Updated BMW Z4 keeps roadster formula alive

MANILA: Alongside the XM — the first high-performance car from BMW M GmbH with an electrified drive system — BMW unveiled its updated and classic Z4 roadster model.

The 2023 BMW Z4 roadster has been redesigned with new exterior design highlights, improved basic features, and a larger selection of available options.

The new features not only emphasize the BMW Z4's racing nature, but also build on its popularity in the Bavarian automaker's lineup and its significant contribution to the long heritage of open-top sports cars made by the brand.

The BMW Z4 modernizes the experience of a classic roadster. The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive vehicle with strong engines that is designed for maximum agility, dynamism, and steering precision. It also has a traditional fabric soft-top roof.

It has a modern, upscale cabin with a cockpit design that is driver-focused. With the M Sport package now being offered as standard for the four-cylinder variants, it emanates sporty power from the outside.

For the past 20 years, the BMW Z4 has played a significant role in BMW's open top tale The third generation was produced by BMW Group production partner Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria, and went on sale in 2018. In November 2022, the newest model debuts.

In the UK, the 2023 BMW Z4 M40i has a genuinely distinctive selling point in its sector because of its two in-line six-cylinder and four-cylinder engine options. More than 30% of the roadster's recent sales worldwide have come from the BMW M model, with the BMW Z4 M40i posting a figure as high as 48% in Germany.

The third-generation BMW Z4 has so far been sold in over 55,000 units worldwide. Germany is the most significant individual market, where almost 26% of all vehicles from the current model generation have been sold. The United States (with 17%), China, the United Kingdom, and Japan follow Germany in that order.

Since it first went on sale, the BMW Z4 has maintained remarkably steady sales volumes in a normally declining vehicle segment. It has been by far the most popular model in a very competitive class that is exclusively made up of German premium brands since day one, and it has steadily expanded its market share ever since.

The exterior of the 2023 BMW Z4 captures the contemporary interpretation of the traditional open-top sports vehicle with muscular proportions, an aesthetic influenced by BMW's current design language, and a number of unique elements.

Large air intakes, LED headlights with light sources grouped vertically and placed to the outer edges, and a tall bonnet that extends over the wheel arches are all distinguishing aspects of the front end. The roadster's breadth and commanding posture are highlighted even more by the most recent design changes.

The outward characteristics of the M Sport trim level, which is now the entry point into the Z4 range, are particularly important. The exterior features include a rear apron with aggressive edge at either side, distinctive side-sill contouring, and the three-section air intakes in the front apron that are recognized from other M models. Remodeling has been done to the side air intakes, which direct incoming air to the air curtains to lessen turbulence in the wheel arches.

Also greatly increasing the aesthetic impact is the BMW kidney grille's design that has undergone major detail upgrades. The interior structure of the kidneys is now horizontal, adding to the appearance of a large front end. The 2023 BMW Z4 M40i's performance-focused nature is highlighted by features like Cerium Gray exterior mirror covers and trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe trims.

The clear surfaces of the car's flanks (with two dynamically flowing character lines providing structure), the sizeable air breathers behind the front wheel arches, the spoiler built into the boot lid, the slim, L-shaped rear lights, and the striking diffuser element in the rear apron — all add to the BMW Z4's exterior appearance's sporting authenticity.

The traditional cloth soft-top of the roadster is electronically powered and can be opened or closed at the press of a button within 10 seconds while the vehicle is traveling at up to 31 mph.

New improvements to the standard equipment include double-spoke 18-inch M light-alloy wheels. These mixed-size, bi-color wheels have 225/45 R18 tires on the front axle and 255/40 R18 tires on the back.

Customers may now choose from options like 19-inch M light-alloy wheels made specifically for the BMW Z4. The roadster's side perspective is made exceptionally spectacular and opulent by the V-spoke design, Jet Black matt finish, and diamond polished rim edges. The 255/35 ZR19 tires are mounted on the front axle of the 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, and the 275/35 ZR19 tires are mounted on the rear axle.

