Photo: BMW
For the all-new Z4, the people at Magna Steyr and BMW joined forces once again. Production of the two-seat roadster commenced at the Graz plant in Austria at the beginning of the month, and the Z4 will arrive at European dealers in the first quarter of 2019.
The soft-top convertible in the photograph is the M40i, which costs €63,750 in Germany and boasts 340 PS from an inline-six engine. The sDrive30i has 258 PS and costs €52,190. Last, but certainly not least, the sDrive20i completes the range, starting at €46,450 for a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 197 PS. Regardless of engine option, the Z4 comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Over in the United States, the M40i in First Edition flavor comes with no less than 382 horsepower. The 369 pound-feet of maximum torque make their presence felt at 1,600 rpm, translating to 4.4 seconds from zero to 60 miles per hour. All in all, the Z4 isn’t a slow car. But there’s a lot of potential left untapped, and the prospect of a Z4 M isn’t looking good.
If we can focus for a moment on the the bigger picture, it’s a shame the Z4 won’t get the M treatment because the beancounters couldn't care less, more so if you bear in mind the CLuster ARchitecture is shared with the 3 Series. Regarding the compact executive sedan, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine in the M3 is capable of 500 horsepower or thereabouts.
Toyota prepares to take the veil off the 2020 Supra next year at the Detroit Auto Show, and as you all know, the Z4 serves as the building block for the Japanese model. Codenamed J29 compared to G29 for the BMW, the Supra will be manufactured by Magna Steyr as well.
Coincidence or not, Toyota confirmed that it had developed a six-speed manual transmission for the Supra, which will roll out in right-hand drive markets in the first instance. BMW, on the other hand, is keeping its lips tighlty shut about offering a three-pedal setup in the Z4.
Over in the United States, the M40i in First Edition flavor comes with no less than 382 horsepower. The 369 pound-feet of maximum torque make their presence felt at 1,600 rpm, translating to 4.4 seconds from zero to 60 miles per hour. All in all, the Z4 isn’t a slow car. But there’s a lot of potential left untapped, and the prospect of a Z4 M isn’t looking good.
If we can focus for a moment on the the bigger picture, it’s a shame the Z4 won’t get the M treatment because the beancounters couldn't care less, more so if you bear in mind the CLuster ARchitecture is shared with the 3 Series. Regarding the compact executive sedan, the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine in the M3 is capable of 500 horsepower or thereabouts.
Toyota prepares to take the veil off the 2020 Supra next year at the Detroit Auto Show, and as you all know, the Z4 serves as the building block for the Japanese model. Codenamed J29 compared to G29 for the BMW, the Supra will be manufactured by Magna Steyr as well.
Coincidence or not, Toyota confirmed that it had developed a six-speed manual transmission for the Supra, which will roll out in right-hand drive markets in the first instance. BMW, on the other hand, is keeping its lips tighlty shut about offering a three-pedal setup in the Z4.
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