BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both roadster and coupe forms. When debuted, it won Automobile Magazine "Design of the Year Award". Starting with the 2009 model year, the second-generation Z4 is built at BMW's Regensburg, Germany plant as a retractable hardtop roadster. In 2009, the BMW Z4 won the Red Dot Design Award.

First generation (E85)

The first-generation BMW Z4 was designated the E85 in roadster form and E86 in coupé form. It was designed by Danish BMW-designer Anders Warming.

From 2003 the Z4 Roadster is available as a 3.0i (3.0 L I6 with 231 hp), a 3.0si available with the new generation 3.0 L I6 with 265 hp (198 kW), a 2.5si with a 2.5 I6 with 218 bhp (163 kW; 221 PS), a 2.2i with a straight-6 170 bhp (127 kW; 172 PS) engine, or a 2.0i with a 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS) 2.0 L I4. The Z4 coupé is available only in the high-performance 3.0si trim powered by the 3.0 L 255 hp (190 kW) I6. The Z4 (E85 Roadster/E86 Coupe) was built at the Greer plant.

2004

Little was new for the 2004 model year.

• The 2.5i got 16-inch wheels, the 3.0i received 17-inch wheels.
• An optional Sport Package included a sport suspension, plus increased wheel size to 17 inches on the 2.5i, or 18 inches on the 3.0i.
• A Dynamic Driving Control console button was added that quickened throttle action and reduced power-steering assist.
• Leather upholstery was standard in the 3.0i and optional for the 2.5i.
• Xenon headlamps were optional on both models.
• A removable hardtop and a wind deflector were dealer-installed options.

2005

• The Sequential Manual Gearbox remained available on the 3.0i, it was dropped for the 2.5i.
• Optional heated seats.
• Optional navigation system.
• Optional BMW Assist emergency and concierge service.

2006

More powerful engines, freshened styling, and midyear introduction of a hatchback coupe mark 2006 for BMW's two-seaters.

• The 215-hp 3.0i replaces the 184-hp 2.5i as the base convertible.
• The 265-hp 3.0si in convertible and coupe form.

Z4 M Roadster / Coupe

The Z4 M is powered by a 3.2-litre straight-six engine (S54B32). Performance figures are: 3,246 cc displacement, 343 horsepower (256 kW) at 7,900 rpm, 269 lb·ft (365 N·m) of torque at 4,900 rpm, 8,000 rpm redline. Output per litre is 107 bhp (80 kW; 108 PS), and power-to-weight ratio is 9.9 lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph (96 km/h) comes in 4.8 seconds. (0–62 mph / 100 km/h is 5.0) and top speed is limited electronically to 156 mph (251 km/h).

Second generation (E89)

The vehicle was originally announced on 13 December 2008. The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. This time a coupé-convertible with folding hardtop, the Z4 (E89) will be built in Regensburg alongside the (E93) 3-Series Cabrio, likely due to the U.S. plant needing more room for SUV production. It moved upmarket, dropping the small four-cylinder base engine. In late 2011 BMW reintroduced a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder powerplant with twin-scroll turbo (N20 engine variant). Read more about BMW Z4 (E89) here.

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