A roadster with character and sporting flair: The new BMW Z4.
Munich. The interplay of classical proportions and
state-of-the-art technology defines the unmistakable character of the
BMW Z4 – and now an updated version of the Roadster is ready for
action, armed with a raft of additional powertrain and equipment
innovations. The new BMW Z4 represents a time-honoured and yet
alluringly contemporary interpretation of the traditional roadster
concept. New exterior features, detailed interior refinements, the new
Design Pure Traction equipment package, the new entry-level sDrive18i
model and the latest additions to the range of BMW ConnectedDrive
features all provide fresh impetus and lend the BMW Roadster even
greater appeal and individuality.
The new BMW Z4 takes to the stage 25 years after the legendary BMW
Z1. That Roadster turned heads when it was unveiled at the 1987
International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt – not only on account of
its revolutionary door concept, but also thanks to its agile and
precisely controllable handling. With the BMW Z1 began the latest
chapter in the history of BMW Roadsters – a tradition which stretches
back to the 1930s and reached the first of many high points with the
BMW 328 (winner of the 1940 Mille Miglia) and BMW 507 from 1955. The
BMW Z3 and BMW Z8 triggered a fresh wave of excitement for the
classical open-top two-seater concept in the 1990s. And they also
paved the way for the first-generation BMW Z4 and its successor, the
brand’s first Roadster fitted with a retractable hardtop roof.
Design: classical proportions infused with modern character.
The success of modern-day BMW Roadsters is rooted in the rigorous
execution of a concept, a process which has left its mark on both the
design and the driving properties of each car and is clearly
recognisable in the new BMW Z4. The sweeping bonnet, long wheelbase,
low beltline and low-slung rear end play a more vivid and
uncompromising part in shaping its appearance than is evident with any
of its segment rivals. The low seating position just ahead of the rear
axle gives the driver and passenger a particularly intense experience
of the longitudinal and lateral forces working on the rear wheels.
This sense of being “part of the car” also allows the driver to grade
the amount of power he’s feeding through the rear axle with
sensitivity and precision. That’s the recipe for roadster feeling, BMW-style.
The hardtop roof also blends seamlessly into the car’s form. As it
closes, it seals a smoothly flowing roofline, while large window
surfaces optimise all-round visibility and the feeling of space inside
the car. Once opened, the two roof elements are accommodated, one on
top of the other, in a compact package inside the Roadster’s
road-hugging rear. The A-pillars – painted an understated black – also
underline the low-slung silhouette of the new BMW Z4, especially when
the roof is open. The optional BMW Individual hardtop – available in
the two contrast colours Black non-metallic and Titanium Silver
metallic – provides a feast for the eyes when the roof is closed. The
hardtop can be opened at the touch of a button while the car is moving
at up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in an automated process lasting 19 seconds.
The distinctive twin circular headlights team up with the broad BMW
kidney grille to form a roadster-specific interpretation of the
brand’s signature front-end look. The standard bi-xenon headlights of
the new BMW Z4 have an extremely slim design and extend well into the
front wheel arches. They feature LED light rings which emit daytime
driving light in the brand’s hallmark style. Added to which, the light
sources now have a strikingly three-dimensional design which
accentuates the intricate technology of the headlights. Cutting across
the tops of the headlights are LED accent lights, whose metal insert
bears BMW lettering. The integrated turn signal indicators have
chrome-coloured surrounds, which lend further emphasis to the
sophisticated character of the light units. Plus, a newly designed,
tapered surround for the side indicators adds a dynamic sweep to the
gills on the front side sections of the car.
Striking touches: new paint finishes, Design Pure Traction
equipment package, additional light-alloy wheels and the M Sport
package.
A total of 11 external paint finishes are available for the new BMW
Z4, including the new Mineral Grey metallic, Glacier Silver metallic
and Valencia Orange metallic, which can only be ordered together with
the Design Pure Traction option. This new equipment package lends the
Roadster an extremely lively aura; the interior, for example, boasts
an energy-charged contrast of black and orange. The bespoke Alcantara
door panel trim, like the lower section of the instrument panel, comes
in orange. The black leather seats have contrast stitching in Valencia
Orange and an accent stripe running down the central section of the
backrests and seat cushions. This stripe is likewise orange and is
flanked by two thin white lines. The door panel trim and lower section
of the instrument panel can also be specified in black as an option.
Another exclusive element of the Design Pure Traction package is the
metal weave trim strip, which can be combined with further decorative
elements in high-gloss black for the door openers and the gearshift or
selector lever. This new equipment package replaces the previously
available Design Pure Impulse and is also available in combination
with other exterior paint colours as an option.
New interior additions to standard specification include high-gloss
black surrounds for the central air vents and the iDrive control
system’s folding Control Display, which comes as part of the optional
Professional navigation system. Elsewhere, exquisite Fineline
Anthracite wood has been added to the selection of interior trim
strips available as an option for the new BMW Z4. The BMW Z4
sDrive28i, BMW Z4 sDrive35i and BMW Z4 sDrive35is are offered with
Kansas leather trim, which is available as an option for the two other models.
New variants have been added to the range of optional light-alloy
wheels as well, including newly designed 17-inch and 18-inch wheels in
V-spoke design, both of which will be combined with mixed tyres.
