A pure-bred roadster, more sporting and visually appealing than ever: this is the BMW Z4 for model year 2023. The latest version of the open-top two-seater incorporates a raft of detail updates, brings fresh design accents to the exterior, expands the range of standard equipment and adds new items to the options list. The new features underscore more than ever the sporting character of the BMW Z4. In so doing, they provide the ideal ingredients with which to build on its success story as both a symbol of pure driving pleasure in the Bavarian premium carmaker’s line-up and the global leader in its market segment.

The BMW Z4 brings the traditional roadster experience to the modern era, with its powerful engines and rear-wheel drive, a vehicle concept centred around agility and dynamic excellence, a classical fabric soft-top roof and a progressive, premium ambience inside the cabin. Its external appearance exudes sporting potency elevated to new heights, the exterior features of the M Sport package – which are now also included as standard for the four-cylinder models – making this immediately apparent. With standard specification having been expanded and the structure of the offering streamlined, the Advantage, Sport Line and M Sport equipment lines are no longer featured. A wide selection of exterior paint finishes (three new variants are available), additional M light-alloy wheels in 19-inch format and M lights Shadow Line provide extra scope for customers to put their own individual stamp on the BMW Z4.

Continuing the successful roadster tradition at BMW.

With its hallmark BMW sporting prowess, the BMW Z4 draws inspiration from the historic roots of the brand. The history of BMW roadsters as the epitome of driving pleasure and success on the race track extends back to the company’s formative years as a carmaker. And the brand’s open-top two-seaters have also represented important staging posts in the development of BMW in the more recent past. The BMW Z1 unveiled in 1987 was developed by BMW Technik GmbH as a showcase for innovation and captured the imagination with its front-mid-engined design, slide-down doors, steel monocoque and plastic body panels. Some 8,000 examples were delivered to customers between 1988 and 1991, and today each is a much-coveted collector’s item. The BMW Z3 presented in 1995 was the brand’s first model to be produced exclusively at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA. The BMW Z3 was introduced to the public on the silver screen – as James Bond’s service vehicle in the film GoldenEye.

Four years later, a Hollywood premiere as a cast member of a Bond blockbuster also brought the BMW Z8 to worldwide attention. In the 1999 movie The World Is Not Enough, the roadster bewitched audiences with its classical lines recalling the legendary BMW 507. Under the sweeping bonnet of the hand-built BMW Z8, the 5.0-litre V8 engine with 294 kW originally developed for the BMW M5 put in a spectacular performance in cinemas and on the road alike.

The BMW Z4 has embodied open-top driving pleasure for a driver and passenger for 20 years now. The first generation of the roadster was revealed at the 2002 Mondial de l’Automobile show in Paris. It was followed four years later by the likewise two-seater BMW Z4 Coupé, out of which a GT3 racing car was developed that enjoyed considerable success in the Nürburgring endurance racing series. On the road, too, the BMW Z4 was busy setting new dynamic benchmarks. And the roadster and coupé were also offered as high-performance sports cars from BMW M GmbH, powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine producing 250 kW.

A retractable hardtop was the show-stopping feature of the second-generation BMW Z4, allowing it to replace both the roadster and coupé versions of the previous model. Flowing lines, a long bonnet and a set-back passenger compartment were the defining elements of the two-seater’s appearance, the new model wasting little time after its premiere in 2009 in earning itself the Eyes On Design Award, the International Design Excellence Award and the red dot Design Award. On the race track, the BMW Z4 picked up on the success recorded by its predecessor with a variant developed according to GT3 regulations. Customer sport teams powered to victory with this racing machine in events including the 24-hour races in Dubai and at Spa-Francorchamps.

The third generation: six-cylinder in-line engine sets it apart.

The current BMW Z4 has been on the market since 2020 and is built by BMW Group production partner Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria. The worldwide market launch of the new edition will get underway in November 2022. The engine line-up comprises a pair of four-cylinder engines and a six-cylinder in-line unit that gives the BMW Z4 M40i (fuel consumption combined: 8.1 – 7.9 litres/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 184 – 179 g/km in the WLTP cycle) a genuinely unique selling point in its segment. The BMW M model has accounted for more than 30 per cent of worldwide sales of the roadster in recent times; in Germany the BMW Z4 M40i has posted a figure as high as 48 per cent.

Over 55,000 units of the third-generation BMW Z4 have been sold worldwide to date. The most important individual market for the roadster is Germany, where around 26 per cent of all cars from the current model generation have been sold. Next up are the USA (with 17 per cent), China, the United Kingdom and Japan. In a generally diminishing vehicle segment, the BMW Z4 has maintained extraordinarily consistent sales volumes since it went on sale. From day one, it has been by far the highest-selling model in a hotly contested class populated exclusively by German premium brands. And it has consistently increased its market share ever since.

A vehicle character geared squarely to delivering thoroughbred driving pleasure and built around an athletic design, vivacious powertrain and smile-inducing agility is a major factor in the strong popularity of the BMW Z4. These qualities have also earned the BMW Z4 regular victories in comparison tests conducted by the motoring press. Indeed, the BMW Z4 has enjoyed a positive response from the media since the moment it was presented. German car magazine auto, motor und sport proclaimed it “the sports car comeback of the year”, while Auto Bild described it as the “hottest convertible of the year”. And the BMW Z4 has also performed outstandingly well in public surveys. Readers of Motor Klassik magazine crowned it a “future classic” back in 2019. Plus, the roadster performed well on many fronts in the sport auto readers’ poll, with each of the three variants winning a “sport auto Award”.

More dynamic than ever: M Sport package as standard, BMW kidney grille with a new design.

With muscular proportions, a pristine aesthetic guided by BMW’s current design language and a host of individual details, the exterior design of the BMW Z4 encapsulates the modern interpretation of the classical open-top sports car. Hallmark features of the front end include the large air intakes, the LED headlights with vertically arranged light sources positioned to the outer edges, and the long bonnet, which stretches over the wheel arches. The latest design modifications shine an even brighter spotlight on the roadster’s width and powerful stance.

Playing a particularly prominent role here are the exterior features of the M Sport package, which are now also included as standard on the four-cylinder models. They include the three-section air intakes in the front apron familiar from other M models, distinctive side-sill contouring and a rear apron with bold edging at either side. The side air intakes – which guide the onrushing air to the air curtains, reducing turbulence in the wheel arches – have been remodelled. And detail updates have been made to the design of the BMW kidney grille, which has gained significantly in visual impact. The kidneys now have a horizontal inner structure, reinforcing the impression of a wide front end. The performance-centric character of the BMW Z4 M40i is underscored by features including exterior mirror caps in Cerium Grey and trapezoidal tailpipe trims for the exhaust system.

Also contributing to the sporting authenticity of the BMW Z4’s exterior appearance are the clear surfaces of the car’s flanks (with two dynamically flowing character lines bringing structure), the large air breathers rearwards of the front wheel arches, the spoiler integrated into the boot lid, the slim, L-shaped rear lights and the eye-catching diffuser element in the rear apron. The roadster’s classical fabric soft-top is electrically operated and can also be opened or closed – within the space of 10 seconds – at the touch of a button while the car is moving at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

Exclusive 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, three new exterior colours.

New additions to standard equipment include 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design. These bi-colour wheels are fitted with mixed-size tyres: 225/45 R18 at the front axle and 255/40 R18 at the rear. Options now available to customers include M light-alloy wheels in 19-inch format designed exclusively for the BMW Z4. The V-spoke design, Jet Black matt finish and diamond polished rim edges bring an extremely striking and sophisticated aura to the roadster’s side view. The 19-inch M light-alloy wheels are shod with tyres in 255/35 ZR19 format at the front axle and 275/35 ZR19 at the rear.

The range of exterior paint finishes for the BMW Z4 has been carefully revised, with new and boldly expressive variants added. As well as the body colours Thundernight metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic available for the roadster for the first time, the selection also includes four other variants spanning a broad spectrum between white, black, red and grey – including the shimmering matt BMW Individual paint finish Frozen Grey metallic. The fabric soft-top of the BMW Z4 will continue to be offered in Anthracite Silver effect as an alternative to the standard black.

Also new to the options list are the M lights Shadow Line, which can be ordered in conjunction with the likewise optional Adaptive LED Headlights. The headlights’ dark inserts help imbue the front end of the car with a discreetly sporting aura. And they form a neatly judged composition with the M high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim with extended elements.

Classical sports car cockpit with M-specific touches.

The design of the BMW Z4 interior is led by a driver-focused cockpit layout, sport seats with integral head restraints, clear, forward-facing lines and the limiting of decorative surfaces to a small number of areas. The BMW Z4 sDrive20i (fuel consumption combined: 7.4 – 6.9 litres/ 100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 166 – 157 g/km in the WLTP cycle) comes as standard with Vernasca leather, which can be specified in Black, Ivory White, Cognac or Magma Red. The BMW Z4 M40i has leather/Alcantara trim with blue contrast stitching and blue piping as standard. 

Seat heating, the wind deflector, extended storage, the through-loading system, Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, the automatically dimming rear-view mirror and two-zone automatic climate control are included as standard in all model variants. The BMW Z4 M40i is also fitted as standard with ambient lighting and M door sill finishers.

High-revving engines, sophisticated chassis technology.

Instantaneous power delivery, an enthusiastic appetite for revs, exemplary efficiency and the smoothness for which BMW is renowned are the signature characteristics of the three petrol engines also available for the new edition of the BMW Z4. The four-cylinder engine powering the BMW Z4 sDrive20i teams up as standard with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

The exceptional status of the BMW Z4 when it comes to powertrain technology is embodied most prominently by the top-of-the-range model, whose six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology is unmatched by any rival and displays outstanding performance attributes. The 3.0-litre, 285 kW unit develops peak torque of 500Nm and powers the BMW Z4 M40i from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The four-cylinder engine, with a displacement of 2.0 litres and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, also stands out with its vivacious performance characteristics. With maximum output of 145 kW and peak torque of 320Nm, the BMW Z4 sDrive20i sprints from rest to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Together with its compact proportions, minimised weight, low centre of gravity and almost perfect 50 : 50 weight distribution, the immense rigidity of the body and chassis structure and highly effective aerodynamics of the BMW Z4 provides the ideal platform for sporty handling that will enthuse and delight. Unlocking a compelling blend of agility and ride comfort is chassis technology which brings together a two-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear axle. Standard specification for all model variants also includes variable sport steering.

The M Sport suspension optimises driving dynamics with its firm damper and spring tuning. The BMW Z4 M40i has adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers and M Sport brakes with a choice of blue- or red-painted callipers. The range-topping model is also fitted with an M Sport differential at the rear axle.

Cutting-edge driver assistance systems, intelligent connectivity.

The BMW Z4 offers customers a host of state-of-the-art driver assistance systems to enhance levels of both comfort and safety. Standard specification includes Front Collision Warning with brake intervention, Lane Departure Warning including lane return, and the Speed Limit Info function with no-overtaking indicator. Among the items on the options list are the Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Lane Change Warning, rear collision warning, crossing traffic warning, the Parking Assistant and the Reversing Assist Camera. Also available is the BMW Head-Up Display, which projects driving information onto the windscreen.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional ensures intuitive operation and intelligent connectivity. It brings customisable screens for the fully digital instrument cluster and control display, both of which have a diagonal of 10.25 inches. Its functionality also includes the BMW Maps navigation system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, smartphone integration, a Wi-Fi hotspot and an alarm system.

On Location Pictures: The all-new BMW Z4 Roadster National Media Launch in South Africa.

