Just a few hours ago, BMW officially released all the Euro-spec details on the new Z4 ending months of spy shots, renderings, and even phone shots. As you can see from the pictures, the bodywork flows elegantly rather than the more chiseled and bangled design of the outgoing model.
Up front, wide double-kidney grilles establish an aggressive face. Out back, the tail is cleaner and more elegant than the current car’s, featuring simpler, wraparound tail-lamps with attractive lighting effects.
The biggest change of all, of course, can be found in the roofline. As was the case in the 3 Series, the soft top has been retired in favor of a retractable metal roof. There’s a subtle “double-bubble” effect evident when it’s in place, and its use reportedly improves outward visibility with the top up. 20 seconds is how long you need to wait for it to raise or stow.
European models have three engine selections, and the Z4 employs BMW’s ridiculous new naming scheme, as first seen on the X6. The Z4 sDrive23i is probably Euro-only, powered by a 2.5L inline-6 making 204 horses via a six-speed manual or automatic. Next up is the Z4 sDrive30i, which features the normally-aspirated 3.0L I6 we’re all familiar with. In that form it makes 258 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to get it to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds (with the stick). Fun times. The sDrive30i also comes with either a 6-speed manual or automatic.
Those of you looking for the ass-kicker Z4 want the sDrive35i, which gets BMW’s award winning twin-turbo 3.0L and 306 horsepower. 0-100 takes 5.2 seconds with the manual but you shave a tenth off that if you opt for the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Inside, it’s typically simple with attractive wood accents, slick-looking new HVAC controls and a straightforward cockpit layout. iDrive has now made its way into the Z4, but it’s the new, allegedly more intuitive version that was first introduced in the new 7 Series. The LCD display sinks into the instrument panel when not in use.
The official unveiling of the 2010 BMW Z4 is happening tomorrow 15th December – watch this space. I’ve just got hold of a video on the new Z4 on YouTube and its attached below. The video is basically a moving version of all the pictures you see here with highlights on engine sound, design upgrades and the new, improved iDrive.
Source: AutoBlog
