BMW has finally unveiled the production spec for the new BMW Z4 roadster which will make its public debut at the Concourse d’Elegance in Pebble Beach California. This is the third-generation of the two-seater open-top sports car, ie the Z series, and returns to the soft-top design in 2018.
This is Z4 M40i First Edition in Frozen Orange is making its world premiere in the exact same location that played host to the Z4 Concept that was debuted last year. Some of the design elements like the sharp lines and flying buttresses have not made it to production, but for the rest of it, the final car looks a lot like the concept.
It features newly designed LED headlights and taillamps with a new mesh for the iconic BMW kidney grilles. The new Z4 roadster has a low centre of gravity and a central sitting position for the driver while BMW has worked hard to achieve the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. The soft-top roof which is stored behind the seats can be extended into place in less than 10 seconds which is a decent time to cover yourself when the rain starts coming in. It tucks itself away just as quickly too.
Under the big, swooping hood lies a classic 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six that sends about 340HP to the rear wheels via an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. Sadly, no manual gearbox option is to be expected. We’ll have to wait for the driving reviews to come in to see how the auto box affects the open-top sports car experience.
The updated leather interiors with the latest generation of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system and premium quality finish add to the nice experience even when you’re not thrashing the new Z4 around some twisty roads. It also features the BMW HUD for the first time in a roadster and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional for the latest networking technology.
Personally, the details that didn’t make it to the final production model are what made the Z4 Concept look so appealing to me. This iteration is still pretty, but I wouldn’t call it a looker. More variants of the new Z4 will be announced in September.
What are your thoughts on the all-new BMW Z4 M40i? Let us know in the comments below the gallery and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for plenty more updates to come.
The Auto Loons 