BMW has a rich history of roadsters that have stood out as icons of pure driving pleasure. And now another is about to join the hall of fame in the shape of the new BMW Z4 – a premium open-top sports car boasting a classic fabric soft-top, an emotion-packed body design and a puristic, driver-focused interior. The two-seater has been systematically designed for maximum agility, thrilling dynamism, plus supremely precise steering characteristics with instantaneous response. The new BMW Z4 combines its sporty on-road prowess with a wealth of highly advanced, top-class equipment features on the driver assistance, operation and connectivity fronts.

The car’s proportions provide the most striking evidence of how the classic roadster concept has been reinterpreted. Compared to its predecessor, the new BMW Z4 has grown in length by 85 millimetres to 4,324 millimetres, is 74 millimetres wider (now 1,864 millimetres) and 13 millimetres taller (1,304 millimetres). The shortening of the wheelbase by 26 millimetres to 2,470 millimetres serves to sharpen agility, as do the notably wider tracks – 1,609 millimetres at the front (+ 98 mm) and 1,616 millimetres at the rear (+ 57 mm). The body structure and chassis mountings both have remarkably high rigidity, while the new design of the front and rear axles gives the car a far sportier edge at the same time as guaranteeing high levels of comfort. The central seating position, low centre of gravity, minimised weight and ideal 50 : 50 weight distribution are further contributory factors in the intoxicating dynamism of the new BMW Z4.

The Paris Motor Show hosted the show premiere of the new BMW Z4 in October 2018. Market launch starts this month (March 2019) with a choice of two model variants, including a BMW M Performance option. The new BMW Z4 M40i (fuel consumption combined: 7.4 – 7.1 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 168 – 162 g/km*) is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine delivering 250 kW. The BMW Z4 sDrive20i (fuel consumption combined: 6.1 – 6.0 l/100 km]; CO₂ emissions combined: 139 – 137 g/km*), meanwhile, takes to the stage with a four-cylinder unit producing an output of 145 kW respectively.

Exterior design: a pure aesthetic wrapped in a new design language.

A clear and precise design language and a number of signature details serve up the defining features of the new BMW Z4’s emotionally rich, pure-bred exterior design. The two-seater has a low-slung, sporty, compact appearance whether the soft-top is up or down. With its new-look mesh-design BMW kidney grille and – for the first time – a vertical headlight arrangement, the car cuts an unmistakable figure from the front. The new BMW Z4 is equipped with LED headlights as standard, while the optional Adaptive LED headlights add a matrix function for the non-dazzling high beam and cornering lights.

The elongated bonnet with arrow-shaped contour lines directed at the kidney grille straddles the wheel arches in the “clamshell” style so characteristic of classical sports cars. The joins at the bonnet’s sides merge into the upper character line that runs back along the flanks all the way to the tail lights. A second character line emerges from the large Air Breather rearwards of the front wheel arch. This interplay of surfaces mimics the flow of air sweeping along the new Z4, while the boot lid’s integral spoiler, slender L-shaped light units and diffuser set the tone for the car’s muscular rear end. There is a choice of five exterior paint shades and the fabric soft-top comes in Black as standard or Anthracite with silver effect as an option. It is electrically operated and can be opened or closed in ten seconds, even when travelling at up to 50 km/h.

Interior: clear driver focus with a high-class aura.

With its driver-focused cockpit design, lines that surge forward with dynamic élan and trim finishers restricted to just a few areas, the cabin of the new BMW Z4 paints a picture of unadulterated driving pleasure. Electroplated detailing adds to the roadster’s sophisticated ambience, while the clearly structured arrangement of the controls focuses the attention even more on the driving experience.

Both driver and passenger settle into model-specific sports seats with integral head restraints. The BMW Z4 M40i is upholstered in leather and Alcantara interior. The optional draught stop fits flush between the fixed rollover bars. And a storage space behind the seats, cupholders under the centre armrest cover (which folds open in two sections with a longitudinal split) and large door pockets add further practical features. Boot capacity is 281 litres whether the soft-top is open or closed – an increase of more than 50 per cent compared to the outgoing model. 

Mighty engines, systematically enhanced chassis.

The engines available for the new Z4 benefit from myriad detail upgrades and promise a pulsating brand of power delivery. They send that power to the road through the latest-generation eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. Hard at work in the BMW Z4 M40i is a 3.0-litre straight-six unit featuring M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology. The 250 kW engine generates peak torque of 500 Nm and propels the roadster from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The line-up of engines is completed by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. In the new BMW Z4 sDrive20i, maximum output of 145 kW and peak torque of 320 Nm translate into a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.6 seconds. The three power units come with a gasoline particulate filter to further reduce emissions, and all model variants comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard.

The chassis technology in the new BMW Z4 has been designed across the board for supreme agility and handling dynamics, and comprises a newly designed double-joint spring strut axle at the front and a five-link rear axle that is making its debut in a BMW roadster. This particular combination strikes just the right balance between sportiness and ride comfort. Another feature on the standard equipment list is variable sport steering with adjustment of both power assistance and steering angle to suit the situation at hand.

The Adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes and electronically controlled M Sport differential (all part of standard specification for the new BMW Z4 M40i, together with high-performance tyres) elevate the car’s sporty handling abilities to even greater heights. With these chassis systems on board, selecting COMFORT, SPORT or SPORT+ mode with the Driving Experience Control switch changes the car’s responses particularly clearly. The standard 18-inch (BMW Z4 sDrive20i) and 19-inch (BMW Z4 M40i) light-alloy wheels, plus more optional 19-inch items, are all shod with mixed-size tyres.

Wide array of driver assistance systems enhance comfort and safety.

The class-leading variety of driver assistance systems on offer further underlines the highly advanced character of the new BMW Z4. The Collision Warning, Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function and Lane Departure Warning system all come as standard. The list of options includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, distance information, the Lane Change Warning System, Rear Collision Prevention and the Speed Limit Info system with No Passing Info display and – for the first time in a roadster – the BMW Head-Up Display.

Active Park Distance Control and the rear view camera come to the driver’s aid when manoeuvring or parking. These two systems form part of the Parking Assistant, which takes care of steering, acceleration, braking and selecting gears both when parking the car and exiting parking spaces. The Parking Assistant’s range of functions additionally includes the Reversing Assistant, which makes light work of backing up over distances of up to 50 metres by steering the vehicle along exactly the same path it has just driven along in a forward direction.

Intuitive operation and perfect connectivity: BMW Operating System 7.0.

The display and operating system for the new BMW Z4 has also undergone further improvement. The roadster is available with BMW Operating System 7.0, which stands out with state-of-the-art digital functions geared precisely to the driver’s requirements. BMW Live Cockpit Professional brings consistently designed, context-based and customisable graphics to the fully digital instrument cluster and Control Display, each of which have a screen diagonal of 10.25 inches. To ensure perfectly intuitive and need-based operation, the driver has a choice of using the Control Display’s touchscreen functionality, the iDrive Controller, the buttons on the steering wheel or voice control.

• The classical roadster, reinterpreted and sportier than ever: new BMW Z4 fuses typical sports car dynamism with emotion-packed design, an exclusive ambience and advanced equipment features. Unadulterated driving pleasure meets state-of-the-art powertrain, chassis, operating and connectivity technology.
• The new BMW Z4 is a very modern addition to the brand’s long history of engrossing roadsters. Two-seater with fully electric fabric soft-top. Radically revised proportions, central seating position, shorter wheelbase for increased agility and wider tracks than its predecessor. Weight-saving measures and ideal 50 : 50 weight distribution, aerodynamically optimised body.
• Exterior design with precision-led use of forms and various signature details. Headlights positioned at the outer edges of the front end and in a vertical arrangement for the first time. LED headlights as standard, Adaptive LED headlights with matrix function for non-dazzling high beam and cornering lights optional. Large BMW kidney grille in new mesh design. Wide bonnet with prominent contour lines straddles the wheel arches. Large Air Breathers provide the starting point for the lines and surface contouring along the flanks. Muscular, sculptural rear end featuring harmoniously integrated spoiler, slender LED lights and diffuser.
• Modern, high-class interior styling with pronounced driver focus, lines that surge forward with dynamic élan and clearly structured control panels. Pared-down trim finishers reinforce the puristic character. Door panel contours echo some of the exterior graphic elements visible from the side.
• Show premiere in October 2018 at the Paris Motor Show. Launch in March 2019 with a choice of three model variants: BMW Z4 M40i BMW M Performance model (fuel consumption combined: 7.4 – 7.1 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 168 – 162 g/km)* with new 250 kW six-cylinder in-line engine, BMW Z4 sDrive30i (fuel consumption combined: 6.1 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 139 – 137 g/km)* and BMW Z4 sDrive20i (fuel consumption combined: 6.1 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 139 – 137 g/km)* with four-cylinder engines and outputs of 190 kW and 145 kW respectively. Further improved eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard. All engines have a gasoline particulate filter and emissions that comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP standard.
• Only the BMW Z4 M40i and BMW Z4 sDrive20i will be offered in South Africa in 2019. 
• New roadster engineered with focus on maximum agility, dynamism and steering precision. Low centre of gravity. Extremely rigid body structure and chassis mountings. New front and rear axle design. M Sport brakes, Adaptive Sport suspension, M Sport differential and high-performance tyres as standard (BMW Z4 M40i) or available as an option. Variable sport steering and mixed-size tyres as standard for all model variants.
• Extensive standard equipment exuding sports car flair. Model-specific sports seats with integral head restraints. Vernasca leather upholstery as standard in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i, while BMW Z4 M40i has a leather and Alcantara interior as standard. Fixed rollover bars. Driving Experience Control switch can be used to select COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes, each of which changes the car’s responses perceptibly. Fabric soft-top opens and closes at the push of a button within ten seconds, even on the move at up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Boot capacity increased by over 50 per cent (to 281 litres) compared to predecessor. Sport Line model and M Sport package have exclusive design and equipment features.
• Class-leading choice of driver assistance systems: Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function is standard, likewise Lane Departure Warning system. Available as options: Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, traffic sign recognition, distance information, Lane Change Warning system, Rear Collision Prevention and Cross-Traffic Alert, Active Park Distance Control, rear view camera, Parking Assistant with automated longitudinal and lateral vehicle guidance when manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces, and Reversing Assistant. BMW Head-Up Display available in a roadster for the first time.
• Intuitive operation and intelligent connectivity thanks to BMW Operating System 7.0. Optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional with consistently designed, context-based and customisable graphics in the fully digital instrument cluster and in the Control Display (both with screen diagonal of 10.25 inches). Multimodal operation via Control Display’s touchscreen functionality, iDrive Controller, steering wheel buttons or voice control.
• Diverse range of digital services from BMW ConnectedDrive: over-the-air navigation map and software updates. Hazard warnings use interconnectivity with other BMW vehicles. BMW Digital Key for vehicle access and starting the engine from a smartphone.

Munich/Monterey. BMW has redefined the roadster which was revealed under the Californian sun. On 23 August 2018, the Pebble Beach Golf Links near Monterey, the well-known venue of the Concours d’Elegance being held there a little later, became the setting for the world premiere of the new BMW Z4. With dynamic proportions, emotional design and fascinating sportiness, the open-top two-seater will take the classic roadster concept into the world of today and tomorrow. In Pebble Beach, the Munich-based premium carmaker presented the exclusive BMW Z4 M40i First Edition (combined fuel consumption: 7.1-7.4 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 162-168 g/km*). The limited special edition of the roadster inspires not only with the agility, precision and dynamic handling characteristics that are so typical of BMW M Performance models, but also with particularly sophisticated design and equipment features, including a body paintwork in Frozen Orange metallic.

