- Return of the classic roadster
- The new model is the successor to both the BMW Z4 Roadster and the BMW Z4 Coupé
- Folding hard top roof for the first time
- Featuring new BMW iDrive
- Arriving in New Zealand dealerships end of June, 2009
BMW says the new Z4 is the only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions with a seating position moved close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive and an automatically retractable hardtop.
The new BMW Z4 has an unmistakable look, with the extra-long front lid, large wheel arches, long wheelbase and small overhangs. Its large BMW kidney grille, intake gills on the side, black A-pillars and contoured roof and rear lights give it a sleek, sporty appeal.
The BMW Z4 is slightly larger than its predecessor, at 4239 millimetres long, 1790 millimetres wide, and 1291 millimetres high. The wheelbase measures 2496 millimetres.
The retractable hardtop roof on the BMW Z4 is in two pieces of lightweight aluminium shell, and will open and close within 20 seconds. While it is stowed away in the roof compartment, it’ll still leave you a handy boot capacity of 180 to 310 litres and 330kg.
Inside, a transport bag is included to stow bulky items like ski or golf bags, special leather reduces heat and sun damage, and the plays CDs and MP3 music files. The optionally available audio system HiFi professional comes with 14 loudspeakers and two additional central base speakers, with amplifier output of up to 650 Watt. Standard on the Z4 sDrive30i and Z4 sDrive35i is HiFi equipped with 11 loudspeakers, at 245 Watt.
Boasting Dynamic Drive Control as standard, the BMW Z4 enables the driver to vary the set-up of the drivetrain and suspension (only with Adaptive m Suspension) at the touch of a button in three modes. And, the new generation of BMW iDrive is now available for the first time on the BMW Roadster, combining with the optional Professional navigation system.
BMW iDrive masterminds all entertainment, information, navigation and telecommunication functions, with the driver barely taking his eyes off the road. The system is made up of the Controller on the centre console and a high-resolution Control Display folding out of the dashboard.
The new BMW Z4 offers a choice of three straight-six power units displacing either 3.0 or 2.5 litres.
The BMW sDrive35i has a maximum output of 225 kW at 5800 rpm, and accelerates to 100 kmh in 5.2 seconds (seven-speed sports automatic with double clutch in 5.1 seconds).
Top speed is 250 kmh, where the speed of the car is limited by electronic control.
The power unit in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i develops maximum output of 190 kW from 3.0 litres capacity at an engine speed of 6600 rpm. This model accelerates from a standstill to 100 kmh in 5.8 seconds (with sports automatic in 6.1 seconds). Top speed, in turn, is limited electronically to 250 kmh.
The 2.5-litre engine in the BMW Z4 sDrive23i develops its maximum output of 150 kW at 6400 rpm and accelerates to 100 kmh in 6.6 seconds (with sports automatic in 7.3 seconds). Top speed is 242 kmh (with sports automatic: 239 kmh).
Safety elements on the BMW Z4 include head/thorax airbags, new belt tightening technology, reinforced A-pillars and roll bars behind the headrests, runflat safety tyres and a tyre defect indicator.
The paintwork colours available on the new BMW Z4 is made up of nine colour tones including Orion Silver metallic exclusive to the new Roadster.