New BMW Z4 and Z4 M Roadster Unveiled

Press Release

Drivetrain

Even More Power and Efficiency

 

Model Updates – Detail:

 

·         Lighter, even more powerful and efficient straight-six engines.

·         New straight-six in the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5si.

·         New 2.0-litre four-cylinder.Six-speed gearbox standard on all models.

·         Six-speed sport automatic with gearshift paddles as an option on the Z4 Roadster 3.0si and 2.5si.

The BMW Z4 Roadster is acknowledged as one of BMW’s most dynamic, ac­tive models. This is attributable first and foremost to the car’s powerful, silken-smooth engines. And in conjunction with the six-speed gearbox fea­tured as standard, as well as the exceedingly agile suspension, the six- and four-cylinders make a particularly significant contribution to driving pleasure at its best.

The World’s Most Modern Six-Cylinder in the Top Model.

The top-of-the-range power unit is the 3.0-litre in the BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si. Indeed, this engine has won the Engine-of-the-Year Award several times, a prize acknowledged by engine designers and development special­ists as the “Oscar� of the automotive industry.

In a constant quest for perfection, the new straight-six is a brand-new devel­opment exceeding the qualities of even the former three-litre power unit. One of the most innovative six-cylinders the world over, the new engine sets the standard in terms of refinement and running smoothness. Added to this, it offers the highest output per litre, the best power-to-weight ratio, and the lowest level of specific fuel consumption. As a result, BMW’s new straight-six has an even greater lead over the competition, reaching a level of per­fection never seen before.

More Output – Lower Weight, Fuel Consumption and Exhaust Emissions.

Developing maximum output of 195 kW/265 hp at 6,600 rpm, the new en­gine outperforms its predecessor by 25 kW/34 hp or 13 per cent. Maximum torque of 315 Newton-metres or 232 lb-ft is 15 Newton-metres better than with the former engine (+ 5 per cent) and is maintained consistently from 2,500–4,000 rpm. It almost goes without saying that the engine complies in full with the European EU4 as well as the US ULEV II emission standards, thus offering the very best also in the interest of the environment.

Magnesium together with Aluminium.

Weighing just 161 kg or 355 lb, the six-cylinder is the lightest engine in the world in its performance class, with a power-to-weight ratio of 1.18 kW per kilogram. To save weight in every respect, the crankcase is made of compo­site aluminium/magnesium. The bedplate and cylinder head cover, in turn, are made almost completely of magnesium no less than 30 per cent lighter than aluminium.

VALVETRONIC for even more Efficient Fuel Combustion.

Operating with infinite precision and as a function of the throttle pedal, VALVE­TRONIC controls the opening period and timing of the intake valves, minimising the energy required for the engine’s charge cycle and thus using the fuel injected even more efficiently. A further advantage is that engine re­sponse is even better than before.

BMW VALVETRONIC is combined with BMW’s infinitely adjustable dual-VANOS variable camshaft adjustment on the intake and outlet valves. The VANOS adjusters as well as the sprocket on the adjustment unit are made entirely of aluminium.

The improvement of performance and efficiency is underlined by further in­no­vations. The electrical water pump, for example, operates independently of engine speed and is controlled entirely according to the engine’s current need for cooling. Each of the two lightweight camshafts, in turn, saves 600 grams where it really counts. And the use of one single drive belt for all ancillary units again means less weight and a smaller risk of failure, with the second belt drive level no longer being required. The resonance intake sys­tem now operating in three stages, finally, provides even more torque at lower speeds by reducing flow losses to a minimum and ensuring a maxi­mum cylinder charge, enlarging the speed range with its self-charging effect.

Sound Design on the Drivetrain.

The purpose of “sound design� is to generate a powerful, striking sound typical of the car, “telling� the customer at all speeds that the engine is highly responsive and offers superior power and performance. Through its concept alone, the new six-cylinder improves motoring refinement to an even higher standard throughout a larger speed range than before. This, in turn, is pre­cisely the kind of quality required for generating an authentic roadster sound.