The new edition of the roadster will celebrate its world premiere at precisely the same location that served as the stage for the first public presentation of the BMW Concept Z4 last year. With its puristic, dynamic and progressive design language, the concept vehicle presented a vision of a charismatic sports car which, thanks to the production model, now becomes reality. Just a glance at the new BMW Z4’s proportions leaves no doubt about its dynamic potential. The central sitting position for the driver, the low centre of gravity, perfectly balanced 50 : 50 axle load distribution, wide tracks and a compact wheelbase form the ideal prerequisites for inspiringly agile handling and intense driving pleasure.

The BMW Z4 M40i First Edition fulfils these expectations in every aspect thanks to an extremely powerful 250 kW, straight six-cylinder engine and a sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Sport braking system and an electronically controlled M Sport differential in the rear axle transmission. The BMW M Performance automobile takes a mere 4.6 seconds to sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h.

Vertically aligned headlights, the BMW kidney grille sporting a mesh design, the bonnet stretching sports car-like over the wheels, large air breathers on the front wheel arches and the distinctive spoiler integrated into the rear lid all contribute towards the characteristic look of the new BMW Z4. The design of the interior also places the focus on the puristic sportiness of the new BMW Z4. The driver-oriented cockpit styling is underscored by dynamic forward-oriented lines. Likewise, the clearly structured arrangement of all control elements enhances the focus on the driving experience inside the new BMW Z4.

Moreover, for a perfect start into a new roadster era, the new BMW Z4 M40i First Edition offers specific design and equipment features that add exclusive accents to the car’s sporty flair. The expressive body paintwork in Frozen Orange metallic is combined with an electrically operated textile soft top in anthracite with silver effect, the BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line, black exterior mirror caps and 19-inch light alloy wheels boasting a bicolour, double spoke design. The interior of the edition model comprises the Vernasca black leather trim with decorative stitching, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, the option ambient light and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System. Adaptive LED headlights with matrix function for the high beam, BMW Head-Up Display featured for the first time in a roadster and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional offering the latest networking technology underpin the advanced status the tradition-steeped concept of a two-seater, open-top sports car has reached with the new BMW Z4.

The world premiere of the BMW Z4 M40i First Edition in Pebble Beach offers a both exclusive and fascinating foretaste of the forthcoming on-road debut of the new roadster generation. BMW will announce all details of further engine variants, technical innovations and the diverse equipment features of the two-seater on 19 September 2018. This will be followed a short time later by the trade fair premiere of the new BMW Z4 at the Mondial de l’Automobile (4 – 14 October 2018) in Paris. The worldwide market launch will commence in the first half of 2019.

*All performance, fuel consumption and emissions figures are provisional

Munich. Long bonnet, short overhangs, low centre of gravity, soft top: the sporty two-seater doing its laps at the BMW test centre in Miramas in the south of France is instantly recognisable as a purebred roadster. The new BMW Z4 is currently undergoing another particularly important stage of the process towards serial production maturity, in this case involving driving dynamics testing of a heavily disguised prototype. This will provide key insights into the performance properties of the new model, whose genuine roadster characteristics, pure driving pleasure and captivating sporty flair will soon go out on public roads.

Trials at the Autodrome de Miramas are focusing on fine-tuning of all drive and suspension systems – the basis for the sporty driving experience offered by the new BMW Z4. The most intense form of new dynamic roadster performance is embodied by the BMW Z4 M40i. A new, extremely powerful in-line 6-cylinder engine, a lowered sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, a newly developed front axle, M light alloy wheels with mixed tyres, an M sports brake system and an electronically controlled lock in the rear axle differential create an overall package that sees the BMW M Performance model setting a whole new benchmark for driving pleasure in the roadster segment.

"The vehicle concept of the new BMW Z4 is geared consistently towards agility and driving dynamics," explains Jos van As, Head of Application Suspension. "The high level of body stiffness and the very rigid suspension attachment provide the perfect basis for a set-up that guarantees the performance qualities of a genuine sports car in terms of steering precision as well as longitudinal and transverse acceleration."

Like the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the Miramas test centre offers perfect conditions for the new BMW Z4 to demonstrate its driving dynamics potential. Used by BMW to develop and test new models for more than 30 years, the centre comprises a long asphalt oval and a motorway ring road for high-speed tests as well as slalom, serpentine and circular tracks and a number of handling courses and circuits featuring highly diverse types of surface. These are currently being used for detailed analysis and optimisation of the roadster's acceleration, steering and brake response. For example, the final form of the adaptive M suspension as it interacts with the rear axle limited-slip differential is developed on a circuit that is also used for testing purposes by BMW Motorsport.

This intense testing process already indicates that the new version of the roadster concept will offer a tangible increase in sporty flair in the new BMW Z4. The new generation will particularly introduce effective enhancements in terms of agile handling, spontaneity and precision when changing direction and accelerating in dynamic style out of bends – without losing out in the comfort disciplines.

Munich. Classic roadster proportions, superior engine and drivetrain technology plus innovative equipment features highlight the individual character of the BMW Z4. The two-seater features an electric retractable hardtop that can be raised or lowered when the vehicle is in motion, a feature that makes driving a joy under sunny skies or any kind of weather conditions all year long. The equipment package known as Pure Fusion Design adds an exclusive aesthetic appeal to the sporty open-air experience.

Pure Fusion Design refines the interior of the BMW Z4 to intensify the premium character of the car even more. The various exclusive colours and materials available are expressions of sporty luxury. These are embellished with precision seams, surfaces and exclusive stitching that bring harmony to the orchestration of the interior. The package includes extended premium Nappa leather trim, specially designed sport seats in Ivory White with contrasting brown stitching that highlights the perforated surface of the contoured side supports in the seat backs. The armrests, door panels and the passenger pull handle are also enhanced by the exclusive leather and contrast stitching. The lower portion of the dashboard also presents itself in Ivory White and adds to the harmony of the interior color tones. The same effect is achieved with the black leather contrasted with brown lapfolded seams that cover the window sills, the top of the dashboard and the instrument cluster scoop.

Another bold and stylish accent of note is the horizontal trim line made of Saddle Brown Nappa leather with bright contrast stitching that stretches from the passenger side into the driver’s cockpit. The trim on the center console and near the five round controls just below the central air vent in the dash are finished in Fineline wood, a new addition to the interior accents now available. The look and feel of Pure Fusion Design is rounded off by sun visors covered with black Nappa leather.

As an exclusive touch and only in combination with the Pure Fusion Design package, the BMW Z4 can now, for the first time, be ordered with the Sparkling Brown metallic paint finish. A rich choice of other colors is also available. Pure Fusion Design can also be combined with the M Sport package.

The BMW Z4 can be ordered with the Pure Fusion Design equipment package from March 2014.

For further questions please contact:

Edward Makwana

Manager: Group Automotive Communications

BMW South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Tel: +27-12-522-2227

Email: edward.makwana@bmw.co.za  

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The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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Munich . The interplay of classical proportions and state-of-the-art technology
defines the unmistakable character of the BMW Z4 – and now an updated version of the Roadster is ready for action, armed with a raft of additional powertrain and equipment innovations. The new BMW Z4 represents a
time-honoured and yet alluringly contemporary interpretation of the traditional roadster concept. New exterior features, detailed interior refinements, the new Design Pure Traction equipment package, the new entry-level sDrive18i model and the latest additions to the range of BMW ConnectedDrive features all provide fresh impetus and lend the BMW Roadster even greater appeal and individuality.

The new BMW Z4 takes to the stage 25 years after the legendary BMW Z1. That Roadster turned heads when it was unveiled at the 1987 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt – not only on account of its revolutionary door concept, but also thanks to its agile and precisely controllable handling. With the BMW Z1 began the latest chapter in the history of BMW Roadsters – a tradition which stretches back to the 1930s and reached the first of many high points with the BMW 328 (winner of the 1940 Mille Miglia) and BMW 507 from 1955. The BMW Z3 and BMW Z8 triggered a fresh wave of excitement for the classical open-top two-seater concept in the 1990s. And they also paved the way for the first-generation BMW Z4 and its successor, the brand’s first Roadster fitted with a retractable hardtop roof.

Design: classical proportions infused with modern character.

The success of modern-day BMW Roadsters is rooted in the rigorous execution of a concept, a process which has left its mark on both the design and the driving properties of each car and is clearly recognisable in the new BMW Z4. The sweeping bonnet, long wheelbase, low beltline and low-slung rear end play a more vivid and uncompromising part in shaping its appearance than is evident with any of its segment rivals. The low seating position just ahead of the rear axle gives the driver and passenger a particularly intense experience of the longitudinal and lateral forces working on the rear wheels. This sense of being “part of the car” also allows the driver to grade the amount of power he’s feeding through the rear axle with sensitivity and precision. That’s the recipe for roadster feeling, BMW-style.

The hardtop roof also blends seamlessly into the car’s form. As it closes, it seals a smoothly flowing roofline, while large window surfaces optimise all-round visibility and the feeling of space inside the car. Once opened, the two roof elements are accommodated, one on top of the other, in a compact package inside the Roadster’s road-hugging rear. The A-pillars – painted an understated black – also underline the low-slung silhouette of the new BMW Z4, especially when the roof is open. The optional BMW Individual hardtop – available in the two contrast colours Black non-metallic and Titanium Silver metallic – provides a feast for the eyes when the roof is closed. The hardtop can be opened at the touch of a button while the car is moving at up to 40 km/h in an automated process lasting 19 seconds.

The distinctive twin circular headlights team up with the broad BMW kidney grille to form a roadster-specific interpretation of the brand’s signature front-end look. The standard bi-xenon headlights of the new BMW Z4 have an extremely slim design and extend well into the front wheel arches. They feature LED light rings which emit daytime driving light in the brand’s hallmark style. Added to which, the light sources now have a strikingly three-dimensional design which accentuates the intricate technology of the headlights. Cutting across the tops of the headlights are LED accent lights, whose metal insert bears BMW lettering. The integrated turn signal indicators have chrome-coloured surrounds, which lend further emphasis to the sophisticated character of the light units. Plus, a newly designed, tapered surround for the side indicators adds a dynamic sweep to the gills on the front side sections of the car.

Striking touches: new paint finishes, Design Pure Traction equipment package, additional light-alloy wheels and the M Sport package.

A total of 11 external paint finishes are available for the new BMW Z4, including the new Mineral Grey metallic, Glacier Silver metallic and Valencia Orange metallic, which can only be ordered together with the Design Pure Traction option. This new equipment package lends the Roadster an extremely lively aura; the interior, for example, boasts an energy-charged contrast of black and orange. The bespoke Alcantara door panel trim, like the lower section of the instrument panel, comes in orange. The black leather seats have contrast stitching in Valencia Orange and an accent stripe running down the central section of the backrests and seat cushions. This stripe is likewise orange and is flanked by two thin white lines. The door panel trim and lower section of the instrument panel can also be specified in black as an option. Another exclusive element of the Design Pure Traction package is the metal weave trim strip, which can be combined with further decorative elements in high-gloss black for the door openers and the gearshift or selector lever. This new equipment package replaces the previously available Design Pure Impulse and is also available in combination with other exterior paint colours as an option.

New interior additions to standard specification include high-gloss black surrounds for the central air vents and the iDrive control system’s folding
Control Display, which comes as part of the optional Professional navigation system. Elsewhere, exquisite Fineline Anthracite wood has been added to the selection of interior trim strips available as an option for the new BMW Z4. The BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW Z4 sDrive35i and BMW Z4 sDrive35is are offered with Kansas leather trim, which is available as an option for the two other models.

New variants have been added to the range of optional light-alloy wheels as well, including newly designed 17-inch and 18-inch wheels in V-spoke design, both of which will be combined with mixed tyres.

