BMW Z4 2.5
The Z4 At Last Shows That
BMW Can Build A Convincing Roadster. Andy Enright Reports
Although many of us consider BMW an exemplar of savvy marketing, in-depth product development and peerless focus on functionality, until rather recently they had something of an Achilles heel. They were lousy at building sports roadsters. The Z8 never caught the imagination, most preferring the M5 saloon upon which it was based. The Z3 even at its M Roadster zenith never had the chassis its range of engines deserved.
The Z4 shows what BMW can do when they set the collective mind to it.
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Take the 2.5-litre car we examine here. When the Z4 was first launched in the UK, this was positioned as the entry-level car, although a 2.2-litre model subsequently arrived, as did a 2.
0-litre unit. With no fewer than 192bhp to call upon, its a far cry from the entry-level Z3 with its 118bhp sewing machine. Priced at £27,565 its also a long way removed from the
Mazda MX5/
MG TF market that formed the hunting ground for the Z3. The Z4 2.
5 has a bunch of far tougher targets at which to take aim. Cars like the
Honda S2000, the
Nissan 350z Roadster and even the
Lotus Elise represent a stern task for the Z4 2.5 and against talented opposition like this, the boldly styled Bavarian must either put up or shut up. Although the Z4 differs greatly from its predecessor, its well worth noting that when the Z3 was launched there was a considerably body of opinion that slated its appearance, much as there are no shortage of commentators who dislike the Chris Bangle penned Z4.
With its snarling front and weak, fishy tail the Z3 looked like two designs welded together. The Z4 looks like twenty-two designs agglomerated into one. Its an unusual car, but spend a little time with it and youll see the genius in its styling. This is a car that really does grow on you, challenging the eye with its so-called flame-surfaced flanks and its unorthodox detailing and proportions.
Of course, there are those quite happy with unchallenged eyeballs and no amount of waxing lyrical about the styling will convince those that find the Z4 beyond the pale. Their loss. This is, after all, a proper sports car. It will sprint from rest to sixty in just 6.
8 seconds on the way to 146mph, all the while accompanied by BMWs trademark straight six growl. Tipping the scales at just 1,260 kg does wonders for the power to weight ratio,
BMW having sought lightweight componentry wherever possible. An example is the suspension system. Whereas the Z3 used the ancient semi-trailing arm suspension of a 1985 vintage 3-series, the Z4 is bang up to date, using a proper alloy multi link arrangement.
Yes, the chassis may be based on the 3-series but its been radically revised. Not only is the wheelbase significantly shorter, but the Z4 sits more foursquare on the road due to wider track at the front and rear. It becomes the first BMW to use electric power steering and is also hugely torsionally stiffer than the somewhat wobbly Z3.
"Its an unusual car, but spend a little time with it and youll see the genius in its styling"
The commitment to appearing a proper drivers car can be seen in certain key areas. The traction and stability control systems can both be disabled at the touch of a button, something you wont be able to do in a Mercedes SLK for instance. Although it does require you to hold the button in for what seems like an eternity when the control systems are disabled, youll be aware quite how potent the 3.0-litre in particular is.
BMWs paddle shift SMG sequential gearchange can also be specified. If the exterior design generates a little controversy, the same cant be said of the cabin styling. Its typically low-key but classy, BMW at their best. Theres a broad centre console and clear dials.
Space in the footwell is especially generous and its possible to hunker down into a low driving position and feel really ensconced in rather than on the car. The hood is a superb fully automatic affair with no manual intervention required whatsoever. Simply prang a button on the dashboard and the whole thing retreats in less than ten seconds with no clips, latches, poppers or stress. The Z4 promises an easy life but who will these laid back takers be? Its an open secret that the Z4 like its predecessor has been targeted at the lucrative US market.
Over here where itll no longer compete with cars like the MG TF and the
Toyota MR2, instead looking to fry some bigger fish, itll have to convince serious drivers that it can cut the mustard. Here the story is a little mixed. Drive the Z4 at seven tenths and it will feel a million dollars. The chassis feels good, the ride supple yet well damped.
Its certainly got the measure of cars like the
Audi TT Roadster and the Mercedes SLK. The gearbox feels supremely meaty, the stubby lever encouraging you to flick up and down through the six gears just for the sheer tactility of the experience. Push harder and youll be surprised at how much safe understeer BMW have built into the handling bias. Its certainly the antithesis of the tail-happy Honda S2000, erring more towards the benign Audi TT roadster in its feel at the limits of grip.
The Z4 2.5 is a hugely surprising car. In its driving characteristics its much like a BMW saloon, which to many will be praise indeed. The chassis and engine are both supremely competent.
It lacks a little of the outright edge of a true hairy-chested roadster but one suspects that for the majority of Z4 customers thats probably not a bad thing. It looks good value at just over £27,500 and once customers get used to that styling, one suspects BMW will have a winner on their hands. Those looking for BMWs Achilles heel now have a much tougher task on their hands.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: BMW Z4 2.5
PRICE: £27,565 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 216g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 146mph/ 0-60mph 6.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Urban) 22.6 (Extra Urban) 40.9 (Combined) 31mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, DSC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE? Length/Width/Height(mm) 4091/1781/1299
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