This special sound typical of an open-air sports car is developed above all through guidance of intake air and the exhaust system. Special components conceived specifically for the new Z4 Roadster ensure a throaty chortle mak­ing the sound of the engine a genuine experience in acoustics through­out the entire speed range. Precise and spontaneous sound feedback re­flecting the current level of engine load thus accentuates the agile character of the new Z4 Roadster.

Performance and Efficiency of a New Standard.

Lightweight technology has a significant influence on the car’s performance and efficiency in practice, where the BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0i raises the bench­mark significantly: Acceleration from 0–100 km/h comes in 5.7 sec­onds, two tenths of a second faster than on the former model. Acceleration from 80–120 km/h in fourth gear, in turn, is also faster than before, this time in just 5.5 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph, and fuel consumption is a mere 8.6 litres premium plus/100 km (equal to 32.8 mpg Imp) in the combined EU cycle.

Everything but Mediocre: the 2.5-Litre Six-Cylinder.

Developing maximum output of 160 kW/218 hp, the 2.5-litre straight-six makes the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5si one of the most powerful open sports cars in the market. This engine has also become even more powerful than its predecessor, offering extra torque in the process of 250 Newton-metres or 184 lb-ft maintained consistently between 2,750 and 4,250 rpm and acce­lerating the Z4 2.5si to 100 km/h in a mere 6.5 seconds. Acceleration from 80–120 km/h (50–75 mph) in 6.5 seconds again proves the engine’s superior torque and pulling force, with the Z4 2.5si reaching a top speed of 240 km/h or 149 mph. Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is an economical 8.4 litres premium plus/100 km, equal to 33.6 mpg Imp. And again, this engine na­ture­ally fulfils the EU4 and ULEV II emission standards.

The “Small� Six-Cylinder Now with Larger Capacity.

The six-cylinder power unit is also featured in the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.5i with engine output reduced to 130 kW/177 hp and maximum torque of 230 Newton-metres or 169 lb-ft. This engine replaces the former Z4 Roadster 2.2i, the extra capacity of the 2.5-litre power unit offering the customer a lot more power, performance and torque particularly when accelerating from low speeds.

Again, the engine’s performance data guarantees roadster motoring at its best, with acceleration from 0–100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. The intermediate sprint in fourth gear from 80–120 km/h, in turn, takes just 7.0 seconds, and the car’s top speed is an equally impressive 229 km/h or 142 mph. At the same time this superior six-cylinder makes do with just 8.2 litres premium plus/100 km (34.5 mpg Imp) and naturally fulfils the EU4 and ULEV II emis­sion standards, like the other models in the range.

A further advantage is that the driver is now able to check the oil level on all engines without having to make his hands dirty – all you have to do is press a button to see the amount of oil currently in the engine.

The driving experience provided by both 2.5-litre power units is once again far more than what the simple facts and figures would appear to offer: All of the straight-six power units within the range offer best-in-class driving dy­namics and excellent running smoothness typical of BMW, combined with a supreme response when just stroking the gas pedal. They come with a crank­case made of composite aluminium/magnesium, a special bedplate structure and a cylinder head cover also made of magnesium, together with BMW’s innovative VALVETRONIC valve control system, double-VANOS, four valve technology, adaptive knock control, and a resonance intake system.

BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i – Entering the World of the Genuine Two-Seater.

The two-litre four-cylinder in the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i rounds off the range of engines in the Z4 Roadster family. Developing maximum output of 110 kW/150 hp at 6,200 rpm and peak torque of 200 Newton-metres or 147 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm, the straight-four once again ensures superior dynamics and undiluted roadster pleasure almost equal to its six-cylinder brothers: Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h comes in just 8.2 seconds, with the car being just as quick in acceleration fro 80–120 km/h in fourth gear. Top speed, in turn, is a superior 220 km/h or 136 mph, and fuel consumption of just 7.5 premium plus/100 kilometres (equal to 37.7 mpg Imp) makes the four-cylinder a very economical, fuel-efficient power unit. Last but not least, the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i – what else? – again fulfils the EU4 emission standard.

