BMW is unveiling an updated interpretation of the classical roadster concept. The new BMW Z4 is ready to steal the show as a premium open-top sports car boasting an emotion-packed body design, a fully-electric soft-top roof, compact proportions and a squarely driver-focused interior. Agility, dynamic performance and precise handling were all top priorities when developing the two-seater’s body, powertrain and chassis. The extremely high rigidity of the body structure and chassis mountings, the intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamic properties provided the ideal basis for meeting these objectives. The new design of the front and rear axles benefits not just the car’s sporty on-road prowess, but its ride comfort too. And the new BMW Z4 combines its pure sporting pedigree with a wealth of highly advanced, topclass equipment features on the driver assistance, operation and connectivity fronts.
Exterior design: a pure aesthetic wrapped in a new design language
A precise use of forms and a number of signature details form the defining features of the emotion-packed, pure-bred exterior design of the new BMW Z4. The combination of just a few lines and a clean-cut surface design create a very distinctive take on sporting appeal. A powerfully sculpted front apron with large air intakes, a low, broad BMW kidney grille and headlights positioned at the outer edges ensure there is no mistaking the car from the front. The new-look mesh-design BMW kidney grille combines a track-inspired honeycomb pattern with a three-dimensional structure, whose elements have a vertical arrangement reminiscent of traditional kidney grille bars. The headlight units are another first, with the two light sources positioned one above the other for the first time. The vertical design is cut off at the top by a diagonal accent strip with integral direction indicator. 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 characteristic of classical sports cars. The joins at the bonnet’s sides merge into the flanks’ upper character line, which runs back to the tail lights. A second character line emerges from the large Air Breathers behind the front wheel arches. This interplay of surfaces mimics the flow of air sweeping along the new Z4.
The boot lid’s harmoniously integrated spoiler and the slender, horizontally arranged light assemblies in the brand’s customary L-shape help to give the tail of the new BMW Z4 a wide, road-hugging appearance. The rear apron’s powerful look is further strengthened by the side surrounds and the exhaust tailpipes flanking the eye-catching diffuser.
Interior: keen driver focus and an aura of class
With its driver-focused cockpit design, lines that surge forward with dynamic élan and use of trim finishers restricted to just a few areas, the cabin of the new BMW Z4 is 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. The design of the door panels echoes the wingshaped contour visible externally in the car’s flanks, emphasising the harmony of the exterior and interior design.
Both driver and passenger settle into model-specific sports seats with integral head restraints. The BMW Z4 sDrive30i is upholstered in Vernasca leather as standard, available in a choice of Black, Ivory White, Cognac and Magma Red, each with coordinated contrast stitching and piping. Standard specification for the BMW Z4 M40i includes a leather and Alcantara interior with blue contrast stitching and blue piping. As an alternative to the standard Quartz Silver, the trim finishers can also be specified in High-gloss Black, Aluminium Mesh Effect or Aluminium Tetragon. The optional draught stop fits flush between the fixed rollover bars. The bars are finished in Aluminium satinated on Sport Line, High-gloss Black with the M Sport package and Cerium Grey on the BMW Z4 M40i. Specially designed door sill strips and trim finishers, a Sensatec instrument panel, and M sports seats with additional adjustment options can also be ordered for these model variants. The M Sport package and BMW M Performance model add an M leather steering wheel, M pedals and an M driver’s footrest.
With compact proportions, a low centre of gravity, low weight, perfect 50:50 weight distribution, a very rigid body and chassis structure, and optimised aerodynamic properties, the new BMW roadster comes with the ideal credentials for exhilarating, sporty performance. The requisite power is supplied by a choice of three petrol engines, each making their debut in the new BMW Z4 in their most recent incarnation. Assuming the role of rangetopper in the new BMW Z4 M40i is a further improved straight-six unit featuring M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology. Four-cylinder petrol engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and increased output take their place in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i and BMW Z4 sDrive20i models for the first time. The line-up of technology designed to boost both dynamism and efficiency includes a twin-scroll turbocharging system, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control. There is also a new generation of eight-speed Steptronic transmissions to handle the task of directing the engines’ power to the rear wheels.
The Z4’s chassis technology has been designed and tuned with a very clear objective in mind: to harness the engines’ zest and turn it into unbeatable driving pleasure. The agile handling and dynamic performance potential of the new BMW Z4 is down in no small part to the variable sport steering that comes as standard on all model variants, while the electronically controlled dampers, M Sport brakes and electronically controlled M Sport rear differential fitted on certain models make the car even nimbler on the road.
BMW M Performance model with straight-six engine
The roadster’s model line-up is spearheaded by a BMW M Performance version. The new BMW Z4 M40i conjures the power required for its breathtaking performance from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine, whose inherently instantaneous response, hearty appetite for revs and smoothness combine with improved efficiency and reduced emissions. The new power unit’s standout features include a water-cooled exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, sharper turbocharger response and superior acceleration, and direct injection technology which now works at increased maximum pressure of 350 bar. Drivers have a maximum output of 250 kW/340 hp at their disposal between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm, plus 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque can be summoned from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.
