Ever since BMW unveiled the new 2009 Z4 at the Detroit Auto Show last January, the automaker has been scrupulous about not referring to it as a sports car. Instead the Z4 is the latest generation BMW Roadster. BMW's roadster heritage dates back to the 1930s but this is the third generation of the modern drop top two seaters that began with the Z3 in the early 90s. Like the last transition that saw the Z3 become the Z4, this one has grown and become more sophisticated than its predecessor.
That means it is both more feature rich and heavier than before. The most significant change is the adoption of a retractable hard top for the first replacing the soft top of previous models. The Z4 is the second BMW following the 3-series to go down this path and as with most other examples the two-seater is far more visually appealing. The new Z4 is also more aesthetically pleasing in other ways was well. To learn more about the Z4 including whether it lives up to its tag-line "an expression of joy" continue reading after the jump.
The last generation Z4 along with the previous 7-Series were among the most controversial BMW designs ever. After the rounded and somewhat retro styling the Z3, the Z4's "flame" surfacing certainly got attention. The overall proportions were right for a roadster with the long hood and short rear deck but the strangely angled creases in the bodywork left many observers cold. This time around, the BMW design team has again given the Z4 creases and edges but the layout is more classical in appearance.
Rather than the seemingly incongruous mix of lines intended to grab the light and scatter it, the new Z4 gives an effect that is more like a well-toned muscular body. The new body rides on the same 98.3 inch wheelbase as the old car but stretches 5 inches longer from bumper to bumper. Much of that extra length is in the rear. That space was required to accommodate the new folding hardtop. Of the other cars on themarket with retracting roofs, two seaters like the Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SL still look good. Because of the extra roof length required to cover four seats, such convertibles tend to have rear decks that end up looking out of proportion.
Despite the aesthetic and mechanical challenges that a retractable hard-top brings it does offer some advantages. Compared to a soft-top, the solid roof allows for a quieter environment inside the cockpit especially at higher speeds thanks to the absence of flapping fabric. The hard top also tends to seal better helping to resist leaks when it rains. Another up-side to the hard-top is better visibility to the rear quarters thanks to narrower pillars.
However, the real reason to buy any convertible is to put the top down and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. As soon as the clouds part, you just have to hold down a button at the leading edge of the center console for about 15 seconds. When you do that a mechanical dance begins that results in the rear segment of the roof moving up over the top section, the rear deck opening up and the whole thing disappearing. No latches to mess with and no need for getting out the car.
Another reason not to get out of the Z4 is the very inviting cockpit. The car we drove had an interior trimmed out in ivory white nappa leather and brushed aluminum. Even though BMW never refers to this as a sports car, it has some serious performance capability. Therefore the seats need to be up to the task of keeping the driver in place when the road gets curvy. The optional sport seats like the one our test car was equipped with offer 10-way manual adjustments along with power adjustable side bolsters. Those side bolsters are substantial and firm enough to allow you to drive aggressively while being comfortable on a road trip.
One of the technical changes to the new model is the adoption of an electric parking brake. A toggle on the center console that looks much like an enlarged version of a power window switch frees up the space formerly taken by the mechanical brake lever. A large leather covered armrest now sits under the driver's right shoulder and has a storage bin available underneath.
Under that extended hood you'll find a pair of 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engines, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. The top-level turbo engine bumps the power up to 300 hp at 5,800 rpm along with a substantial 300 lb-ft of torque at just 1,400 rpm. All that low end torque combined with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission allows for leisurely driving around town in traffic without wearing out your left leg. The transmission can operate in fully automatic mode with smooth seamless shifts. While commuting in a Z4 is a pleasurable experience, true joy in a roadster comes from the open road.
Once you break free of the masses in town and head out into the countryside, the Z4 becomes a real driver's car. The car we drove was equipped with the optional Sport package with the adaptive M suspension. In normal or comfort mode, the adaptive dampers give a comfortable ride. Switch over to sport mode and the dampers tighten up while the stability control loosens up a bit allowing the car to slide a bit more before it intervenes. When the stability control does come to the rescue it does so without jerking the car around.
With the seats set back to the rear axle you can readily feel the car drifting around corners as you approach the limits of adhesion. The Z4 may not be as hard edged as a sports car like the Porsche Boxster, but it is a lot of fun to drive and very forgiving at the limit. The paddle shifters allow the driver to select exactly the desired gear without ever worrying about a missed shift, so you can feel just like a BMW F1 driver.
On a warm, sunny morning in southern California, blasting down Mulholland highway in a Z4 truly is a joyful experience. The base price of the new Z4 now starts at $46,575, an increase of $3,400 over the 2008 model although it does include a lot of new equipment including the hard top. The turbocharged sDrive35i starts off at $52,475 which is $400 less than the previous Z4 M model which is no longer available. As equipped the car we drove came to $58,500. The new Z4 is on sale at BMW dealers across the US this week.
source: luxist
