BMW Z4 Series

Overview:

How would it be facing the wind gushing through your hair at 250 kmph in a machine that keeps you in the lap of luxury and turns on your whims and fancies? All that comes true in the second generation BMW Z4 Roadster. This hardtop convertible has been single handedly carrying the BMW's roadster segment and with much acclaimed success. Often quoted as the epitome of a roadster, BMW Z4 has been on the roads after making its first appearance in 2002. Currently in its second generation, BMW Z4 has never disappointed the driver and the passenger sitting along in experiencing the surroundings along with the ride. As such, BMW Z4 comes in two petrol engine options, the sDrive 20i and the sDrive 28i where sDrive implies the rear wheel drive system of BMW. sDrive 20i is a 2-litre 4 cylinder engine that churns out a decent 184hp maximum power output where as the 28i is also a 2-litre 4 cylinder engine but it churns out a massive 245hp which is enormous for a car weighing just 1.4 tonnes along with a max torque of 350Nm. The fuel economy of both the variant stands same measuring 14.7 kmpl which isn't bad at all for a roadster. sDrive 28i unleashes the true roadster in the Z4, The Z4 has the looks to kill. This 2 door, 2 seater roadster is reminiscent of the legendary BMW Z8, which has earned an elite scenario serving the Hollywood industry for a long time largely due to its appearance. The elongated hood, low riding position and short height combined with the black hardtop has always looked unique, dramatic and heroic. The interiors are also classier than ever offering a great visual appeal to the passenger and the driver. The functionality is high just like all the BMW machines and the features are largely driver oriented.

Mileage and Fuel Economy:

BMW Z4 with its Twin turbocharged engine offers a cool fuel economy of 14.72 kmpl despite offering 245 horsepower on its sDrive 28i variant. Despite sporting a big 2.0-litre petrol engine the CO2 emissions are also very low clocking 159 g/km.

Power:

BMW sDrive 28i is the more powerful among the two engine options and by a huge margin clocking 61 horsepowers. As such, BMW sDrive 28i offers 245 hp maximum power output between 5000 to 6500 rpm, whereas the 20i offers 184 hp at 5000 rpm. The max torque offered by the 28i is also high at 350Nm between 1250 to 4800 rpm whereas that of sDrive 20i measures 270Nm between 1250 to 4500 rpm.

Acceleration and Pick Up:

It is a sheer certainty that BMW Z4 is designed to play with high speeds. Amongst the two variants, sDrive 28i is exceptionally fast clocking a maximum speed of 250 kmph with a 0-100kmph acceleration in just about 5.5 seconds. The 20i, however is milder with a max speed of 232 kmph and accelerates 0-100kmph from a halt in 6.9 seconds. This is exactly where those extra horses of 28i come into play.

Exterior:

The curves of BMW Z4 melt right into each other making it sheer delight to watch. The elongated front bonnet blends in the road and makes the Z4 appear to be always moving forward. The low driving stance keeps the driver also connected to the road to feel pretty much every inch of the tarmac. The hardtop when on offers an elegance to the car rendering it appropriate for a formal occasion. The hardtop can be operated at the speeds of up to 40 kmph. The headlights have some aesthetically appealing eyebrows installed superscribing the staring Xenon lights outlined with LED rings, that never fails to turn the heads of the onlookers. The rear of the Z4 also looks classic and has remained largely unchanged over the years. The indicators are a piece of art in themselves. The 18-inch alloys on such a low riding vehicle makes their presence felt and offers a sporty feel to the otherwise elegant roadster. The front kidney grilles are also lowered to match the overall profile of the roadster and are outlined with chrome along with the headlamps. As such, there is no use of chrome on the rear except on the tail pipe which in no way look anything less than beautiful.

Exterior Measurements:

BMW Z4 sports the measurements required for a quick and convenient car. The roadster has the L x W X H dimensions of 4239mm x 1951mm x 1291mm offering it perfect agility and aerodynamics even on high speed corners. The wheelbase stands at a long 2496mm along with short overhangs that render stability to the convertible.