The engaging character of the Roadster as a driver’s tool is given particular emphasis by the likewise optional M Sport package, which contributes
M Sport suspension, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels and an M aerodynamics package with large air intakes in the front wing and a rear bumper inlay painted Anthracite metallic. Bringing an extra dose of sporting flair into the interior, meanwhile, are features such as sports seats, an M leather steering wheel, M driver’s footrest, M door sill finishers and an anthracite-coloured roof liner. The Aluminium Carbon trim strip, leather M gear lever knob and grey dials for the instrument cluster lend the finishing touches to the interior ambience. The new BMW Z4 sDrive35is comes as standard with a model-specific version of the M Sport package.

Engines: BMW TwinPower Turbo technology at five output levels.

The BMW Z4 will be available with a larger, five-strong line-up of petrol engines from launch, and customers will be able to choose from three four-cylinder and two six-cylinder powerplants. Their most significant shared feature is BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which ensures an exceptionally effective balance between driving pleasure and fuel consumption throughout the output range. All variants of the new BMW Z4 already meet – as standard – the stipulations of the EU6 exhaust emissions standard due to come into force in 2014.

The BMW Z4 sDrive18i takes to the stage as the new entry-level model. It is powered by a 2.0-litre engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology which develops maximum output of 115 kW at 5,000 rpm. The new variant of the four-cylinder unit delivers peak torque of 240 Newton metres between 1,250 and 4,400 rpm. The BMW Z4 sDrive18i is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, but an eight-speed sports automatic can also be ordered as an option. The new model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds (automatic: 8.1 seconds) and hits a top speed of 221 km/h (220 km/h). Average fuel consumption for the BMW Z4 sDrive18i in the EU test cycle is 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres with both the manual and automatic gearbox. CO2 emissions stand at 159 grams per kilometre.

The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package for the new BMW Z4 sDrive18i includes twin-scroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft control. An identical version of this technology package is also used in the engines – likewise 2.0-litre units – under the bonnet of the BMW Z4 sDrive20i and BMW Z4 sDrive28i. These engines can also be ordered with an eight-speed sports automatic gearbox with shift paddles on the steering wheel as an alternative to the standard-fitted six-speed manual. The automatic has been optimised to deliver even better acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h. The existing engine variants – the sDrive20i, sDrive28i, sDrive35i and sDrive35is – retain their places in the range.

Extensive comfort-enhancing equipment.

The new BMW Z4 delivers the driving pleasure customers have come to expect from the brand, fulfilling the desire for both sporting ability and comfort. Drivers can use the standard-fitted Driving Experience Control switch to select a configuration to suit the situation at hand and satisfy personal preferences. COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes can all be called up using the rocker switch on the centre console. As well as adjusting the responses of the engine and DSC stability system, the different modes also alter the shift characteristics of the automatic gearbox, the responses of the Servotronic function and the mapping of the electronically controlled dampers, if these items are specified. These modes allow the driver to choose from a selection of distinctive and clearly differentiated set-ups for the car.

Other items of equipment fitted as standard are xenon headlights, air conditioning, a heated glass rear window, the Soft Close Automatic function for the boot lid and runflat tyres with a run-flat indicator. The BMW Business radio – including CD player, AUX-IN socket and six loudspeakers – is a standard feature in all the variants of the Roadster, while customers can also choose from options including the BMW Professional radio and the Professional hi-fi-system with 14 loudspeakers. The similarly optional Professional navigation system enables high-resolution map graphics – complete with 3D view – on the 8.8-inch iDrive monitor. The navigation data for the system is stored on an in-car hard disk, which also provides 12 GB of capacity for personal music collections.

The range of driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive has also expanded once again. The new BMW Z4
can be equipped with features such as a rain sensor, Adaptive Headlights
and High Beam Assistant. Cruise control with braking function and
Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear of the car are
also available. If the Professional navigation system is specified, the ConnectedDrive Services option allows use of internet-based information and entertainment services inside the car. This system must be fitted to enable access to the BMW Online portal and apps using the Control Display and iDrive Controller. The Real Time Traffic Information function is also on hand, supplying the driver with congestion warnings and diversion recommendations in real time. Apple iPhone owners can use BMW apps, for example, to receive web radio stations, display Facebook and Twitter posts on the monitor and ask for them to be read out. The range of BMW ConnectedDrive features available for the new BMW Z4 also includes BMW TeleServices, BMW Remote Services, Concierge Services and Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic vehicle location and accident severity detection.

The international market launch of the new BMW Z4 is scheduled for March 2013 and May 2013 for South Africa.

Without doubt, its prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M power unit, developing maximum output of 252 kW, offers performance of the highest conceivable standard. But over and above the sheer power of the engine, also borne out by maximum torque of 365 Newton-metres, the BMW Z4 M Coupé stands out in particular through its chassis and suspension, which has been designed and built to convey enormous power safely and smoothly to the road. In fact, the unique character of this equally unique sports car is expressed most by this high standard of agility and spontaneity.

While obviously being closely related to the BMW Z4 M Roadster, this
fixed-roof two-seater has gone its own way in terms of design and styling. The low and sleek curvature of the roof is typical of a coupé and the striking look of the car from the side makes this new model unmistakable at first sight.

Athletic and authentic – the design of the BMW Z4 M Coupé.

Undoubtedly, the BMW Z4 M Coupé offers a clear impression of the purist diving pleasure this unique car is able to provide. The entire front section of the BMW Z4 M Coupé – like that of the BMW Z4 M Roadster – emanates
a thrilling sense of power and forward-urging dynamism. This impression is accentuated above all by the powerful-looking front air dam with its distinct x-shaped lines and openings, the large air intake scoops in the engine compartment lid, the deeply embedded radiator kidney grille, and the two striking precision lines running along the car.

Seen from the side, the design of this two-door sports machine with its
sleek roof extending down to the rear in typical coupé style and the “Hofmeister kick” characteristic of all BMW models, looks particularly
dynamic and powerful.

This characteristic appearance is further accentuated by a passenger cell moved far to the rear and the lowered contour of the roof in the middle.

In the words of Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Brand Design, “the new BMW Z4 Coupé is best described as a Pocket GT”.  The car has been designed to feel ‘shrink-wrapped’ around its components and occupants to create the tightest-packaged high-performance long-distance GT car possible. 

The new BMW Z4 Coupé was developed as an ‘unofficial’ special project by BMW’s design team during the development process of the Z4 Roadster.  Once the Coupé got the green light for production in 2005, it was then a relatively simple task to integrate it with the underpinnings of the new Roadster.  The Z4’s dynamic chassis and unique engine technology combine successfully with the new Coupé package.  The addition of the Coupé’s exceptionally rigid body shell ensures that the new fixed-head offers unsurpassed levels of traction and agility for the ‘ultimate’ driving experience. 

• High-performance GT with hatch-style boot and ample space for weekend luggage.
• Precise and agile handling thanks to a body torsional rigidity of 32,000Nm/degree.
• 3.0-litre engine in the Z4 3.0si Coupé is the lightest volume-production six-cylinder engine in the world, manufactured from magnesium-alloy.
• Z4 M Coupé features the 3.2-litre multi-award winning engine and BMW M’s Variable M differential.
• Braking system and suspension components from the M3 CSL are standard in the Z4 M Coupé.

*From the summer of 2003, BMW has launched brand-new derivatives of 1 Series, 3 Series Saloon, 3 Series Touring, 5 Series Saloon, 5 Series Touring, 6 Series Coupé, 6 Series Convertible and X3

Expected on local shores inside the fourth quarter of 2006, its prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M power unit developing maximum output of 252 kW offers performance straight out of the top drawer.

Over and above the sheer power of the engine also borne out by maximum torque of 365 Newton-metres, the BMW Z4 M Coupé stands out in particular through its chassis and suspension designed and built to convey enormous power safely and smoothly to the road. Indeed, the unique character of this equally unique sports car is expressed most convincingly by its high standard of agility and spontaneity in responding to all of the driver’s commands.

While obviously being closely related to the recently unveiled BMW Z4 M Roadster, this fixed-roof two-seater follows its own path with regard to design and styling. The low and sleek curvature of the roof typical of a coupé and the striking look of the car from the side make this new model unmistakable at first sight.

The BMW Z4 M Coupé is now bringing to life the Concept Car presented
by BMW at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show in its most sporting and dynamic rendition. A great wish and sincere hope expressed by many sports car enthusiasts everywhere is therefore now becoming reality faster than expected. Entering the market at the same time as the BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si, which will also go on sale in South Africa later this year, the BMW Z4 M Coupé is the most impressive proof of the huge dynamic potential and performance this new model variant is able to offer.

Athletic and authentic – the design of the BMW Z4 M Coupé.

Even at very first sight, the BMW Z4 M Coupé offers a clear impression of the pure driving pleasure this unique car is able to provide. The entire front section of the BMW Z4 M Coupé – like that of the BMW Z4 M Roadster – emanates
a thrilling sense of power and forward-urging dynamism. This impression is accentuated above all by the powerful-looking front air dam with its distinct x-shaped lines and openings, the large air intake scoops in the engine compartment lid, the deeply embedded radiator kidney grille, and the two striking precision lines running along the car.

Seen from the side, the design of this two-door sports machine with its
sleek roof extending down to the rear in typical coupé style and the “Hofmeister kick” characteristic of all BMW models, looks particularly
dynamic and powerful.

This characteristic appearance is further accentuated by the passenger cell moved far to the rear and the lowered contour of the roof in the middle. Ultimately, therefore, both the lines of the car and its proportions convey the same convincing message: the BMW Z4 M Coupé is low, dynamic, and fast.

The BMW Z4 M Coupé is also unmistakable, dynamic and full of character from behind: The passenger compartment merges dynamically into the
rear end of the car, giving the rear wheel arches a particularly powerful and muscular look. The horizontal diffuser and the twin chrome-plated exhaust tailpipes add a particularly striking touch. The luggage compartment offers up to 300 litres capacity, giving the BMW Z4 M Coupé very generous and easily accessible space for a sports car.

High-speed power unit for incomparable performance.

BMW’s new two-seater is powered by the same prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M engine also featured in the BMW M3 and the BMW Z4 Roadster. The engine’s performance figures are well-known from the BMW M3 and are impressive at a glance: 3,246 cc displacement, 252 kW maximum output at an engine speed of 7,900 rpm, maximum engine speed of 8,000 rpm. And no less than 80 per cent of the engine’s maximum torque of 365 Newton-
metres is available at the driver’s request from just 2,000 rpm.

Output per litre is 77.8kW or 106 hp, giving the BMW Z4 M Coupé a power-to-weight ratio of just 5.6 kg/kW. Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 5.0 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

The pleasure of shifting gears six times over.

The concept of a high-speed engine is particularly impressive whenever the torque available is converted into optimum thrust and power on the road by a short overall transmission ratio. This is precisely what the BMW Z4 M Coupé has to offer, with its six-speed manual gearbox laid out for optimum performance throughout the engine’s entire gearshift and speed range. Short gearshift travel, precise action of the shift lever, and close increments between the six gears – these are the typical features of this outstanding transmission.

The Z4 M Roadster: Awe-Inspiring Performance in Every Respect.

Boasting BMW M’s straight-six power unit, the Z4 M Roadster features
a high-performance engine unparalleled in the roadster market. In 2005 this unique engine received the highly respected and acknowledged “Engine of the Year Award” for the fifth time in a row, setting up a record never seen before. Through its high-speed concept and virtually optimum transmission ratios, this outstanding power unit generates enormous thrust and performance across the entire rev range. Its specifications alone are very
im­press­ive: six cylinders, 3,246 cc, 252 kW at 7,900 rpm, 365 Newton-metres at 4,900 rpm and maximum engine speed of 8,000 rpm.

