Monday 15th December 2008

New BMW Z4

Significant changes to BMW roadster include folding hardtop

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BMW has unveiled an all-new version of the Z4 which features new curves, a folding hardtop and more electronic trickery to help drivers customise the setup.

The new goodies include Adaptive 'M' suspension, meaning electronically controlled dampers with three different settings and ride height adjustment.

The car now also features 'Drive Dynamic Control', a software suite allowing for adjustment of various other bits, including throttle and steering response, ride comfort level and DSC (dynamic stability control) level.

On sequential double-clutch Z4s you'll also be able to adjust gearshift times, which we think is a really welcome feature on a double-clutch 'box.

The main changes to the Z4 are aesthetic. The body gets a makeover more in-line with the current BMW line-up, featuring another variation of the new family nose. At the rear there is more than a hint of 6 Series.

The new Z4 is 148mm longer than the outgoing version at 4,239mm, and 9mm wider at 1,790mm. This allows for a modest increase in headroom and boot capacity, though with the new hardtop down boot space is of course more restricted.

The two-piece electro-hydraulically operated roof can be rasied or lowered in 20 seconds, and doesn't seem to harm the car's lines too much when erected.

Engine line-up also changes slightly, with the demise of the old 2.0-litre option. Three six-cylinder powerplants are now offered: a 2.5-litre with 204bhp, a 3.0-litre with 258bhp and a flagship twin-turbo 3.0-litre powerplant pumping out 306bhp. The range-topper will apparently hit 60mph in just over five seconds, which is pretty impressive considering that BMW also claim it'll do 30mpg.

Prices will be announced closer to when the revised Z4 goes on sale in May of 2009, but you can watch an official video of it below.

 

[carsnapper]

Nice roof...

I never thought i'd ever say this...but I actually prefer Bangle's effort!

Take cover!

[cmronin]

i like it

[_Neal_]

I agree with you - Bangle's effort is nicer, far more interesting. The "Boxster-alike" rear end in particular looks a bit poor.

[Petee]

Agreed - prefer the current one - got more individuality to it.

rear end of the new one looks like a Merc SLK - and that's not a good thing...

[LooseCannon]

[quote=Petee]Agreed - prefer the current one - got more individuality to it.quote]

+1; the current car was about the only Bangle jobby that actually worked - if anything the rear on this looks like it's gone back to the Z3

[henrycrun]

and where do you put your luggage ?

[tomTVR]

Its ok but prefer the first Z4. Bet the twin turbo version goes well though with a bit of tuning!

[VladD]

I think this is a vast improvement over the current model. The front is far more agressive, though I'm still not 100% sure about it. I don't like the way the bonnet is still rising as it goes over the front arches. It's given the front a bit of a bulbous nose, but I guess that's down to the current regulations on pedestrian catching.

Much improved though, well done.

[davidcharles]

looks like any old 3 series, 5 series BMW from the front.......

[motorheadmadness]

it looks like a much bigger car than the current Z4. It now looks more like the size of a crossfire or 350Z, not a similar size to an MX5. I like the design of the folding roof but surely it adds quite a lot of weight to it. overall I prefer the current one but the new front end does look better.

[izz4mc]

Oh dear...that does not look very good to me at all...what a wasted opportunity!

[annodomini2]

IMHO, I think the original is not much of a looker, to me this looks like a grandad mobile. fugly

[Olf]

With a lot of the modern BMW designs they don't actually resolve into something impressive until it's actually on the road and coming towards you. I think this car is going to have an awful lot of road presence and I think it looks pretty purposeful. I like it.

[turbosei]

Interior is a big improvement over just about any other BMW, although it's a shame to see the DCT has the old automatic paddles where you have to push to downshift. I understand some people like that, but if you can configure the shift times why can't you configure the way the paddles work?

Will be interesting to see what the pricing is like in the US and whether the BMW CCA will now allow it to run on track.

[f111lover]

I really hate to say it but the Z4 is turning into a good looking car.

[dele]

Yuck, do not want!

Just screams "I couldnt afford the 6-Series convertible" to me

Edited by dele on Monday 15th December 14:08

[mister.t]

I do like the current Z4, and I have to say I think this looks really quite nice!!

[northo]

carsnapper said:

Nice roof...

I never thought i'd ever say this...but I actually prefer Bangle's effort!

Take cover!

Ditto - just as I got used to the old one....

New one looks nice enough though.

[gumball3K]

Anyone knows why prices on BMW Z1 have been stable over the years compared with BMW Z3/Z4.

[eowen]

Like that. looks good.