What's the news?
This is our first, clear look at the third-generation BMW Z4, being developed alongside Toyota's Supra. BMW will reveal its all-new, two-seat roadster at the Concours d'Elegance event at Pebble Beach Golf Links, near Monterey, California, today (Aug 23).
BMW will present the Z4 in the United States as an M40i First Edition, finished in Frozen Orange metallic paint and with black detailing. Powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine, the Z4 M40i can do 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and is limited to 250km/h, while it can also return fuel economy in the order of 39.8mpg (7.1 litres/100km) with 162g/km of CO2 emissions.
At last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, BMW unveiled the Concept Z4, so it's fitting that the world gets its first look at the production version in the same location. BMW is proud of the fact that the driver sits low and central in the roadster, contributing to the car's perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution.
With wide tracks and a short wheelbase, BMW says the handling is particularly good on the Z4, a fact bolstered by the standard equipment list of the M40i, which includes sports suspension with electronically-controlled dampers, an electronically-controlled M Sport differential on the rear axle and an M Sport braking system.
Visually, the Z4 has a mesh-design BMW kidney grille, large air breathers on the front wheel arches and an integrated spoiler in the boot lid, while inside, the cabin is focused on the driver. Equipment will be generous on the First Edition, including 19-inch bicolour light alloy wheels, BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line exterior finishing, an electrically-operated soft-top in Anthracite with a silver effect, Vernasca black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, electrically-adjustable seats with a memory function, ambient interior lighting, a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, Adaptive LED headlights with Matrix High Beam, BMW Head-Up Display (a first in one of the company's roadsters) and BMW Live Cockpit Professional connectivity and infotainment.
Anything else?
More details on further engine variants, technical highlights and the full equipment roster of the Z4 range will be revealed on September 19, before the BMW heads to the Paris Motor Show in October. BMW Ireland says the market launch of the Z4 will commence in spring 2019.