Two other figures perhaps say even more about the engine’s outstanding performance: Output per litre is 106 hp (77.9 kW) and the power-to-weight ratio is 5.9 kilos/kW. On the road this means acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, with the same short time of 5.0 seconds required for intermediate acceleration in fourth gear from 80–120 km/h. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h.

The Joy of Shifting Gears Six Times Over.

The high-speed engine concept is simply ideal for a sports car when it’s offerind in combina­tion with a short overall transmission ratio, since this allows the conversion of engine power into optimum thrust on the rear wheels. Thus combining the M final drive with a six-speed manual gearbox, the engineers at BMW M are able to fulfil this requirement to the highest standard.

Short and crisp shift travel, supreme running smoothness, and precise guidance of the shift lever, with sensitive feedback ensuring that the gear is properly in mesh, are typi­cal fortes of this transmission.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is is making its world debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. And parallel to the market launch of this high-performance roadster in spring 2010, the M Sports Package is being introduced for all further versions of the BMW Z4. More air, more boost, more torque, more driving pleasure.

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characterised in particular by its spontaneous and direct response to the gas pedal, fascinating free-revving performance, and unusually economical use of fuel for a car in this class. Now the outstanding potential of this power unit is being put to even greater use in the new version of the BMW Roadster, features such as optimised air supply and increased boost pressure ensuring an even better flow of power with the same high standard of efficiency.

The combination of BMW Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection offers a level of performance a naturally-aspirated power unit would only be able to provide with a larger number of cylinders and extra displacement, meaning far higher weight and significantly greater fuel consumption.

Instead, the BMW Twin Turbo power unit uses two small turbochargers which, through their low inertia, cut in from the start at relatively low engine speeds, each supplying three cylinders with compressed air. As a result, power and performance are built up with a level of spontaneity quite unusual on a turbocharged engine. The turbocharger system developed for the power unit of the new

BMW Z4 sDrive35is maintains a high boost pressure throughout the entire load range. Peak torque now increased to 450 Newton-metres or 332 lb-ft comes from a low 1,400 rpm and is maintained consistently all the way to 4,500 rpm. Maximum output of 250 kW/340 hp, in turn, is delivered at 5,800 rpm.

extra output of the optimized six-cylinder is maintained consistently throughout all load ranges, above all under very dynamic driving conditions.

When accelerating in the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the driver feels the additional torque and muscle particularly at medium and high engine speeds. Following the policy of the BMW Group, finally, top speed of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

The twin-turbo straight-six power unit already giving the BMW Z4 sDrive35i truly impressive dynamics and all-round performance is

The new BMW Z4 impressed the jury with a design which unmistakably and authentically reflects the driving pleasure characteristic of the roadster. With its long bonnet, long wheelbase, large wheels and short overhangs, the two-seater possesses classic roadster proportions which are interpreted in a modern way with a styling which is characteristic of the brand. Its sophisticated surface design gives the BMW Z4 a fascinating elegance which can be seen from every perspective. Its appearance is that of a vehicle sculpture shaped as a single entity. An equally characteristic feature is the low seating position close to the rear axle. The resulting driving experience and the visual impression of the roadster thus provide a perfectly integrated and fascinating whole. 

For the first time, a BMW Roadster is fitted with a retractable hard top. The dual-section roof in aluminium lightweight construction also contributes to the harmonious design of the BMW Z4. When closed, the hard top provides a flowing, coupé-like roof line which highlights the car’s elegant look. When open, it is discreetly and harmoniously integrated into the flat rear.

The success of the BMW Z4 at the 2009 International Design Excellent Awards builds on the outstanding showing of the BMW Group in this competition in past years. Three vehicles of the BMW Group have received a gold award: the motorcycle models BMW K 1200 LT in 2000 and BMW R 1200 GS (2004) and the MINI Cooper S (2003). Silver has gone to the BMW X5 (2000) and the MINI Convertible (2005), bronze to the motorcycle model BMW F 650 CS (2003). What is more, the BMW 3 Series Convertible and the motorcycle model BMW F 8090 GS achieved finalist status in last year’s competition.

The international jury of the International Design Excellence Awards presented awards in 17 categories this year. In addition to products from the fields of transport, office

equipment, communication, household and consumer electronics, there was also assessment of design research projects and innovations in the field of environmental technology. The official award ceremony will be held on September 26th 2009 after the annual international design conference of the IDSA in Miami.

For questions please contact:

Lindsay Pieterse, Group Lifestyle Communications Manager

Telephone: +27-12-522-2210, Fax: +27-11-805-2775

Karin Elvers, Product Communications, Design Communications BMW Automobiles

Telephone: +49-89-382 23742, Fax: +49-89-382 28017

Dirk Arnold, Product Communications BMW Automobiles
Telephone: +49-89-382 12325, Fax: +49-89-382-20626

Media Website: https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/en

E-mail: presse@bmw.de

The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this supreme two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupé in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster.

Apart from the authentic proportions and the flowing design language of the car, the design of the new BMW Z4 comes out in particular through classic details interpreted in new, up-to-date style typical of the new BMW Z4. This outstanding two-seater thus offers a unique combination of exciting elegance, superior agility and supreme motoring comfort. The aluminium shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, saving maximum space in the process. And even with the roof closed, the new BMW Z4 retains all the proportions so typical of a genuine roadster. So it is with these qualities that it rightly succeeds both the BMW Z4 Roadster and the BMW Z4 Coupé.

To ensure passionate driving pleasure at all times, the new BMW Z4 comes with a range of no less than three straight-six power units displacing either 3.0 or 2.5 litres: 225 kW in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i, 190 kW in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i, and 150 kW in the BMW Z4 sDrive23i ensure truly outstanding performance and dynamic acceleration at all times.

Comprehensive use of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies serves furthermore to provide an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and fuel economy. And last but certainly not least, the top model is available not only with a manual six-speed gearbox, but also with sports automatic featuring seven gears and double-clutch transmission.

Over the years BMW has offered great contemporary artists the chance to express themselves on the surfaces of a variety of the marquee’s sports cars.  However, the art performance created by the young South African, Robin Rhode, daringly moves beyond the concept behind the BMW Art Car Collection.  Here the car is no longer just a stunning model, but itself executing artist.  “This work is an expression of painting in action – my hope is to communicate the power and thrill inherent in the creation of art”, says Rhode.  “For me, the use of an untraditional paintbrush like a high performance car is a great way to investigate the relationship between emotion, technology and industrial creativity.”  The development of the picture, this process of formation itself is as important as the completed oeuvre.  For this reason the Z4 performance is suggestively titled “An Expression of Joy”.

The powerful and vibrant images created by the treads on the huge canvas appear dynamic and spontaneous, as if created out of the whim of the moment.  Yet each movement has been painstakingly planned to the last detail and is the result of an immense technical effort.  Unlike the legendary “action paintings” created by Jackson Pollock nothing was left to chance.  As an artist working at the cutting edge of performing and fine arts, Robin Rhode is an experienced planner and capable of organising and directing a large technical staff, but with “An Expression of Joy” even he broke new ground.  This in every respect is an extraordinary work of art that was to emerge in the huge Downey Studios of Los Angeles and offered another equally challenging aspect.  During the creation of the painting, prize-winning young director, Jake Scott, intended to film the complete performance for the TV campaign accompanying the new BMW Z4 Roadster´s launch in 2009.

But how was the palette of colours actually applied to the tyres?  How was the BMW Z4 harnessed to Robin Rhode´s specific concept?  And how was Jake Scott able to transform this dynamic act of creation into an equally fascinating film?  These questions reflect how many demanding aspects needed to be dealt with in order to create a performance blending high tech and artistic vision.  Obviously, in the beginning was an idea.  The idea was to present the innovative next generation of the BMW Z4 in a totally unusual location.  “One source of inspiration was the seminal work of Gerhard Richter´s series of paintings ‘Red, Yellow, Blue’ made in 1973 for the company headquarters in Munich, Germany”, Rhode explains.  Another reference point was the experimental optic animations from the 1920´s and German Expressionist Film.  “The tracks left by the tyres combine the two-dimensional plane of the picture with the three-dimensional space of the actual driving experience.”

The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this supreme two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupé in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster.

Apart from the authentic proportions and the flowing design language of the car, the design of the new BMW Z4 comes out in particular through classic details interpreted in new, up-to-date style typical of the new BMW Z4. This outstanding two-seater thus offers a unique combination of exciting elegance, superior agility and supreme motoring comfort. The aluminium shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, saving maximum space in the process. And even with the roof closed, the new BMW Z4 retains all the proportions so typical of a genuine roadster. So it is with these qualities that it rightly succeeds both the BMW Z4 Roadster and the BMW Z4 Coupé.

To ensure passionate driving pleasure at all times, the new BMW Z4 comes with a range of no less than three straight-six power units displacing either 3.0 or 2.5 litres: 225 kW in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i, 190 kW in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i, and 150 kW in the BMW Z4 sDrive23i ensure truly outstanding performance and dynamic acceleration at all times.

Comprehensive use of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies serves furthermore to provide an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and fuel economy. And last but certainly not least, the top model is available not just with its “regular” manual six-speed gearbox, but also with sports automatic featuring seven gears and double-clutch transmission.

Design: unique proportions in an interplay of different shapes.

Through its proportions alone, the Z4 is a truly remarkable car: The long, sleek and stretched-out engine compartment, the snug cockpit wrapped around
the driver and passenger, and the short, muscular rear end – there is hardly any other roadster these days with comparable dimensions. A wheelbase measuring 2,495 millimetres and overall width of 1,781 millimetres set a new standard in this class, while the overall length of 4,091 millimetres is both sporting and compact. The result is a genuine athlete resting firmly on the road with short overhangs front and rear - without a single gram of fat!

The Z4 has two waistlines. The lower waistline extends from the engine compartment lid across the door, first moving down and then up again towards the rear. This creates an impression of powerful self-confidence and at the same time is reminiscent of the classic, door-less roadster of the past, giving this two-seater its unmistakable character. The upper waistline, by contrast, extends in a powerful arch from the beginning of the compartment lid all the way to the rear. And the door line extending upwards to the rear at a slight angle is equally exciting and fascinating in its look.

This design is truly special: Particularly striking features are the surfaces, edges, rounded corners and drawn-in areas – clearly visible and interacting among themselves, creating a rapid interplay of concave and convex design. The result is exceptional lines, shadows and reflections, again emphasizing the particular proportions of the BMW Z4.

In the words of Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Brand Design, “the new BMW Z4 Coupé is best described as a Pocket GT”.  The car has been designed to feel ‘shrink-wrapped’ around its components and occupants to create the tightest-packaged high-performance long-distance GT car possible. 

The new BMW Z4 Coupé was developed as an ‘unofficial’ special project by BMW’s design team during the development process of the Z4 Roadster.  Once the Coupé got the green light for production in 2005, it was then a relatively simple task to integrate it with the underpinnings of the new Roadster.  The Z4’s dynamic chassis and unique engine technology combine successfully with the new Coupé package.  The addition of the Coupé’s exceptionally rigid body shell ensures that the new fixed-head offers unsurpassed levels of traction and agility for the ‘ultimate’ driving experience. 

• High-performance GT with hatch-style boot and ample space for weekend luggage.
• Precise and agile handling thanks to a body torsional rigidity of 32,000Nm/degree.
• 3.0-litre engine in the Z4 3.0si Coupé is the lightest volume-production six-cylinder engine in the world, manufactured from magnesium-alloy.
• Z4 M Coupé features the 3.2-litre multi-award winning engine and BMW M’s Variable M differential.
• Braking system and suspension components from the M3 CSL are standard in the Z4 M Coupé.