Interiors:

The interiors are crafted for elegance along with functionality. BMW Z4 uses some classic black piano wood on the center floor console that looks chic and the dash console comes with an option of metal trim or wood, both of which fits in the overall classic feel of Z4. The leather renders a sporty orientation to the otherwise classic interiors. The 8.8 inch control display dissolves inside the dash when the car is turned off and pops out smoothly as soon as you turn the key to ignition. The first brand to give on board Internet access, BMW has enabled the driver to access internet on the control display. The steering feels rich due to its leather cover and the paddle shifts makes gear changing effortless. The instrument panel resembles a plane's cockpit and the lighting makes it a pleasant experience. The M sport package gives some extra features like popping out cup holders and sports pedals. The seats match the color of the door cladding that comes either in orange or anthracite, both of which are a treat to the eyes. Overall the interiors of the drive combine class with adrenaline.

Interior Comfort:

As such, BMW Z4 is pretty comfortable. Since it has just two seats, no problem arises for the designers to offer sufficient leg, shoulder and headroom. The seats are very comfortable and adjustable in every possible direction. The low ride height also makes egress and ingress very easy. The seats come in plush leather and with enough thigh and lumbar support to both the driver and passenger. The driver gets many features like paddle shifts and ergonomically placed controls to keep his driving comfortable. There is also a driving experience control that lets you choose between Sport+, Sport and Comfort mode according to the driving needs, that ensures that you get the proper traction and comfortable riding. The steering wheel has hands free Bluetooth telephone connectivity and other mounted features that puts the driver at ease. Other comfort features like cupholders and door storage space are lacking, but are available if you are willing to shell out some extra money.

Interior Measurements:

The two seats on the Z4 are comfortable to accommodate 2 people with enough shoulder and head room, posing no problem to tall people. The boot space however is very low with the top down at just 130 litres but with the top up it gives a decent space of 310 litres.

Engine and Performance:

BMW Z4 embeds two engine options both of which are of 2.0-litre (1997 cc) capacity. The milder 4 cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine of 20i and the aggressive 4 cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol of 28i. The 20i churns 184hp at 5000 rpm and a max torque of appreciable 270Nm between 1250 to 4500 rpm which is more than enough for our everyday needs, but if you really want to bring out the true roadster spirit of the Z4, then opt the 28i that offers a massive 245hp between 5000 to 6500 rpm along with a great maximum torque measuring 350 Nm between 1250 to 4800 rpm. This engine configuration is matched by the 8 speed sport automatic transmission that comes with a converter clutch and pedal shift that makes shifting exceptionally smooth and efficient. This transmission efficiency is reflected in the fuel economy offered by BMW Z4.

Stereo and Accessories:

The stereo of the Z4 comes with connectivity with AM/FM/AUX and Bluetooth and also with a CD/DVD drive that pretty much covers all the audio file formats commonly in use. The centre of all the multimedia and infotainment controls in the big 8.8-inch wide screen popping out of the centre of the dashboard which features 3D navigation. The speakers are standard, and BMW charges extra if you want to upgrade to extra loudspeakers offered by BMW. The control display is very functional and lets you see the track currently playing. It also comes with the AUPEO App that is basically an internet radio that lets you chose between a hundred genre specific radio stations to always keep your music library full.

Wheels:

The 18-inch alloys on BMW Z4 28i really steal the show and establishes a commanding yet agile road presence. Its tyre configuration is 225/40 R18 for the front whereas a broader 225/35 R 18 W for rear giving it the perfect stability. The 20i gets a shorter 17-inch light alloy with the tyre dimensions of 225/45 R17 for both front and rear, all of which are run flats.

Braking and Handling:

BMW Z4 packs ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels along with ABS and Brake Assist that ensures a smooth and proper braking of the Roadster. The Sport+, Sport and Comfort mode, electronically adjust its suspensions and handling, there by ensuring the prescribed amount of handling always. However the 28i might feel like a bit too much to handle at high speed corners and turns.

Safety and Security:

BMW Z4 offers all the basic features like ABS, Electronic Stability Program that includes Brake Assist and Traction Control, Regenerative braking, airbags and pre-tensioners. However, other features like Park Assist and ISOFIX child seat can be installed by paying an extra amount. The Park assist is a very useful feature that gives you an overall bird's eye view of the car and its surroundings. The Sat-Nav and the Navigation professional also prevents you from getting lost and the immobilizer bars access through duplicate keys. Since it is a roadster, in the open top conditions it offers a roll cage structure behind the seats that protects the passengers in case of any emergency.

Pros:

Brilliant looks
Powerful engine
Fine quality interiors including the hard top

Cons:

Handling at high speeds is rough
Very low storage space that hampers the practicality of the car
Features like park assist and a good audio system are not standard