BMW releases Z4 M roadster
M version forced by slow sales and tough competition
   BMW Z4 M Roadster |
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.
M Roadster details
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
Engines
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.
Transmission
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.
Sport models
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.
Design tweaks
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.
where's the new //M Coupe?www.oceanlight.com/html/whale_shark.html
ScottBN3 said:Oh, I don't know... looks more like a 407 Coupe to me!
Apparently the Z4 was inspired by the middle image on the top row of this page:
www.oceanlight.com/html/whale_shar
To paraphrase the saying ....
If it looks like a (lame) duck, sounds like a (lame) duck and goes like a (lame) duck, it probably is a (lame) duck.
They should kill it really, or at least completely re-skin it.
All of this written by a life-long BMW fan.
>> Edited by vinceh on Wednesday 26th October 14:46
_VTEC_ said:
I quite like this. It blatantly possesses all the right bits. - Slip-diff, S54 engine, manual, sans run-flats, hydraulic steering, CSL brakes. What's everyone moaning about?
I agree VTEC, its the best Z4 yet (obviously!) and they've addressed the cars major weaknesses, creating a pretty compelling package.
And I've always admired the cars unique and challenging looks.
I like it very much indeed!
Name me another good front engined, RWD, two seater, high performance convertible sports car < 50k that goes like stink (and is likely to clock up > 30,000 miles without an engine rebuild or three)
>> Edited by Merefield on Wednesday 26th October 19:51
I don't want a mass market car that still pretends to be 'special' - Summit
There are some superb buys to be had on low mileage second hand cars. If the Z4 pitched 10% cheaper i think it would sell well.
summit7 said:
VTEC - people are complaining because the design is a mess of lines and slashes and cutouts without any overall structure and purpose. From the driving/mechanics point of view I think people feel BMW have just put together out of the parts bin things that BMW feel will appeal to PH people without getting to core values. I used to own a Z3M coupe which was stripped out and focussed I loved it. This somehow with 20BHP more, more weight, unresolved styling and 6 years later has not moved the game on for BMW and is not right.
OK, I admit, it's not really a looker. But I recon this car might have some substance to it. BMW are usually very good at responding to criticsm, and the Z4 has had a bit of a pasting for ride quality and other things.
Alpina made a good hash of the Z4, I don't see why BMW can't do the same, or better.
Although we're all just prophesying until EVO do a proper test.
MINGING.............................
They may have put in a decent engine (finally), but if BMW continue to churn out quite possibly the ugliest cars in the world (in fact the only decent looking ones in a long lign-up are the X5 and 3 series convertible (outgoing model)) then they will unsurprisingly find them slow to shift. Not rocket science really. I don't really like porkers, but as you can basically have a boxter S for the same money, why would anyone in their right mind go for the beemer over that.
No-ones going to want to shell out 40-60k for cars that might drive OK but that's about it, and as TOPGEAR magazine puts it: "didn't peter wheeler's dog recently beat chris bangle in a design competition!!!!!"
Nuff said....
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