The four-cylinder naturally offers the special touch of BMW in every respect, benefiting from BMW’s latest innovations such as fully variable VALVE­TRONIC valve management as well as infinitely controlled double-VANOS camshaft adjustment on both the intake and outlet side. Another feature is the DISA intake system, a BMW technology able to adjust the length of the oscillating pipes as a function of engine load. In conjunction with engine man­agement, this particular technology ensures a level of responsiveness to the gas pedal previously offered only by a sports engine with individual throttle butterflies. And at the same time two balance shafts guarantee su­preme running smoothness at all times.

Boasting its four-cylinder power unit, the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0i is tailor-made for a new, additional target group so far beyond the range of the six-cylinder models, despite their superior features. These are people who, on the one hand, wish to experience the incomparable feeling of an agile, open sports car, while, on the other hand, do not attach that much importance to the supreme power and muscle of a large-capacity six cylinder.

DDC – Just Press a Button for Extra Driving Dynamics.

The dyed-in-the-wool BMW driver, however, will always go for a BMW six-cylinder – and now he – or she – can enjoy even more power and perform­ance thanks to BMW’s optional DDC Dynamic Drive Control: Simply press­ing the DDC button, the driver is able to call up the full strength and muscle of the engine even more spontaneously in the Sports program, with engine management following an even more sporting and dynamic control map. The steering also becomes even more sporting and dynamic in the same pro­cess. If the car is fitted with automatic transmission, on the other hand, DDC revs up the gears to an even higher speed and shifts gears even more quickly than before, the BMW Z4 Roadster thus pampering even the less experienced driver with very sporting qualities and superior performance at all times.

Six Gears on All Models.

All BMW Z4 Roadsters come with a six-speed gearbox. Short and crisp gear­shift travel, superior running smoothness and precise guidance of the gearshift lever with consistent shift forces are typical of this modern trans­mission. Thanks to small increments between the lowest and highest gear, the driver benefits from an ideal transmission ratio at all times, and is able to find the right gear quickly and reliably also with a very sporting and dynamic style of motoring. Setting off quickly and smoothly, accelerating dynamically, and passing other vehicles with ease, all Z4 Roadsters offer that undiluted “kick� of a genuine sports car.

New Sport Automatic Now with Shift Paddles.

The new six-speed Sport Automatic available as an option on the Z4 Road­ster 2.5si and 3.0si combines the pleasure of Roadster motoring with supe­rior comfort also in a sports car. The Z4 Roadster 2.5i, in turn, is optionally available with a new six-speed automatic transmission focusing more on superior comfort, while the Z4 Roadster 2.0i does not come with automatic gearshift.

With small increments between the six gears and the large range of gear ratios from top to bottom, the automatic transmission again ensures superior performance on a small amount of fuel. A particular forte of the automatic transmission is the very harmonious transition between gears – and unlike the manual gearboxes, sixth gear is not conceived as an overdrive, econ­omy gear.

So while the manual gearbox models reach their top speed in fifth gear, the BMW Z4 Roadster with automatic transmission reaches it top speed in sixth gear, again in the interest of more dynamic performance.

Sport Automatic allows the driver to take over transmission control whenever he wishes, shift paddles on the steering wheel ensuring an extremely fast gearshift with direct transition to the manual mode. When shifting down, in turn, Sport Automatic changes gears with interim gas much faster than a con­ventional automatic transmission. The integrated Steptronic function en­ables the driver to initiate a manual gearshift just by briefly moving the se­lec­tor lever. To activate Steptronic, all the driver has to do is move the selec­tor lever to the appropriate gearshift gate or press the shift paddles.