BMW has finally unveiled its all new Z4 Roadster at the Detroit show. The car has been carefully redesigned and includes a power retractable two-piece aluminum roof—a first for the Z4. The new Z4 is slightly larger and heavier, but it’s also more luxurious and has a more user-friendly cabin than the outgoing model.
A 255-bhp 3.0-liter inline-6 will come standard in the base model, which will be known as the Z4 sDrive30i. This engine was formerly the top engine available in the Z4, excepting the M Roadster and M Coupe, which used a 330-bhp normally aspirated 3.2-liter inline-6. The new top-shelf powerplant is BMW's well-loved 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 with 300 bhp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque.
Both models come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, which BMW says features the shortest throws of any car they make. The sDrive30i is also available with a 6-speed automatic, while the sDrive35i can be fitted with a 7-speed version of BMW's new twin-clutch M DCT transmission. Both the 6-speed automatic and 7-speed twin-clutch gearboxes come with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
BMW claims the twin-clutch Z4 sDrive35i outsprints its 6-speed manual brother by 0.1 sec to 60 mph (5.0 vs. 5.1), while the manual-equipped sDrive30i hits 60 mph in 5.6 sec vs. the automatic's 6.0. Although a BMW official told us the company currently has no plans for an M version of the new Z4, we wouldn’t be surprised to see one within two years.
Dynamic Drive Control will be standard on the new Z4, this feature allowing the driver to choose among three settings (at the touch of a button on the center console) for throttle mapping, engine management, stability control response and the electric-assist power steering.
The interior has also been given a complete rethink. It's far more stylish and has several new (and needed) storage cubbies. The Z4 will be available with iDrive for the first time as part of the optional navigation package. The nav/iDrive's 8.8-in. high-resolution display screen retracts into the dashboard when not in use.
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