BMW Z4 Roadster

Overview

Being the largest state in Germany, Bavaria is a home for several football clubs, and the second thing it is famous for is the very well known “BMW”. Rooted in the year 1916, this German auto marque stepped in the world of automobile with the introduction of its first military model, since then the brand has never stepped back and gained laurels with its exotic drives. Adding up to this credit the brand is out with the new BMW Z4. This rear wheel drive machine started its industrial tour in the year 2002 with its first generation in the market and now with the second generation out, the brand is expecting something really big. Available in two trim levels: sDrive 20i and sDrive 18i, this new series of roadster comes in an astounding body architecture. Characterized kidney grilles and the long stretched bonnet is something from which the BMW's are easily recognizable. Short overhangs and classy body lines imparts a sense of athleticism to the persona of the car. Broad wheel arches with sleekly designed rear section screams out the reason for its power packed performance. Besides this the chrome tinted exhaust tips and diffusers at the rear bumper throws a sporty look to the rear of the car.

Step inside and you could experience an aura of sportiness and luxury all in the cabin. Sporty steering wheel with paddle shifters offers easy and brisk shifting of gears, thus ensuring a sports car driving experience. Finely stitched seats of the car comes with electrical adjustment that ensures ample comfort during adverse ride condition. The HiFi sound professional audio unit of the car comes with 14 speaker arrangement offers high quality auditory to the occupants. 4 cylinder straight roofed in the car has a gasping capacity of 1997 cc that grunts out a maximum power range of 156 hp to 184 hp (between 5000 rpm to 6250 rpm) and the rear wheel drive arrangement of the car is availed with a rubber burning torque, ranging from 240 Nm to 270 Nm (between 1250 rpm to 4500 rpm). The Z4 hunts down a top speed of 235 km/h and at the same time guns to figure of 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. Though offering such a high performance package, the Z4 still manage to deliver a decent mileage of 14.7 km/l. The roadster also comes with a package of decent safety features that includes Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control. Rollover protection bars behind the headrest offers ample safety during vehicle roll over, besides this the side impact protection has reinforced cross members that absorbs the side impact during crash. Package of safety features to the front ensures maximum safety to the occupants during any frontal collision.

Mileage and Fuel Economy

In order to cope up with the efficiency factor, the brand has introduced a couple of decent technologies, one among them is the Brake Energy Regeneration, which stores the waste energy during braking, so as to charge the battery. Though providing an astounding performance, the efficient engine of the Z4 manages to deliver a decent mileage of 14.7 km/l.

Power

The 4 cylinder turbocharged engine of the Z4 roars, by pushing out a maximum power range of 156 hp to 184 hp (between 5000 rpm to 6250 rpm). At the same time, the rear wheel drive layout of the car is availed with a maximum torque, ranging from 240 Nm to 270 Nm that too between an incredible 1250 rpm to 4500 rpm.

Acceleration and Pickup

The result of mating a 7-speed Steptronic sport transmission is an uninterrupted acceleration, which the Z4 generally does in 6.9 seconds in order to score a figure of 100km/h. At the same time switch on the sports mode and you could experience a neck-breaking top speed of 235 km/h.

Exterior

The new Z4 combines the highest aesthetics and powerful sportiness that makes it an exotic masterpiece in the brand's line up. Newly mutated design of the Z4 captivates the beholder with every minute details embossed on the roadster by the marque's in house design professional. Classically proportioned stretched bonnets and short overhangs offers the driver a perfect feel of road, besides this the broad wheel arches and soft merges to the body adds to the new design of the car. Characteristic kidney grille and sleek silhouette of the car is something from which the model gains a standout attention. Besides offering ample protection during vehicle rollover, the aluminum tinted roll bars at the rear throws a glossy finish to the car. LED accent lights on the front ensures better colour adjustment with the Xenon high and low beams. The impressive hardtop technology of the car can be opened or closed with just a push of button at speeds up to 40 km/h. Chrome garnished exhaust tail ends and attractive LED brake light throws a sporty essence to the architectural unit and adds decently to the roadster persona of the car.

Exterior Measurements

The sleek silhouette of the Z4 carries an accurate dimensioning figure of 4239mm X 1790mm X 1291mm (L X W X H) that allows it to gain a proper roadster trait. Wheelbase of 2496mm offers the car ample stability while cornering critical turns.