*From the summer of 2003, BMW has launched brand-new derivatives of 1 Series, 3 Series Saloon, 3 Series Touring, 5 Series Saloon, 5 Series Touring, 6 Series Coupé, 6 Series Convertible and X3

Through its fascinating, sporting dynamism – created by a perfect synthesis of a high-performance power unit, an outstanding chassis and suspension, and
in­novative features all round – and wonderful design, the new BMW Z4 is a car so unique and desirable that four years after its world debut it’s now a genuine must-have.

Significantly, BMW has widened the appeal of the Z4 with the addition of a four-cylinder model to the range. The new BMW Z4 2.0i is BMW South Africa’s first four-cylinder open-topped car of the modern era and makes its debut at a mouth-watering price.

New Six-Cylinder Power Units for the Z4 Roadster.

The six- and four-cylinder power units featured in the BMW Z4 Road­ster are already well-known for their leadership in terms of performance and fuel economy.

Indeed, the new 3.0-litre straight-six in the BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si is currently the most innovative engine in its class, setting the standard in motoring refinement and dynamic perform­ance. Further strengths are the engine’s high output per litre, a very good power-to-weight ratio, and the lowest specific fuel consumption. Maximum output is 195 kW at 6,600 rpm, maximum engine speed is 7,000 rpm, and the engine develops its peak torque of 315 Newton-metres at 2,750 rpm.

The most striking feature from the customer’s perspective in comparison with the former engine is the sporty responsiveness of the new power unit in conjunction with a thrilling engine sound whenever the driver calls up its power. Despite this natural performance bent, the engine dishes up supreme refinement and motoring culture in equal doses when cruising or just breezing along.

Today, nothing has changed. Almost two and a half years on, the Z4 is still a breathtaking experience on the road and still a purist automobile for the connoisseur. Arguably, the Z4 is still the ideal Roadster – but the ideal is not perfect until it is perfectly your own.

Now with the option of new BMW Individual compositions for the Z4 roadster, BMW is enhancing the exclusivity of one of the country’s most sought after sports cars.

After all, in a sports car, more than any other, one starts out with the desire to drive an automobile which entirely meets one’s own requirements of performance, status and exclusivity. The more exacting these requirements are, the more difficult it is to meet them because real exclusivity has one quality above all others: it is extremely rare.

Design and exterior: new paintwork, new personalities

Through its proportions alone, the Z4 is a truly remarkable car: The long, sleek and stretched-out engine compartment, the snug cockpit wrapped around
the driver and passenger, and the short, muscular rear end. But in BMW Individual paint finish, the Z4 takes on a new persona.

While the Individual interior treatment is applicable to the current available colour spectrum, the addition of the iridescent paints Orinoco Metallic and Midnight Blue Metallic allows the Z4 to become even more eye catching.

For the BMW Individual paint finish Orinoco metallic, BMW Individual designers drew their inspiration from the diversity of species which results in a continuous metamorphosis of colours in the delta of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. In the paint finish, as in the river, the blue is overlaid with countless tones of green resulting in a colour that changed when viewed from alternative angles or under different light conditions.

1. The new BMW Z4 M Roadster. (Short Version) 2. Design of the BMW Z4 M
Roadster: The Ultimate in Open-Air Motoring. 3. Drivetrain of the BMW Z4
M Roadster: The Passion of Power. 4. Chassis and Suspension of the BMW
Z4 M Roadster: Driving Pleasure at the Limit. 5. Bodyshell and Passive
Safety of the BMW Z4 M Roadster: Light and Safe. 6. Features and
Equipment of the BMW Z4 M Roadster: Focusing on the Road. 7. The BMW Z4
M Roadster. Specifications. 8. Exterior and Interior Dimensions. 9.
Output and Torque Diagrams. The all-new BMW Z4 M Roadster is the
high-performance ultra-sports version of the Z4 Roadster so many
customers have been waiting for - particularly in South Africa.
Extending BMW's roadster family in no uncertain performance terms, this
unique car takes up and continues the brand's tradition in a segment
originally created by BMW M in the first place: Back in 1997, the BMW
Z3 M Roadster, a model unfortunately not sold in South Africa, marked
the world's first high-performance production roadster. The Z4 M
Roadster: Awe-Inspiring Performance in Every Respect. Boasting BMW M's
straight-six power unit, the Z4 M Roadster features a high-performance
engine unparalleled in the roadster market. In 2005 this unique engine
received the highly respected and acknowledged "Engine of the Year
Award" for the fifth time in a row, setting up a record never seen
before. Through its high-speed concept and virtually optimum
transmission ratios, this outstanding power unit generates enormous
thrust and performance across the entire rev range. Its specifications
alone are very impressive: six cylinders, 3,246 cc, 252 kW at 7,900
rpm, 365 Newton-metres at 4,900 rpm and maximum engine speed of 8,000
rpm. Two other figures perhaps say even more about the engine's
outstanding performance: Output per litre is 106 hp (77.9 kW) and the
power-to-weight ratio is 5.9 kilos/kW. On the road this means
acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, with the same short time of
5.0 seconds required for intermediate acceleration in fourth gear from
80-120 km/h. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h. The Joy
of Shifting Gears Six Times Over. The high-speed engine concept is
simply ideal for a sports car when it's offerind in combination with a
short overall transmission ratio, since this allows the conversion of
engine power into optimum thrust on the rear wheels. Thus combining the
M final drive with a six-speed manual gearbox, the engineers at BMW M
are able to fulfil this requirement to the highest standard. Short and
crisp shift travel, supreme running smoothness, and precise guidance of
the shift lever, with sensitive feedback ensuring that the gear is
properly in mesh, are typical fortes of this transmission.

Great music and a great car are, for many, critical ingredients for the
ultimate driving experience. BMW is no exception. Now, the exceptional
sound quality of BMW audio systems has been acknowledged by THX Ltd.,
the world's leading developer of technologies and certification
programs for the entertainment industry. By achieving THX
certification on the BMW Z4's Professional HiFi System (standard on the
new BMW Z4 3.0si), BMW drivers and passengers are provided with a car
audio experience that rivals high-end home entertainment systems. This
makes BMW the first European car manufacturer to offer a THX Certified
Car Audio System. The THX Certified Car Audio System is available in
the BMW Z4 Roadster and Z4 M Roadster. THX Certification for the top
HiFi system in the BMW Z4. THX Ltd. was established in 1983 by filmmaker
George Lucas to improve the way cinema audiences experience feature
films. THX today continues in this spirit of innovation at the box
office and beyond. The company has taken its mix of technology and
certification programs to emerging entertainment media, including home
theatre systems, DVDs, video games and high performance car audio
systems. The THX Certified Car Audio system in the BMW Z4 is designed
to deliver a music experience as the artist intended. So whether the
focus is on classical music or pop, both the driver and passenger in a
BMW Z4 will enjoy their favourite type of music with a standard of
intensity and brilliance traditionally offered only by the most
sophisticated home entertainment systems. BMW develops sound systems
for the top connoisseur of audio quality. BMW's sound systems are
configured and coordinated individually for each model within the BMW
range. This ensures that each system meets all the demands made of each
vehicle's varying size and body contours. "One of the particular
challenges is to develop optimum sound systems for a convertible, which
is required to offer the same listening experience with the roof both
open and closed" says Edgar Kirk, Head of Development of Audio
Systems of the BMW Group. THX engineers worked closely with BMW to
analyze in detail the Z4's cabin acoustics, speakers and other audio
components in order to check whether they performed to THX
specifications. THX rigorously tested the audio system under a variety
of road and driving conditions. THX analyzed the system for dynamic
range, frequency response, power output and distortion. The result is a
THX Certified System that delivers a smooth, clean sound. BMW Carver
technology, a digital ten-channel audio amplifier, and a digital sound
processor all interact to ensure a supreme THX Certified sound
experience. The Z4 Professional HiFi System offers the option to choose
the experience of enjoying music either in an open-air stage or a
concert hall setting. In order to offer the aficionado of roadster
motoring not only a unique driving experience, but also an incomparable
experience of sound, BMW has introduced Carver technology into this THX
Certified system. "Thanks to Carver technology, a high sound
pressure can be produced with a small speaker diameter" continues
Kirk. The limited package space available for large bass speakers in a
two-seater can be used in the best possible way. Requiring a volume of
only 10 litres per loudspeaker, the system is able to generate enormous
sound pressure (output level) of more than 120 db. A digital
10-channel audio amplifier and sound processor, in turn, gives the
sub-woofers an output of 100 Watts. Two woofers each developing 40 Watts
are positioned at the front of the car, six midrange loudspeakers and
tweeters are fitted in the doors and behind the seats, each driven by a
25 Watts terminal. The Professional HiFi System develops a total power
output of 430 Watts. THX certification combined with BMW's Carver
technology, top-end amplifiers and the perfect configuration of sound
sources within the car ensures a premium sound experience for both
driver and passengers. "We are very happy that our work is
honoured in this way," Kirk concludes. The THX philosophy:
Deliver entertainment experiences that are true to the artist's vision.
THX is one of the few entertainment companies in the world that works to
optimize how music, films and other content is created in the studio,
while also focusing on the consumers entertainment experience in the
cinema, home and automobile. In order to achieve THX certification, car
audio systems must be designed to meet THX's rigorous standards for
quality and performance. THX works with automakers to make sure speaker
layout and positioning, and acoustic performance are optimal for
distributing sound throughout the vehicle. "THX Certified Car
Audio systems are best in class because they are designed to present
music exactly like it was produced in the recording studio or concert
hall" says Laurie Fincham, Chief Scientist at THX Ltd. Today, THX
certification is applied to consumer environments including home
entertainment systems, HiFi components, DVD productions, multi-media
speakers and components, as well as PC and video games. Leading
companies from around the globe look to THX to help them create
products and build venues that deliver the highest quality
entertainment experience. "By teaming with BMW to offer a THX
Certified System in the BMW Z4, we are combining the strengths of two
of the world's premium brands to deliver an exceptional car audio
experience," adds Fincham.

1. The new BMW Z4 Roadster. (Short Version) 2. Design of the BMW Z4
Roadster: Even More Fun in a New Outfit. 3. Drivetrain of the BMW Z4
Roadster: Even More Power and Efficiency. 4. Chassis and Suspension of
the BMW Z4 Roadster: Ultimate Driving Pleasure. 5. Bodyshell and Passive
Safety of the BMW Z4 Roadster: Light and Incredibly Safe. 6. Features
and Equipment of the BMW Z4 Roadster: Purist and Authentic. 7.
Production of the BMW Z4 Roadster: Highly Flexible. 8. The History of
the BMW Roadster. 9. The BMW Z4 Roadster. Specifications. 10. Exterior
and Interior Dimensions. 11. Output and Torque Diagrams. More than any
other sports car in the world, the BMW Z4 Roadster has always embodied
and epitomised the best features of a typical roadster. Now, following
cosmetic revisions and, most notably, the addition of brilliant new NG-6
engines, this iconic BMW sports car is set to thrill the car world all
over again. Through its fascinating, sporting dynamism - created by a
perfect synthesis of a high-performance power unit, an outstanding
chassis and suspension, and innovative features all round - and
wonderful design, the new BMW Z4 is a car so unique and desirable that
four years after its world debut it's now a genuine must-have.
Significantly, BMW has widened the appeal of the Z4 with the addition of
a four-cylinder model to the range. The new BMW Z4 2.0i is BMW South
Africa's first four-cylinder open-topped car of the modern era and
makes its debut at a mouth-watering price. New Six-Cylinder Power
Units for the Z4 Roadster. The six- and four-cylinder power units
featured in the BMW Z4 Roadster are already well-known for their
leadership in terms of performance and fuel economy. Indeed, the new
3.0-litre straight-six in the BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si is currently the
most innovative engine in its class, setting the standard in motoring
refinement and dynamic performance. Further strengths are the engine's
high output per litre, a very good power-to-weight ratio, and the lowest
specific fuel consumption. Maximum output is 195 kW at 6,600 rpm,
maximum engine speed is 7,000 rpm, and the engine develops its peak
torque of 315 Newton-metres at 2,750 rpm. The most striking feature
from the customer's perspective in comparison with the former engine is
the sporty responsiveness of the new power unit in conjunction with a
thrilling engine sound whenever the driver calls up its power. Despite
this natural performance bent, the engine dishes up supreme refinement
and motoring culture in equal doses when cruising or just breezing
along. Superior power and low weight naturally also mean superior
performance and efficiency: The Z4 Roadster 3.0si accelerates from 0 to
100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in fourth
gear comes in 5.5 seconds, and the Z4 Roadster 3.0si is limited
electronically to a top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption in the
combined EU cycle, finally, is just 8.6 litres/100 km.

