BMW Z4 M roadster!

[QUOTE]After years of speculation and denials from BMW, the Munich firm has finally unveiled an M-badged Z4.

Since the launch of the Z4 four years ago BMW has repeatedly denied the possibility of a sportier version of the roadster, but falling Z4 sales (especially in the vital North American market) have forced BMW to improve the Z4 range’s image with this car and the forthcoming Z4 Coupé. It also provides the company with a rival to Porsche’s highly-rated Boxster S.

The car will get its first public outing in January at the Detroit Motor Show and will go in sale in the UK in the Spring. There’s no word on pricing yet, but expect it to be around the £38k to rival the Boxster S.

Visual changes over the Z4 are subtle, and the body shell is the same although there’s a chance it could look more distinctive in the metal. The car rides 10mm lower than the Z4 but is 3mm taller, with a 2mm longer wheelbase. Overall length is up by 22mm but the width and tracks stay the same. The rear bumper has a different underbody diffuser, and four tailpipes replace the standard car’s two.

BMW has chosen to use the current M3’s 3.2-litre straight-six powerplant, rather than the next M3’s 400bhp V8 as was originally predicted, making this likely to be the last six-cylinder M-car. It produces the same 340bhp at 7900rpm and 269lb ft 4900rpm as the M3, but in the lighter Z4 (1420kg) it gives a power to weight ratio of 241bhp per tonne (bettering the M3 by 23bhp) and a 0-62mph time of 5.0sec. Top speed is limited to 155mph.

The transmission is the M3’s six-speed manual, and the final drive ratio has been lowered to 3.62:1 to improve acceleration. But despite the extra power and torque and the car’s performance potential, the shell hasn’t been given any extra bracing to improve stiffness, which remains the same as the Z4’s.

The Z4 M’s mechanicals are closely based on the M3 with the speed-sensitive M-differential that varies the locking action on the rear wheels from zero to 100 per cent. BMW has done away with the Z4’s electrically power assisted steering, replacing it with a conventional hydraulically assisted system – this should further improve on the Z4’s already decent steering - and the battery has been moved to the boot in order to improve weight distribution.

The arrival of the M Roadster coincides with tweaks to the rest of the Z4 range. The old 2.5i and 3.0i have been replaced with the more powerful 216bhp 2.5si and 265bhp 3.0si. The 3.0si hits 60mph in 5.7sec – 0.4sec faster than the 3.0i.

The si models are available with an auto ’box, with steering-wheel mounted paddle-shift controls. On the outside, there are new tail lights, redesigned bumpers amd four new colours.
[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/14096.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.autoweek.nl/images/800/14095.jpg[/IMG]

still yuckypoo. should have made the coupe the m

I cannot say that the performance gain over the 3.0Si is really impressive.

More powerful if put "M" on the new coupé,not this roadster.
But the backlights is more beautiful than the old Z4.

Idiots, why didn't they use the V8?

[QUOTE=6'bore]Idiots, why didn't they use the V8?[/QUOTE]

too big may be?

[QUOTE=henk4]too big may be?[/QUOTE]

hhmmm, the Z4 has quite a long front end, no shorter than the M3, so I can't see them having [I]too[/I] much of a problem.

[QUOTE=6'bore]Idiots, why didn't they use the V8?[/QUOTE]


Because they don't need another Z8. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=McReis]Because they don't need another Z8. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]


I doubt it would be percieved as a new Z8. Alot cheaper, around 45,000 GBP, alot more desirable in looks.

It would certainly contend with the SLK55AMG in sales.

[QUOTE=6'bore]I doubt it would be percieved as a new Z8. Alot cheaper, around 45,000 GBP, alot more desirable in looks.

It would certainly contend with the SLK55AMG in sales.[/QUOTE]


A BMW with a lightweight 6 cylinder engine is much more agile and much more sportier than a SLK with a V8. The overengine tradition on Mercedes and AMG, is good for those who rate cars by their spec sheet. Not for those who really care to drive them properly.

Although BMW is my second favored car Z4 s@cks big time,I hate that car.

[QUOTE=McReis]A BMW with a lightweight 6 cylinder engine is much more agile and much more sportier than a SLK with a V8. The overengine tradition on Mercedes and AMG, is good for those who rate cars by their spec sheet. Not for those who really care to drive them properly.[/QUOTE]

Your right in that aspect, but if BMW's view was more on agility, then why are they putting a V8 in the new M3?

They don't want this to be faster than the M3, and if it has the V8, it will be. Also it's easier/cheaper to engineer this way, because they don't have to stiffen up the shell, and the current M3 driveline probably fits in a lot easier.

Why not fit the V10 from the M5?:rolleyes:
Fitting a V8 in this car would go againstits nature. Its a small roadster, it should be ligght and agile.

it looks like a chop to me.. and the rear light r ugly
after looking at it... its defenetly a chop

and i dont beleive bmw will use the old M3 engine.. technology is advancing and BMW allways was on the top so they wont step backward and stay on an old engine.. and if this is realy true (which i dont beleive) then they will use a new VV6 that will be lighter

[QUOTE=white devil]it looks like a chop to me.. and the rear light r ugly
after looking at it... its defenetly a chop
[/QUOTE]
No it isn't:rolleyes:

All the fuzz about the engine, the bigger the engine the heavier it'll get, wich isn't good for the agility.
Here are a few more pics:

And the last 2:

doesnt look like a chop to me...

[QUOTE=Jakg]doesnt look like a chop to me...[/QUOTE]

It isn't. It's on BMW Media Site.

Also the ordinairy Z4 has been facelifted, don't like the front:(:

i think it looks very nice. i always lied the z4 and this is just differnt enough to hint at more power.

i also think that they made a good choice in sticking with the straight six. the m cars are not meant to be dragsters but sportscars. if you stick a big v8 in there it will lose some of the delicacy of the handling.

I miss the widened rear fenders and rims that the previous versions had.

Get that in dark titanium gray, and with a hard top, that has a roof scoop, and anthracite rims, you'd have the terminator car.

Theyre still making the Coupe though, so should be better in that form...

No, but the terminator would be like, asta la vista roofman, and eject the roof high into the air, rise out of the car, and jump on to the nearest transport at 155... then he'd be like, I'll be bockt... kaa...

[QUOTE=RazaBlade]Theyre still making the Coupe though, so should be better in that form...[/QUOTE]

Yes I think so

[Quote="ZeTurbo"]Why not fit the V10 from the M5?
Fitting a V8 in this car would go againstits nature. Its a small roadster, it should be ligght and agile.[/Quote]

Because a 5l V10 will be bigger and heavier than the 4l V8 the M3 is getting

[QUOTE=Piacki_117]Yes I think so[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I was gonna point out to RISE AGAINST that they will!!

puke :p

[QUOTE=Cyco]Because a 5l V10 will be bigger and heavier than the 4l V8 the M3 is getting[/QUOTE]


I think he was being sarcastic. ;)