The latest iteration of the long-nosed Z4 roadster has made its Australian debut at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show, the new car’s first public appearance since being unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
And, BMW fans rejoice, while the previous-gen Z4 was ‘visually confronting’ (I’m trying to be nice about it), the new Z4 Roadster is one very, very nice looking grunty machine.
The new BMW Z4 Roadster is powered by one of three highly-efficient BMW six-cylinder engines with the most powerful being a twin turbo 3.0-litre high precision injection engine generating 225 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. This engine will take the car from 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds. There is also a normally aspirated 3.0-litre version, as well as a smaller capacity 2.5-litre version to round off the range.
The Z4 on display at MIMS is the hi-po Z4 sDrive35i model.
The show car is also fitted with the optional Adaptive M suspension kit, which lowers the car by 10mm and features electronically-adjustable dampers. Coupled with the standard Dynamic Drive Control - which allows switchable throttle, gearshift and steering settings - the Z4 Roadster should have what it takes to shake-up the open-top sportscar establishment.
With a fuel economy rating of 9.4 l/100km and a cargo capacity of 310 litres with the roof up, it should also be a reasonably practical one too.
The Roadster range begins with the BMW Z4 sDrive23i, priced from $86,200, includes the BMW Z4 sDrive30i priced from $98,100, and is topped off by the BMW Z4 sDrive35i priced from $116,900.
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I am still on the fence about this one,
the earlier model polarised opinions and had a clear styling ‘concept’ shall we say. There are quite a few examples around where I live and the original has really grown on me in it’s muscular looks and very aggressive styling cues and folds in the bodywork.
This version is meant to be a vanilla spec version with hints of 5 series/6 series in the front and Boxster/Cayman in the rear.
For me the jury is still out.
What do you think?