1. The BMW Z4 Individual 2. BMW Individual - A Short History When BMW
launched the Z4 in 2002 the company meant business in the sports car
realm. Here was a roadster that looked exactly the way an open-topped
car should, a roadster that handled and drove, and offered Sheer
Driving Pleasure, exactly as one would expect a BMW sports car to.
Today, nothing has changed. Almost four years on, the Z4 is still a
breathtaking experience on the road and still a purist automobile for
the connoisseur. Arguably, the Z4 is still the ideal Roadster - but the
ideal is not perfect until it is perfectly your own. With the option
of new BMW Individual compositions for the Z4 roadster, BMW is
enhancing the exclusivity of one of the country's most sought after
sports cars. After all, in a sports car, more than any other, one
starts out with the desire to drive an automobile which entirely meets
one's own requirements of performance, status and exclusivity. The more
exacting these requirements are, the more difficult it is to meet them
because real exclusivity has one quality above all others: it is
extremely rare.

1. The BMW Z4 M Coupé. (Short Version) 2. Specifications. 9.
Torque and Output Diagram. 10. Exterior and Interior Dimensions. The
all-new BMW Z4 M Coupé is a sports car for very special moments -
moments the driver may well experience every kilometre, every mile on
the road. Uncompromising, purist, and extremely powerful, this
two-seater offers an unparalleled experience of undiluted dynamism both
in everyday traffic and on the race track. And sports car enthusiasts
can rejoice because it will be on sale, in South Africa, before the end
of 2006. Expected on local shores inside the fourth quarter of 2006,
its prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M power unit developing
maximum output of 252 kW offers performance straight out of the top
drawer. Over and above the sheer power of the engine also borne out by
maximum torque of 365 Newton-metres, the BMW Z4 M Coupé stands
out in particular through its chassis and suspension designed and built
to convey enormous power safely and smoothly to the road. Indeed, the
unique character of this equally unique sports car is expressed most
convincingly by its high standard of agility and spontaneity in
responding to all of the driver's commands. While obviously being
closely related to the recently unveiled BMW Z4 M Roadster, this
fixed-roof two-seater follows its own path with regard to design and
styling. The low and sleek curvature of the roof typical of a
coupé and the striking look of the car from the side make this
new model unmistakable at first sight. The BMW Z4 M Coupé is
now bringing to life the Concept Car presented by BMW at the 2005
Frankfurt Motor Show in its most sporting and dynamic rendition. A
great wish and sincere hope expressed by many sports car enthusiasts
everywhere is therefore now becoming reality faster than expected.
Entering the market at the same time as the BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si,
which will also go on sale in South Africa later this year, the BMW Z4
M Coupé is the most impressive proof of the huge dynamic
potential and performance this new model variant is able to offer.

1. The BMW Z4 Individual 2. BMW Individual - A Short History 3. The BMW
Z4 - A Technology Recap 4. Specifications. 5. Exterior and Interior
Dimensions. 6. Output and Torque Diagrams. When BMW launched the Z4 in
2003 the company meant business in the sports car realm. Here was a
roadster that looked exactly the way an open-topped car should, a
roadster that handled and drove, and offered Sheer Driving Pleasure,
exactly as one would expect a BMW sports car to. Today, nothing has
changed. Almost two and a half years on, the Z4 is still a breathtaking
experience on the road and still a purist automobile for the
connoisseur. Arguably, the Z4 is still the ideal Roadster - but the
ideal is not perfect until it is perfectly your own. Now with the
option of new BMW Individual compositions for the Z4 roadster, BMW is
enhancing the exclusivity of one of the country's most sought after
sports cars. After all, in a sports car, more than any other, one
starts out with the desire to drive an automobile which entirely meets
one's own requirements of performance, status and exclusivity. The more
exacting these requirements are, the more difficult it is to meet them
because real exclusivity has one quality above all others: it is
extremely rare. Design and exterior: new paintwork, new personalities
Through its proportions alone, the Z4 is a truly remarkable car: The
long, sleek and stretched-out engine compartment, the snug cockpit
wrapped around the driver and passenger, and the short, muscular rear
end. But in BMW Individual paint finish, the Z4 takes on a new persona.
While the Individual interior treatment is applicable to the current
available colour spectrum, the addition of the iridescent paints
Orinoco Metallic and Midnight Blue Metallic allows the Z4 to become
even more eye catching. For the BMW Individual paint finish Orinoco
metallic, BMW Individual designers drew their inspiration from the
diversity of species which results in a continuous metamorphosis of
colours in the delta of the Orinoco River in Venezuela. In the paint
finish, as in the river, the blue is overlaid with countless tones of
green resulting in a colour that changed when viewed from alternative
angles or under different light conditions. Similarly, Midnight Blue
metallic with its fine pigmentation reveals a sea of colours when
looked at closely, with an effect similar to the changing surface of
the ocean itself. In addition, the BMW Z4 Individual rides on signature
18-inch BMW Individual V-spoke light-alloy wheels exclusive to BMW
Individual with mixed tyres: 225/40 R18 up front and 255/35 R18 at the rear.

