sports Package, a retractable DVD-based navigation system and a premium stereo guaranteed to please.

Inside, the Z4 is a very different proposition from almost all roadsters on the market today.

Minimalism is the key word here and the BMW craftsmen have done a brilliant job of making sure all the essentials are there, yet witout cluttering the place up.

With lashings of polished aluminium and the typical BMW attention to detail, the Audi TT may well loose its "coolest interior" title by years end.

The roof can be optioned with a power operated mechanism, which BMW claims needs no latching and completes the job in 10 seconds.

A larger body also means a larger boot, and the Z4 can fit two golf bags. Allegedly. Some early reports have questioned the skimpy sports seats, whose lack of lateral support doesn't exactly make sense, considering the cars ability.

At the end of the day, however, the new Z4 could well be the Bangle-meister's saving grace. While the Z4's look will probably be more acceptable in a few years time, it's the cars German engineering that will ultimately decide its fate.

The market is currently saturated with performance-oriented sportscars - coupes and roadsters - and very few of them are what you'd class as dummy purchases. Can the rear-wheel drive Z4 muscle in?

The new rag top BMW doesn't feature in a James Bond movie, nor does it have the advantage of a 'quirky' engine, a la the RX-8. But it does have the sporting intentions that were sorely lacking on the Z3 and a visual style quite unlike anything else on the road today.