Interior

Being the reincarnation of the classic roadster, the interior of the new Z4 is perfect blend of elegance and effective functionality. Well tailored seats and leather wrapped steering wheel spreads an aura of plushness all in the cabin. Sports seats with lumbar support has electrical adjustment comfort parameters that makes you feel cozy even at adverse road conditions. Asymmetrical centre console with ergonomically positioned controls eases the driving and ensures effortless operation of the systems. In order to stand up to the sporty driving experience, the Z4 comes with a sporty steering wheel with gearshift paddles that enables an easy and brisk driving experience. HiFi system professional with 14 loudspeaker arrangement has digital amplifier and digital equalizer that offers a listening experience of unmatched intensity. Automatic Air Recirculation (AAR) with filter, solar and fogging sensors offers a personalized and fully automatic temperature control zone.

Interior comfort

Though providing a sporty aura in the cabin it still manages to hold some decent comfort parameters, that makes the driver feel cozy all in the cabin. Heated driver and passengers seats quickly radiate comfortable warmth so as to make the occupants comfortable even at bad weather conditions. Armrest with decent storage space allows you to store useful amenities during travel. Interactive navigation system with 8.8-inch high resolution display holds hard disk for audio files and navigation data. The centre arm rest of the car comes with two drink holders that allow you to settle you fizz bottles.

Interior Measurements

Generous interior of the car comes with a handy boot capacity of 180-litres with hardtop down, and when hardtop is up there is a decent hike in the boot capacity, which leads it to capacious figure of 310-litres.

Engine and Performance

The 4 cylinder straight of the Z4 offers an enormous amount of power which matches with the so called efficiency of the car. Holding a gasping capacity of 1997 cc, the turbocharged motor of the Z4 churns out a maximum power range of 156 hp to 184 hp (between 5000 rpm to 6250 rpm). The rear wheel drive geometry of the car is availed with a rubber burning torque ranging from 240 Nm to 270 Nm (between 1250 rpm to 4500 rpm). 7-speed Steptronic transmission of the car comes with double clutch mechanism, that offers an easy and brisk shifting of gears.

Stereo and Accessories

HiFi System Professional audio unit of the car comes with 14 loudspeakers arrangement installed in the dash unit and door panels. The multichannel-enabled music system of the car comes with digital amplifier that offers quality acoustic all in the cabin. The centre dash unit holds a TV function that provides access to digital television when the vehicle is stationary. Navigation system Professional with DVD drive and iDrive controller has integrated hard disk for audio files and navigation data. The 8.8 inch high-resolution colour display car avails you with decent navigation guidelines that allows you to escape heavy traffic.

Wheels

Aluminum tinted machine finished alloys nicely suits to the elegant silhouette of the car. 17-inch light alloys of the car is wrapped with an all-season tyre size of 225/45 R17 at the front as well as to the rear.

Braking and Handling

Disc brakes implanted on the wheels has anti-lock braking system that offers efficient and safe braking performance even at high speeds. This system prevents the locking tendency of the wheel during instant barking, thus offering a skid free driving experience. Adaptive M suspension of the car allows sports tunning of the Z4 by lowering the chassis by 10mm, thus improving the agility of the vehicle.

Safety and Security

The new Z4 comes with couple of decent safety features, that safeguards the occupants during adverse conditions. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) mitigates the skidding of the car avails the rollers with maximum traction and firm grip, that eventually maximize the propulsion. Rollover protection system comes with two steel roll bars behind the headrests, which offers maximum safety to the occupants during vehicle rollover condition. Side impact protection comes with reinforced cross members that enhance the strength of the robust body architecture. Adaptive headlights with variable light distribution senses the steering movement and illuminates the desired area, thus offering better visibility. Driver and passenger airbags comes with head and thorax protection that safeguards the occupants during frontal collision, besides this the reversible aluminum impact absorbers also ensures maximum safety during crash. Runflat tyre feature has reinforced side walls that maintains the shape of tyre during loss of pressure.

Pros

Potent engine
Elegant body attributes
Comfortable seats

Cons

Bit expensive compared to the rivals
Lacks ride comfort
Lacks confidence on fast hairpins