1 The New BMW Z4......2 2 Specifics......8 3 Production of the New
BMW Z4......12 4 Specifications......16 5 Exterior and Interior
Dimensions......17 6 Output and Torque Diagrams......19 The New BMW
Z4. The BMW Z4 certainly means business: This is exactly what a BMW
roadster must look like, this is exactly how it must drive. The Z4 is a
breathtaking experience on the road appealing to all your senses as a
purist automobile for the connoisseur. It not only represents one side
of BMW's new design language, but also sets new roadster standards in
many areas: Self-confident, powerful, sporting and aesthetic, the Z4
offers extremely precise and safe handling ensuring driving pleasure of
the most supreme calibre beyond comparison in the market. BMW?s new
two-seater is making its debut as the Z4 3.0i with a 170 kW powerful
straight-six and as the Z4 2.5i featuring a 141 kW straight-six.
Design: unique proportions in an interplay of different shapes. Through
its proportions alone, the Z4 is a truly remarkable car: The long,
sleek and stretched-out engine compartment, the snug cockpit wrapped
around the driver and passenger, and the short, muscular rear end -
there is hardly any other roadster these days with comparable
dimensions. A wheelbase measuring 2,495 millimetres and overall width
of 1,781 millimetres set a new standard in this class, while the
overall length of 4,091 millimetres is both sporting and compact. The
result is a genuine athlete resting firmly on the road with short
overhangs front and rear - without a single gram of fat! The Z4 has two
waistlines. The lower waistline extends from the engine compartment lid
across the door, first moving down and then up again towards the rear.
This creates an impression of powerful self-confidence and at the same
time is reminiscent of the classic, door-less roadster of the past,
giving this two-seater its unmistakable character. The upper waistline,
by contrast, extends in a powerful arch from the beginning of the
compartment lid all the way to the rear. And the door line extending
upwards to the rear at a slight angle is equally exciting and
fascinating in its look. This design is truly special: Particularly
striking features are the surfaces, edges, rounded corners and drawn-in
areas - clearly visible and interacting among themselves, creating a
rapid interplay of concave and convex design. The result is exceptional
lines, shadows and reflections, again emphasizing the particular
proportions of the BMW Z4. The interior: tailor-made for a sporting
experience. Getting into the Z4, you will realise right away that this
two-seater is a truly modern roadster: The two doors extending far to
the back, as well as the low entry cut-outs, do not require the driver
or passenger to undergo any kind of contortion to climb aboard. And
once you are in your seat, you will enjoy your ideal roadster position,
sitting down very low and far to the rear, behind the car's centre of
gravity and point of rotation. This ensures direct perception of all
vehicle movements and, particularly in tight bends, makes for a very
special experience on the road. The seats themselves are both
comfortable and ergonomic in design. Offering very good side support,
they can be set to many different positions, the extremely wide range
of adjustments together with significant headroom allowing even very
tall and short drivers to find their ideal seating position. For
further convenience, the steering column may be adjusted for both reach
and angle, whilst the height-adjustable headrests feature a new kind of
absorption foam significantly reducing the risk of injury particularly
in a collision from behind. The exterior design of the BMW Z4 continues
throughout the interior of the car, the driver enjoying classic
roadster design of the highest standard: straightforward, clear, modern
and elegant, just right for driving with the roof down. The instrument
panel is curved towards the inside, the centre console is shaped like
a letter T facing towards the instrument panel. The speedometer and rev
counter are the dominating instruments on the dashboard. Paying homage
to classic roadsters of yesteryear, the tube-like instrument covers
prevent any reflection of the instruments in the windscreen. The
on-board computer LCD display is integrated in the speedometer; the
fuel gauge and water temperature gauge are in the rev counter. The gear
indicator (on models with automatic transmission) and the telltales are
arranged between the two instruments, the heating and air conditioning
are controlled by rotary knobs in the instrument panel above the centre
console. One level higher up you will then find the controls for the
radio or, respectively, the HiFi system. The Z4 offers its passengers
lots of convenient space: a glove compartment, two built-in pockets in
the doors, and a box with a capacity of approximately ten litres in the
rear bulkhead between the seats. The cover on top is locked together
with the central locking; the opening mechanism is hydraulically
dampened. A small storage box beneath the handbrake lever is very
convenient for coins required when parking or other small odds and
ends. And last but certainly not least, two cupholders are available as
an option, folding out beneath the side ventilation nozzles in the
einstrument panel and readily adjusting to cups or cans varying in
size. To ensure optimum use of the luggage compartment with the roof
closed, the BMW Z4 comes with a variable roof storage compartment. Like
on the 3 Series convertible, the roof compartment made of a special
synthetic material can be disconnected and folded up like a box -
again, a unique feature in this class increasing luggage compartment
capacity in this case from 240 to 260 litres (which is enough space for
two golf bags or four crates of bottles). To prevent damage to the roof
or the luggage, a safety switch on the electrohydraulic roof stops the
roof cover from being opened when the roof box is folded up. The roof
has a special folding mechanism. The Z4 is the first open-air BMW to
feature a folding roof with a special folding mechanism. This folding
mechanism takes up very little space and allows the frontmost part of
the roof to extend like a cover over the soft top, merging flush with
the body of the car. As a result, the Z4 requires neither a tonneau
cover nor a roof lid. The rear window, finally, is made of scratch-proof
mineral glass and comes with electric heating. Naturally, the roof is
fully automated. All you do is press a button and the entire process of
opening the roof is completed electromechanically within less than ten
seconds; an electrohydraulic mechanism folding up and placing the roof
in position. Obviously, the operation is exactly the other way round
when closing the roof. Both interior noise and climate comfort have
been enhanced to an even higher standard in a specific process of
optimisation and through the use of an additional inner lining within
the soft top. A wind deflector system helps to keep out draughts. It is
made up of two windows fitted in position within the two rollbars and a
net between the rollbars held in position by a frame. Whenever the net
is not in use, it fits into a special holder in the luggage
compartment. At a later stage, a hardtop will be available as an option.
A special feature of this firm roof is the spoiler with air flowing
through at the rear, increasing downforces and thus improving the car's
driving characteristics yet again. The drivetrain: prize-winning
six-cylinders. The Z4 is entering the market with prize-winning power
units, BMW's straight-six once again winning the highest awards this
year in international engine contests. Appropriately, this two-seater
comes with the two top-of-the-range engines, the 2.5-litre developing
maximum output of 141 kW at 6,000 rpm and the 3.0-litre offering
maximum output of 170 kW at 5,900 rpm. On the road this means
performance justifying the term sports car in every respect:
Acceleration from 0 to100 km/h comes in 7.0 and 5.9 seconds
respectively, top speed is rated at 220 km/h and 250 km/h. The Power
Button: DDC Dynamic Drive Control. The BMW Z4 comes with a very special
button for the particularly dedicated driver, giving the engine even
more 'kick' at the command of the driver: DDC Dynamic Drive Control
calls up maximum engine power even earlier than usual in the Sports
mode, engine management following an even more dynamic and sporting gas
pedal control line. To reflect this enhanced response of the engine, the
steering also becomes even more direct and sporting, speed-related servo
assistance (Servotronic function) offered by the Electric Power Steering
(EPS) following an even more sporting and dynamic control map. And if
the car is fitted with SMG or automatic transmission as an option, DDC
revs up the gears even higher and makes the gearshift even faster.
New: EPS Electric Power Steering. The Z4 is the first BMW with electric
instead of hydraulic power steering. With the steering being controlled
by software, EPS offers a much higher standard of flexibility in its
steering characteristics and ensures optimum harmony of the steering
damper effect and feedback to the driver. Contrary to conventional
hydraulic steering, EPS has the further advantage of not requiring any
energy when driving straight ahead without any movement of the steering
wheel. In practice, this saves up to one litre on every 400 kilometres
as compared with conventional hydraulic steering. Five- and six-gear
manual gearbox featured as standard. SMG or automatic transmission as
an option. The Z4 2.5i comes as standard with a five-speed manual
gearbox, the Z4 3.0i features six-speed manual transmission. Both
engines are available as an option with six-speed SMG. Featuring
shift-by-wire technology, SMG allows the driver to shift gears either
with the conventional shift lever or by means of two paddles on the
steering wheel, enabling him to concentrate full on the actual process
of motoring. SMG appeals in particular to the sporting and ambitious
driver, allowing him to shift gears in just 0.15 seconds and conducting
the operation time and again with utmost precision, since the driver is
not required to press or release the clutch. The suspension: handling
at its best. The superior dynamics, agility and sportiness of the Z4 are
also the result of the very stiff bodyshell and the supreme suspension.
Whilst the latter has been carried over in its basic configuration from
the 3 Series, the suspension has been modified in its set-up, focusing
on even more dynamic handling than, say, the suspension of the 3 Series
coupé. As the starting point, the perfect balance of weight on
the two axles provides all the ingredients for harmonious behaviour on
the road. A further factor is rear-wheel drive offering decisive
benefits particularly in a sports car; for example by keeping the
steering absolutely free of drive forces, ensuring superb steering
precision and providing absolutely clear feedback. DSC with DTC: even
safer driving pleasure all the way to the limit. The BMW Z4 comes as
standard with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), even though the
suspension of this outstanding roadster offers safety reserves so
sufficient that this safety system is only required in really dangerous
situations and not as some kind of enhancement for the suspension. A
further important point is that the new DTC (Dynamic Traction Control)
allows the driver of the Z4 to adjust DSC even more individually to his
personal dynamic driving requirements: At the touch of a button, DTC
provides an increase in slip on the rear wheels geared to actual
driving conditions. Fitted with DTC, the Z4 offers the same agility as
a sports car featuring a 'classic' limited-slip differential, without
forfeiting the usual DSC functions under extreme conditions. The
bodyshell: extra-strong and extra-light all in one. The Z4 was designed
from the outset as a genuine roadster. And this you will feel from the
start, torsional stiffness of 14,500 Nm/degree exceeding the torsional
stiffness of the former Z3 (5,600 Nm/degree) more than twice. Never
before has a convertible or roadster offered torsional stiffness of this
standard brilliantly solving the conflict of interests between
saloon-like smoothness and vibration control, on the one hand, and a
dynamic, sporting suspension set-up, on the other. Passive safety:
interacting protection systems. Quite literally, the backbone for the
high standard of passive safety offered to the driver and passenger is
the extremely stable body structure using high-strength steel wherever
appropriate. The A-pillars form a rollbar at the front supplemented by
two steel rollbars behind the seats. The driver and passenger are
protect-ed in the Z4 by four airbags fitted as standard. The airbags
are masterminded by the new Advanced Safety Electronics (ASE)
incorporating lightwave conductors for the first time and allowing BMW
to once again set the standard in safety technology. No more dangerous
stops: runflat tyres featured as standard. The Z4 is fitted as standard
with runflat tyres avoiding the risk of forcing the driver to stop
somewhere on the road: Even after a puncture, the driver is generally
able to proceed to a service station without having to stop his car at
a dangerous spot on the road and change the wheel. A further advantage
is that all control systems remain fully functional even in the case of
a breakdown. These runflat tyres are monitored by an air pressure
warning system featured as standard, quickly recognising changes in air
pressure in one or several tyres by checking out the speed of rotation
and giving the driver an optical warning. Optional extras: From
bi-xenon headlights all the way to the navigation system. The BMW Z4 is
available with a whole range of optional extras. Examples are bi-xenon
headlights (standard on the 3.0-litre, optional on the 2.5) as well as
ISOFIX fastening points for child seats, with the seats themselves being
available as accessories. The top-end HiFi audio system (standard on the
Z4 3.0 and optional on the Z4 2.5) even introduces carver technology
into the automobile, a special technical system generating extremely
high sound pressure from the volume available. The big advantage of
carver technology is that it uses the existing, combined volume of the
right- and left-hand sub-woofers to generate an extremely high level of
sound pressure. This is made possible by combining a woofer with a
powerful terminal stage featuring not only the requisite output of 30V
but also an appropriate signal processor in order to protect the
loudspeaker from destroying itself. The layout of the system is the
same as with the well known HiFi loudspeaker units, but with a digital
10-channel audio amplifier inco rporating a sound processor and 100 W
output on the sub-woofers in the rear bulkhead. Total wattage of the
whole system is 430 W. The optional navigation system integrated in the
instrument panel uses DVD data for the first time in a BMW, this very
dense memory system allowing a longer geographic range (a memory with
sufficient density for enormous geographic coverage - the whole of
Europe fits on one single DVD). The Professional navigation system
comes additionally with a retracting colour monitor excellent to read
thanks to the latest display technology. Both navigation systems may be
combined with a firmly installed telephone also available as an option.
Bluetooth cellphone preparation is naturally also available as an
optional extra.

1. The New BMW Z4. 2. Specifics. 3. Production of the New BMW Z4. 4.
Specifications. 5. Exterior and Interior Dimensions. 6. Output and
Torque Diagrams. The BMW Z4 certainly means business: This is exactly
what a BMW roadster must look like, this is exactly how it must drive.
The Z4 is a breathtaking experience on the road appealing to all your
senses as a purist automobile for the connoisseur. It not only
represents one side of BMW's new design language, but also sets new
roadster standards in many areas: Self-confident, powerful, sporting
and aesthetic, the Z4 offers extremely precise and safe handling
ensuring driving pleasure of the most supreme calibre beyond comparison
in the market. BMW's new two-seater is making its debut as the Z4
3.0i with a 170 kW powerful straight-six and as the Z4 2.5i featuring a
141 kW straight-six. Design: unique proportions in an interplay of
different shapes. Through its proportions alone, the Z4 is a truly
remarkable car: The long, sleek and stretched-out engine compartment,
the snug cockpit wrapped around the driver and passenger, and the
short, muscular rear end - there is hardly any other roadster these
days with comparable dimensions. A wheelbase measuring 2,495
millimetres and overall width of 1,781 millimetres set a new standard in
this class, while the overall length of 4,091 millimetres is both
sporting and compact. The result is a genuine athlete resting firmly on
the road with short overhangs front and rear - without a single gram of
fat! The Z4 has two waistlines. The lower waistline extends from the
engine compartment lid across the door, first moving down and then up
again towards the rear. This creates an impression of powerful
self-confidence and at the same time is reminiscent of the classic,
door-less roadster of the past, giving this two-seater its unmistakable
character. The upper waistline, by contrast, extends in a powerful arch
from the beginning of the compartment lid all the way to the rear. And
the door line extending upwards to the rear at a slight angle is
equally exciting and fascinating in its look. This design is truly
special: Particularly striking features are the surfaces, edges,
rounded corners and drawn-in areas - clearly visible and interacting
among themselves, creating a rapid interplay of concave and convex
design. The result is exceptional lines, shadows and reflections, again
emphasizing the particular proportions of the BMW Z4. The interior:
tailor-made for a sporting experience. Getting into the Z4, you will
realise right away that this two-seater is a truly modern roadster: The
two doors extending far to the back, as well as the low entry cut-outs,
do not require the driver or passenger to undergo any kind of
contortion to climb aboard. And once you are in your seat, you will
enjoy your ideal roadster position, sitting down very low and far to
the rear, behind the car's centre of gravity and point of rotation.
This ensures direct perception of all vehicle movements and,
particularly in tight bends, makes for a very special experience on the
road. The seats themselves are both comfortable and ergonomic in
design. Offering very good side support, they can be set to many
different positions, the extremely wide range of adjustments together
with significant headroom allowing even very tall and short drivers to
find their ideal seating position. For further convenience, the
steering column may be adjusted for both reach and angle, whilst the
height-adjustable headrests feature a new kind of absorption foam
significantly reducing the risk of injury particularly in a collision
from behind. The exterior design of the BMW Z4 continues throughout
the interior of the car, the driver enjoying classic roadster design of
the highest standard: straightforward, clear, modern and elegant, just
right for driving with the roof down. The instrument panel is curved
towards the inside, the centre console is shaped like a letter T facing
towards the instrument panel. The speedometer and rev counter are the
dominating instruments on the dashboard. Paying homage to classic
roadsters of yesteryear, the tube-like instrument covers prevent any
reflection of the instruments in the windscreen. The on-board computer
LCD display is integrated in the speedometer; the fuel gauge and water
temperature gauge are in the rev counter. The gear indicator (on models
with automatic transmission) and the telltales are arranged between the
two instruments, the heating and air conditioning are controlled by
rotary knobs in the instrument panel above the centre console. One
level higher up you will then find the controls for the radio or,
respectively, the HiFi system. The Z4 offers its passengers lots of
convenient space: a glove compartment, two built-in pockets in the
doors, and a box with a capacity of approximately ten litres in the
rear bulkhead between the seats. The cover on top is locked together
with the central locking; the opening mechanism is hydraulically
dampened. A small storage box beneath the handbrake lever is very
convenient for coins required when parking or other small odds and
ends. And last but certainly not least, two cupholders are available as
an option, folding out beneath the side ventilation nozzles in the
einstrument panel and readily adjusting to cups or cans varying in
size. To ensure optimum use of the luggage compartment with the roof
closed, the BMW Z4 comes with a variable roof storage compartment. Like
on the 3 Series convertible, the roof compartment made of a special
synthetic material can be disconnected and folded up like a box -
again, a unique feature in this class increasing luggage compartment
capacity in this case from 240 to 260 litres (which is enough space for
two golf bags or four crates of bottles). To prevent damage to the roof
or the luggage, a safety switch on the electrohydraulic roof stops the
roof cover from being opened when the roof box is folded up.