BMW Z4 M Roadster
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BMW will make an M4 after all, as the UK arm has just announced. After denying that it would, BMW has been coerced into making an M version of its slow-selling Z4 roadster, presumably with the aim of adding a little lustre to the range and compete with cars such as the Porsche Boxster.
The Z4 M Roadster, as it's officially called, will output a meaty 343bhp from its 3.2-litre straight six, offering zero to 62mph acceleration of five seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.
The Detroit Auto Show in January 2006 will also see the launch of updates for the rest of the range. The new Z4 will feature a new engine line-up, new gearbox options, and styling tweaks.
The M Roadster gets BMW's award-winning straight-six three to four-litre champion delivers max power at a whizzy 7,900rpm and 269lb-ft of torque at 4,900rpm. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and BMW M’s variable M differential for improved traction, especially when accelerating out of bends.
The new Z4 M Roadster uses a hydraulic power assistance system, compared to the standard car which uses electromechanical steering. It also loses the much-maligned run-flat tyres which should provide improved cornering on poor surfaces. The brakes consist of the M division's floating compound braking system, the same as found in the BMW M3 CSL, resulting in a 62mph to zero stopping distance of just 34 metres, according to BMW's numbers.
It'll look different too. Changes at the front include the lower valance, larger air intakes and dual styling lines on the bonnet. From behind, it gets M-style quad-tailpipes and aerodynamic diffuser. It sits on double-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/45ZR18 tyres at the front and 255/40ZR18s (rear).
There are three new paint options: Sepang Bronze, Interlagos Blue and Imola Red. Inside, there's more leather than in the standard car, in black, red, bronze or brown, trimmed in aluminium, black carbon leather or walnut.
Standard Z4 Roadster updates
Topping the new range is the Z4 3.0si, featuring BMW’s magnesium alloy in-line six. Featuring Valvetronic valve lift and VANOS valve timing, the Z4 3.0si develops 265bhp at 6,600rpm and 232lb-ft of torque at 2,750rpm, propelling it to 62mph in 5.7 seconds. BMW reckoned it'll still crack 32mpg overall.
There'll be a pair of 2.5-litre sixes, the 2.5si and 2.5i, with the 2.5i delivering some 20 per cent less power and 10 per cent less torque than the 2.5si's 218hp and 184lb-ft of torque, and a sprint time to 62mph of 6.5 seconds.
The only engine carried over from the out-going range is the four-cylinder Z4 2.0i launched in April 2005. The two-litre mill delivers 150bhp at 6,200rpm and 148lb-ft of torque at 3,600rpm, with performance of 8.2 seconds for the dash to 62mph.
All new Z4 models come as standard with a six-speed gearbox, although buyers of the 2.5si and 3.0si can specify a six-speed, paddle-shifted auto box.
Sports pack options add 18-inch M double spoke or optional composite alloy wheel, leather-clad M Sports seats, three-spoke M leather steering wheel and M Sports suspension.
External changes are few and subtle. The shoulder line now extends all the way to the front air dam rather than stopping at the bonnet edge, a wider air intake dominates the lower valance and the kidney grille being more inset. The headlights have been re-designed and now include corona light rings -- angel eyes -- as standard on all cars specified with xenon lamps (standard on the M Roadster).
From the side, US-style side reflectors are integrated into the front wheel arches that also house new alloy wheel designs.
From the rear, the tail lamps now feature Z8-style horizontal light conductor rods and vary in brightness according to the braking force applied.