A ceaseless build-up of power enables the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.5 seconds. The new BMW Z4 M40i posts combined fuel consumption of 7.4 – 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres (38.2 – 39.8 mpg imp)*, equating to CO2 emissions of 168 – 162 grams per kilometre*. The straightsix engine now runs more cleanly, too, thanks to a system of emission control that comprises an enlarged, close-coupled catalytic converter and a gasoline particulate filter, and enables the new Z4 M40i to meet the extremely stringent Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard.
More power with lower emissions – the new four-cylinder engines
The choice of engines for the new BMW Z4 is rounded off by a pair of new four-cylinder units. Both have a capacity of 2.0 litres and likewise set new standards in terms of power delivery, efficiency and emissions. The output of both engines has been upped by 10 kW/13 hp over their predecessors. Their updated BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology packages include a High Precision Injection system whose maximum pressure has now been increased to 350 bar. And the four-cylinder variants of the new BMW Z4 likewise come complete with a gasoline particulate filter and comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard.
Eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with optimised efficiency
All model variants of the new BMW Z4 come equipped with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard. Besides a wider ratio spread, the latest version of the automatic transmission also offers even sportier gear shifts. The shorter ratios for the transmission’s lower gears are a boon for acceleration and the unit’s improved internal efficiency allows it to operate more effectively too. Plus, there are shift paddles on the steering wheel enabling manual gear selections. The transmission also features a Launch Control function for accelerating hard from a standing start with optimised traction. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission fitted in the BMW Z4 M40i has been configured with Mspecific shift characteristics very much in tune with the straight-six engine’s power delivery.
A personal sense of well-being: two-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, Harman Kardon surround sound system
The driver-focused cockpit design and clearly structured arrangement of the controls help drivers of the new BMW Z4 to concentrate on the main job at hand. The Start/Stop button for switching the engine on and off has been incorporated into the control panel on the centre console, whose harmoniously styled surface is also home to the shift lever or gear selector, the iDrive Controller, the Driving Experience Control switch, as well as the button for the Electric Parking Brake and the switch for the electrically operated soft-top roof. There is a further panel of buttons in the centre of the instrument panel for controlling the air conditioning system. The optional twozone automatic climate control allows the temperature and ventilation settings to be adjusted separately for the driver and passenger side. Automatically dimming and folding exterior mirrors are also available, as is Comfort Access. With this feature fitted, the soft-top can be operated using the car key.
Innovative systems to help drivers stay in lane, park and reverse
The highly advanced nature of the new BMW Z4 is further underlined by the class-leading variety of driver assistance systems on offer. Collision Warning and the Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function come as standard, as does the Lane Departure Warning system. The list of options includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, the Speed Limit Info system with No Passing Info display, distance information, the Lane Change Warning System, plus Rear Collision Prevention and Cross-Traffic Alert. Elsewhere, the BMW Head-Up Display, which projects driving-related information onto the windscreen and therefore straight into the driver’s field of view, is available for a roadster for the first time. The only system of its kind in this segment, it shows the driver the car’s speed in figures, along with status indicators from the driver assistance systems, route guidance instructions and lane recommendations from the navigation system, Check Control messages, and in-car entertainment details, such as the radio station or track title. Fullcolour graphics are used to convey the relevant information.
Always up to date thanks to Remote Software Upgrade
The Remote Software Upgrade feature keeps the new BMW Z4 up to date with the latest software. All updates can be imported over the air, either via the BMW Connected app on a smartphone or directly into the car using its built-in SIM card. Installation is every bit as simple as a smartphone update. The contents of the upgrades vary, from security and quality enhancements to new software services and improved vehicle functions. Customers can also select or deselect functions that have been added at a later date. This maximises flexibility while also saving customers a great deal of time, as they no longer need to pay a visit to the BMW Service Partner for updates.
Connected Navigation with new digital services
“Connected Navigation” encompasses a number of digital services designed to turn seamless and contextual route planning both inside and outside the BMW into an even more sophisticated experience. In future, drivers of the new BMW Z4 will be able to send destinations from various apps straight to their car’s navigation system. The most important destinations will be stored in BMW Connected and synchronised with the car, so that key addresses can be accessed from any device at any time. One particularly helpful new feature is the Parking Space Assistant, which proposes various parking options to the driver in good time before the destination is reached. This service includes providing information on the nearest multi-storey car park as well as proposing routes offering a particularly good chance of finding a parking spot close to the destination. The existing On-Street Parking Information and ParkNow services have been intelligently incorporated into the new assistant’s range of functions.
BMW Digital Key: turning a smartphone into a car key
The BMW Digital Key employs Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to allow the new BMW Z4 to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone, dispensing with the need for a conventional car key. The smartphone simply has to be held up to the door handle to open the vehicle and, once inside, the engine can be started as soon as it has been placed in the Wireless Charging or smartphone tray. Accessible via the BMW Connected app, the Digital Key offers unrivalled flexibility, as the driver can share it with up to five other people. The BMW Digital Key is available for all NFC-capable Samsung smartphones.
