A Z4 roadster for all seasons

GERMAN automobile manufacturer Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or better known as BMW will be unveiling the latest incarnation of the Z4 in mid-January at the 2009 Detroit Autoshow. The newest aspect of the car will be its retractable folding hard top which BMW had successfully introduced with the BMW 3 series and 1 series coupes.

Whilst the latest edition of the Z4 will continue on the work that BMW has done with the first generation Z4, the 2009 model will be looking to win more fans with some added refinement, considered to be lacking in the older Z4.

Style lines for the latest version of BMWs roadster are clearly inherited from the early Z4 model, maintaining the long hood and tidy rear overhangs. The car has also grown longer by several inches. A shade under six inches to be exact. However the new Z4's wheelbase has only grown by a tenth of an inch.

Not only is it likely that the car will remain to be a sweet handling machine with great poise, but the new list of engines will ensure BMWs sporting character will remain undiminished regardless of which powerplant will be providing the thrills for driver and passenger alike.

For the first time, the Z4 can be purchased with the same twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that has created a storm in the 1, 3 and 5 Series. The powerplant will provide plenty of useable torque from low down in the rev range and the 300 horsepower will mean that the Z4 will not have any problems hitting the governed speed limit of 155mph in most BMWs.

The Z4 performed admirably against its contemporaries, the Mercedes SLK, Audi's TT roadster and Porsche Boxster being its main rivals, with Nissan's 350Z roadster and Mazda's MX-5 being out of the box choices for those deciding on open-top roadsters. For many, the Z4 and Boxster were clear cut winners in a hotly contested segment, and now the Z4 looks to have moved the game on from its rivals with the addition of its folding hard top.

Going with a retractable aluminum hardtop, the BMW could possibly be taking potential customers away from Mercedes Benz. The new Z4 is capable of raising and lowering the roof automatically in 20 seconds. Like other versions of this hardtop, it can be stowed in the trunk. While Mercedes can boast about having theirs on the SLK since day one, their SLK has often been touted as a cruiser than a serious performer for the enthusiast.

The new Z4 is hoped to capture the imagination of those who have always wished to dabble in roofless driving, but never wanted to put up with the impractical foibles of having a convertible; something that Mercedes Benz's SLK and SL have had the upper hand when it came to members of the public interested in the luxury roadster brigade. Now with a new interior revamp that is sure to win over those who shunned the previous Z4's somewhat spartan interior, BMW have really shown that they mean business.

At the launch, BMW will be offering both versions of the Z4 with a standard 6 speed gear box. However, a six speed dual clutch automatic can be specified for the Z4 sDrive30i, which has an inline six cylinder engine. Meanwhile the Z4 sDrive35i with the twin turbo inline six can be ordered with a new seven-speed twin-clutch box. What this means for those who do opt for the dual clutch transmissions are paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

Dynamic Drive Control will also be standard fare for the Z4 models, which will enable the driver to choose among three driveline and suspension settings at the touch of a button, the electromechanical power steering and dynamic stability control. For those who are looking for some spirited driving, an extra-cost option is the Adaptive M Suspension with Electronic Damping Control, which comes as part of an optional Sport Package.

Fitting the Z4 sDrive35i car with the sport package, the top of the range Z4 (until BMW unveils a new Z4M) will sprint to 100km/h in five seconds flat. A figure which 10 to 15 years ago would have meant that you would be going for performance cars like the Porsche 911 and Ferrari.

For the most part, the Z4 is another great example of BMW's daring designs. It seems BMW will have achieved its target in producing a roadster for all seasons, come rain or shine, the all new Z4 looks like it will be one that takes it all in its stride.

The Brunei Times