The range of exterior paint finishes for the 2023 BMW Z4 has been carefully revised, with new and boldly expressive variants added.

As well as the body colors Thundernight metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic available for the roadster for the first time, the selection also includes four other variants spanning a broad spectrum between white, black, red and gray – including the shimmering matt BMW Individual paint finish Frozen Grey metallic.

The fabric soft-top of the BMW Z4 will continue to be offered in Anthracite Silver effect as an alternative to the standard black.

What could be selected along with the also optional Adaptive LED Headlights is the M Lights Shadow Line, another addition to the list of choices. The black inserts in the headlights give the car's front end a subtly sporty appearance. Together with the M high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim with expanded parts, they make a well-balanced composition.

The design of the 2023 BMW Z4 interior is led by a driver-focused cockpit layout, sport seats with integral head restraints, clear, forward-facing lines and the limiting of decorative surfaces to a small number of areas. The BMW Z4 sDrive20i comes as standard with Vernasca leather, which can be specified in Black, Ivory White, Cognac or Magma Red.

Added to which, the classical sports car cockpit is combined with an instrument panel in Sensatec. Seat heating, the wind deflector, extended storage, the through-loading system, Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, the automatically dimming rear-view mirror and two-zone automatic climate control are included as standard in all model variants. The BMW Z4 M40i is also fitted as standard with ambient lighting and M door sill finishers.

The three petrol engines that are also available for the new BMW Z4 have the hallmark qualities for which BMW is known, including instantaneous power delivery, a passionate thirst for rpm, exceptional efficiency, and smoothness.

An eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is paired as standard with the four-cylinder engine that powers the BMW Z4 sDrive20i. With Launch Control for traction-optimized acceleration off the line, the Steptronic Sport transmission has shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The top-of-the-line variant of the BMW Z4 epitomizes the high status of the vehicle in terms of powertrain technology. Its six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology is unmatched by any competitor and exhibits exceptional performance qualities. The 3.0-liter 340-horsepower engine propels the BMW Z4 M40i from 0 to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds and has a maximum torque of 500 Nm.

With a two-liter displacement and BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, the four-cylinder engine stands out for its vivacious performance characteristics. The BMW Z4 sDrive20i accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.6 seconds and has a maximum output of 197 horsepower and a maximum torque of 320 Nm.

The BMW Z4's extreme stiffness of the body and chassis structure and extremely effective aerodynamics, along with its small size, reduced weight, low center of gravity, and nearly perfect 50:50 weight distribution, give the perfect framework for sporty handling that will excite and delight.

Chassis technology that combines a five-link rear axle with a two-joint spring strut front axle unlocks a fascinating blend of agility and ride comfort. Variable sport steering is likewise a standard feature for all model variations.

The M Sport suspension, now part of standard equipment, optimizes driving dynamics with its firm damper and spring tuning. The BMW Z4 M40i has adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers M Sport brakes with a choice of blue- or red-painted calipers. The range-topping model is also fitted with an M Sport differential at the rear axle.

Customers can choose from a variety of cutting-edge driver assistance systems in the 2023 BMW Z4 to improve levels of comfort and safety. Front collision warning with brake intervention, lane departure warning with lane return, and the Speed Limit Info function with no-overtaking signal are all included in the standard specification.

The Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, Lane Change Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Crossing Traffic Warning, Parking Assistant, and Reversing Assist Camera are some of the options available. The BMW Head-Up Display, which displays driving information onto the windscreen, is additionally available.

Intelligent connectivity and intuitive operation are both provided by the BMW Live Cockpit Professional. The fully digital instrument cluster and control display, both of which have a diagonal of 10.25 inches, now offer customizable screens.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, a hard drive-based multimedia system, an alarm system, smartphone connectivity, the BMW Maps navigation system, and other features are also included in its capabilities.

Photos from BMW

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