2009 BMW Z4
BMW has made some outstanding sports cars in the past decades, from the victorious 328 in the classic line of Mille Miglia to the 400 hp Z8. However, the Z3 and the first Z4m, introduced in 2003, have won over a broader audience.
This spring, the Bavarian manufacturer replaces the Z4 Roadster with a car that may have the same name, but is clearly more ambitious. The new Z4 is larger and more spacious than its predecessor, but what really stands out is it its retractable roof in replacement of the soft top.
With a stronger engine and a sharp chassis, this new Z4 has what it takes to challenge the Porsche Boxster, its other rival, performance and road holding wise.
Two flavours
As of May 9, two versions will be offered, each one defined mainly by its engine. The new Z4 sDrive30i and Z4 sDrive35i are both powered by a standard 3.0 L six cylinder, the first one atmospheric and the second overfed by two turboprops. These are engine variations already used on some other BMW series.
The sDrive30i group releases up 255 hp at 6 600 rmp and its maximum torque is 220 lb-ft at 2600 rpm. The manufacturer ensures 5.9 seconds for the 0-100 km sprint with the standard 6 speeds and 6.3 seconds with the conventional automatic transmission, which also counts six speeds.
The power of the sDrive35i’ biturbo "standard-six" reaches 300 hp at 5800 rpm and its 300 lb-ft torque is accessible between 1400 and 5000 rpm. BMW ensures this new sports car can reach 100km/h in 5.3 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and that it will take a tenth of a second less (5.2 s) with the optional sequential box equipped with automated double clutch and 7 speeds.
Shape and function
Something worth mentioning about the new Z4 is that it was entirely designed by women. Juliane Blasi and Manya Arkaout, both German, have won an internal competition between the manufacturer’s designers and have been respectively given the mission of drawing up the shape and interior of the vehicle.
The new Z4 is very similar to the previous model with its sculpted sides, and is a bit concave. When the rigid roof is in place, it looks like a coupé or a classic Grand Touring, with an endless hood and an almost truncated tail. The narrower struts of the roof, the four lateral mirrors and the glass rear windows greatly improve the visibility.
The nose of the new model is sharper and the typical BMW nostrils even more obvious now, but the rear part is the one that clearly underwent the most changes. The trunk lid is higher, rounder, and reminds immediately of the 6 Series Convertible. The Z4 has grown in length, by nearly 15 cm. Thais allows accommodating the retractable roof while maintaining a very suitable cargo volume that goes from 180 to 310 litres.
A fantastic idea was applied: a passage between the trunk and the cabin allows the transportation of two pairs of 1.70m skis or snowboard, in a waterproof bag, or a standard golf bag for Tiger fans. It’s a first in this category.
More accommodating than ever
Although the wheel base of the new Z4 is only 1mm longer than before, the cab more spacious, especially on the shoulders that gained 20 mm. The door openings are also bigger by 26 mm. The engineers have however created a 25% more rigid body, torsion wise, which benefits to the security, behaviour on the road and good functioning of the retractable roof.
The two aluminum roof panels bend into the trunk or come out of it in 20 seconds. No doubt it’s the most silent roof on the market up to this day. It is activated by pushing on a button or using the locking remote control, with the optional Comfort Access system. With this option, it’s also possible to put in large luggage in the trunk when the roof is bent by lifting the trunk lid and roof towards the rear.
The driving position is very acceptable and the optional sports seats offer a good lateral support for the back with the adjustable headrests, but the cushions could be more sculpted in order to get the same results in extreme driving situations.
The new dashboard’s design, more flowing, is very much appreciated. The driver gets two classic dials visible at the front only, between the impeccable sports steering wheel branches, equipped with a leather-sheathed rim, fine and smooth. The four air-conditioning regulation circles look a bit flashy and minimalist at first, but it’s easy to get used to it.
The Z4 is also equipped with the most recent version of the incredible iDrive control interface, profusely and justifiably criticized since its creation. It pertains to an optional group comprised of a navigation system connected to a 80 GB hard disk, of which 15 are for music files.
The iDrive works very well, thanks to the seven keys that surround it, that act as shortcuts towards the main menus and functionalities, and to the superb 9 inch (22 cm) screen, located at the top and center of the dashboard. Very sharp and precise, this screen remains visible and readable even when the roof is down, in full sun, with sunglasses.
The cars that were driven at the Spanish launch were of an impeccable quality in the making and finish. They were all sDrive 35i endowed with nearly all the options possible. All leathershad received a special treatment in order to reflect the sun and reduce heat accumulation of up to 20 degrees.
Options Game
All the Z4s are equipped with the DDC system (Driving Dynamics Control) that gives the possibility to choose between three driving programs, with a simple push on a button. The DSC System (Dynamic Stability Control), also standard, is an antiskid that offers different intervention threshold defined by the DDC , but that also modulates the rear brakes to produce a virtual interlocking differential.
An optional Sports Package is comprised of performance tires on 19 inch alloy wheels and an "adaptative" M suspension of which the ZF dampers with compression and expansion set point can change instantly. The Z4 is also the first in its category to be equipped with an electric parking break.
In addition, with the power and performance gains that allow the sDrive 35i’s biturbo engine, Friedbert Holz, in charge of communications for the 3 Series Z4 for BMW AG, declared that there won’t be any "M" version of the new one to replace the first generation Z4 M models
The only available model at the world press launch was the sDrive35i equipped with virtually all existing options. Its 7-speed sequential box and double automated clutch is very efficient, but it sometimes passes on to the next speed or retrograde one or two when driven with energy, in road bends. I drove briefly an sDrive 35i with the manual box and found it very convincing, with its fast lever, strong and precise.
The Z4 is very silent when the roof is in place. As soon as it disappears in the trunk, you find yourself hearing the irresistible roaring of the engine. The trick resides in a different muffler than those found on the 335i, 135i and similar models. When driving with the 4 lateral windows up and the optional windbreak installed between two security bows behind the seats, there is just enough wind to twirl the hair up a bit and make you enjoy a very nice ride.
Multiple personalities
Each program of the standard DDC system maximizes the settings of components such as the power system, the antiskid, the electromechanical direction and the dampers with variable loading from the Sports System. In Normal Mode, the Z4 offers similar sensations as in a classic roadster, a steering system on the slow side and a bit heavy on the front end. Things get tighter once in Sport mode, luckily, but the antiskid’s signal lamp flashes at the merest request coming from the right foot.
However, the sDrivei 35 is the most enjoyed in Sports Mode + DDC. The ratios are clearer, the steering system is tighter and the DSC allows 10 degrees of skidding. Yet, even with the anti skids fully deactivated, the Z4 remains perfectly stable. When coming out from a wide turn, we only have to deal with an easy overturn.
However I jumped the first time I drove a Z4 on a simple manhole. Even in Normal Mode, the suspension and 19 in Bridgestone runflat tires react dryly. A good idea would be to drive models equipped with 17 inch wheels.
With its power gain and road holding, the Z4 can now measure up to its rival, the Porsche Boxster, on a twisting road. And with the quality of its assembling and a wonderful retractable roof, this Bavarian is eagerly stamping the ground in front of the Mercedes-Benz SLK in terms of comfort and refinement.
The new Z4 is a mutant that brings together the best out of roadsters and coupés and that reaches the next level of success in this ultra competitive battle.
Summary:
Strong Points
Weak Points
- - Fantastic turbo engine
- - very secure road standing
- - brilliant retractable roof
- - two distinct personalities
- - Stiff ride (19 in wheels)
- - medium storage
- - some minimalist controls
Editors Rating:
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