The engaging character of the Roadster as a driver’s tool is given
particular emphasis by the likewise optional M Sport package, which
contributes M Sport suspension, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels and an M
aerodynamics package with large air intakes in the front wing and a
rear bumper inlay painted Anthracite metallic. Bringing an extra dose
of sporting flair into the interior, meanwhile, are features such as
sports seats, an M leather steering wheel, M driver’s footrest, M door
sill finishers and an anthracite-coloured roof liner. The Aluminium
Carbon trim strip, leather M gear lever knob and grey dials for the
instrument cluster lend the finishing touches to the interior
ambience. The new BMW Z4 sDrive35is comes as standard with a
model-specific version of the M Sport package.
Engines: BMW TwinPower Turbo technology at five output levels.
The BMW Z4 will be available with a larger, five-strong line-up of
petrol engines from launch, and customers will be able to choose from
three four-cylinder and two six-cylinder powerplants. Their most
significant shared feature is BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which
ensures an exceptionally effective balance between driving pleasure
and fuel consumption throughout the output range. All variants of the
new BMW Z4 already meet – as standard – the stipulations of the EU6
exhaust emissions standard due to come into force in 2014.
The BMW Z4 sDrive18i takes to the stage as the new entry-level model.
It is powered by a 2.0-litre engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo
technology which develops maximum output of 115 kW/156 hp at 5,000
rpm. The new variant of the four-cylinder unit delivers peak torque of
240 Newton metres (177 lb-ft) between 1,250 and 4,400 rpm. The BMW Z4
sDrive18i is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, but
an eight-speed sports automatic can also be ordered as an option. The
new model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds
(automatic: 8.1 seconds) and hits a top speed of 221 km/h / 137 mph
(220 km/h / 136.5 mph). Average fuel consumption for the BMW Z4
sDrive18i in the EU test cycle is 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres (41.5
mpg imp) with both the manual and automatic gearbox. CO2 emissions
stand at 159 grams per kilometre.
The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package for the new BMW Z4
sDrive18i includes twin-scroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct
Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and
Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft control. An identical
version of this technology package is also used in the engines –
likewise 2.0-litre units – under the bonnet of the BMW Z4 sDrive20i
and BMW Z4 sDrive28i. These engines can also be ordered with an
eight-speed sports automatic gearbox with shift paddles on the
steering wheel as an alternative to the standard-fitted six-speed
manual. The automatic has been optimised to deliver even better
acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph).
The existing engine variants – the sDrive20i, sDrive28i, sDrive35i
and sDrive35is – retain their places in the range.
Extensive comfort-enhancing equipment.
The new BMW Z4 delivers the driving pleasure customers have come to
expect from the brand, fulfilling the desire for both sporting ability
and comfort. Drivers can use the standard-fitted Driving Experience
Control switch to select a configuration to suit the situation at hand
and satisfy personal preferences. COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes can
all be called up using the rocker switch on the centre console. As
well as adjusting the responses of the engine and DSC stability
system, the different modes also alter the shift characteristics of
the automatic gearbox, the responses of the Servotronic function and
the mapping of the electronically controlled dampers, if these items
are specified. These modes allow the driver to choose from a selection
of distinctive and clearly differentiated set-ups for the car.
Other items of equipment fitted as standard are xenon headlights, air
conditioning, a heated glass rear window, the Soft Close Automatic
function for the boot lid and runflat tyres with a run-flat indicator.
The BMW Business radio – including CD player, AUX-IN socket and six
loudspeakers – is a standard feature in all the variants of the
Roadster, while customers can also choose from options including the
BMW Professional radio and the Professional hi-fi-system with 14
loudspeakers. The similarly optional Professional navigation system
enables high-resolution map graphics – complete with 3D view – on the
8.8-inch iDrive monitor. The navigation data for the system is stored
on an in-car hard disk, which also provides 12 GB of capacity for
personal music collections.
The range of driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW
ConnectedDrive has also expanded once again. The new BMW Z4 can be
equipped with features such as a rain sensor, Adaptive Headlights and
High Beam Assistant. Cruise control with braking function and Park
Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear of the car are
also available. If the Professional navigation system is specified,
the ConnectedDrive Services option allows use of internet-based
information and entertainment services inside the car. This system
must be fitted to enable access to the BMW Online portal and apps
using the Control Display and iDrive Controller. The Real Time Traffic
Information function is also on hand, supplying the driver with
congestion warnings and diversion recommendations in real time. Apple
iPhone owners can use BMW apps, for example, to receive web radio
stations, display Facebook and Twitter posts on the monitor and ask
for them to be read out. The range of BMW ConnectedDrive features
available for the new BMW Z4 also includes BMW TeleServices, BMW
Remote Services, Concierge Services and Intelligent Emergency Call
with automatic vehicle location and accident severity detection.
The market launch of the new BMW Z4 is scheduled for March 2013.
For further questions please contact:
Corporate Communications
Christophe Koenig, Product Communications BMW Automobiles
Phone: +49-89-382-56097, Fax: +49-89-382-20626
Ralph Huber, Head of Product Communications BMW Automobiles
Phone: +49-89-382-68778, Fax: +49-89-382-20626
E-Mail: presse@bmw.de
Internet:
www.press.bmwgroup.de
The BMW Group
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of
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