Hot on the heels of the Frankfurt premiere of its Z4 Coupe concept (“Z4 Promises Kept,” Oct. 17), BMW will expand its two-seater lineup next spring with this M version of the current Z4 roadster. Look for the car pictured here to make its world debut at the Detroit auto show in January, with sales beginning by March or April 2006.


BMW’s powered-up open-top retort to the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and Porsche Boxster S, the Z4 M roadster gets the same 3.2-liter inline- six engine as the soon-to-be-discontinued fourth-generation M3. Sitting up front in the new car’s distinctive shark-like nose, the high-strung alloy block unit produces 343 hp at 7900 rpm—a solid 78 hp more than the 3.0-liter I6 in the facelifted Z4 3.0i. It is also 43 hp more than the 3.3-liter I6 Roadster S offered by Alpina, which up until now was the fastest Z4 offered through official BMW channels. Look for the same powerplant in the M version of the Z4 Coupe when it arrives in 2007.

Drive goes though a standard six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels via BMW’s fast-acting M-differential. BMW claims the 3267-pound Z4 M roadster hits 62 mph from a standstill in 5.0 seconds—a mere 0.1 second slower than the SLK55 AMG and 0.5 second faster than the Boxster S.


The M Roadster gets a series of modifications to the McPher-son strut front and multilink rear suspension found in the standard Z4. Along with traditional measures like firmer springs and dampers and larger-diameter antiroll bars, BMW has added aluminum parts to reduce the new car’s unsprung weight. The front track is wider, while the rear track is narrower. Wheels are uniquely styled 18-inch alloys—8.0 inches wide at the front and 9.5 inches at the rear. The steering features major changes, with the M roadster adopting a quicker-ratio hydraulic assistance in place of the standard Z4’s electronically assisted rack.

Differentiating the Z4 M roadster from lesser Z4 models is a host of exterior styling changes developed by BMW’s M division. These include a deeper front spoiler with three generously sized cooling ducts, flared wheel arches, new mirror housings, widened side sills and a reworked rear bumper.

The Z4 M roadster will likely start on the high side of $50,000, slightly more expensive than the M3 Coupe but less than the M3 convertible.

MUNICH, Germany -- BMW will not offer its automated manual transmission on its latest M-badged model, a tuned-up Z4 roadster.

The transmission also will be dropped from less-powerful Z4 models, on which it now is offered as an option.

When the face-lifted Z4 debuts at the Detroit auto show in January, BMW will offer a high-performance M version of the car for the first time, said a company spokesman. But unlike BMW's M3, M5 and M6, the Z4 M will not have an SMG automated manual transmission. The car will be offered only with a six-speed manual transmission.

SMG is BMW's German abbreviation for sequential manual transmission.

MUNICH, Germany -- BMW will not offer its automated manual transmission on its latest M-badged model, a tuned-up Z4 roadster.

The transmission also will be dropped from less-powerful Z4 models, on which it now is offered as an option.

When the face-lifted Z4 debuts at the Detroit auto show in January, BMW will offer a high-performance M version of the car for the first time, said a company spokesman. But unlike BMW's M3, M5 and M6, the Z4 M will not have an SMG automated manual transmission. The car will be offered only with a six-speed manual transmission.

SMG is BMW's German abbreviation for sequential manual transmission.

BMW Z4 COUPE WILL BE OUT IN JUNE 2006. M COUPE RETURNS.

Munich. Following strong consumer reaction to the concept Z4 Coupe at the 2005 Frankfurt and Tokyo Auto Shows, BMW has confirmed that both the Z4 Coupe and an M version, the M Coupe will enter series production.
Visitors in Frankfurt and Tokyo were captivated by the car’s stylish body with its unique silken matte finish, tailored in the very best style of a classic sports coupe. While the driving dynamics potential of the vehicle was clear in its strong, purposeful lines, equally appealing to visitors was the striking interior design.
To be produced in Spartanburg, S.C., the first vehicles will be delivered to customers as early as June 2006.

The proven 255 horsepower (U.S. SAE net) in-line 6-cylinder engine with its high output and lightweight magnesium and aluminum construction promises superior agility and high performance. It not only catapults the Z4 Coupe to the top of the international competitive field but is also demonstrates the enormous performance capacity of the fundamental BMW Z4 Roadster concept – which forms the basis of the coupe.

BMW is also working to produce a high-end variation as quickly as possible and the result will be the return of the M Coupe, based on the new Z4 Coupe. Powered by the exciting 3.2-liter high-rpm engine, familiar from the BMW M3 and winner of many international awards, it will also come out in June 2006.

New images of the Z4 Coupe, along with the original concept study will be available in high resolution from November 23rd on the BMW media website http://www.press.bmwgroup.com.

More detailed information on the BMW Z4 Coupe and Z4 M Coupe will follow in early 2006.

BMW has approved the Z4 coupe and a high-performance M model for production.

Both vehicles will be built in Spartanburg, S.C.

The Z4 coupe, first shown in concept form in September at the Frankfurt auto show, will go on sale in June. It will be powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine that produces 255 hp. BMW says the coupe will use lightweight material, including magnesium and aluminum.

The high-performance M Coupe also will debut in June. It will feature a 3.2-liter engine from the BMW M3. BMW would not disclose a price range.

BMW Z4M Roadster
BMW’s powered-up open-top retort to the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and Porsche Boxster S, the Z4 M roadster gets the same 3.2-liter inline- six engine as the soon-to-be-discontinued fourth-generation M3. Sitting up front in the new car’s distinctive shark-like nose, the high-strung alloy block unit produces 343 hp at 7900 rpm—a solid 78 hp more than the 3.0-liter I6 in the facelifted Z4 3.0i. It is also 43 hp more than the 3.3-liter I6 Roadster S offered by Alpina, which up until now was the fastest Z4 offered through official BMW channels. Look for the same powerplant in the M version of the Z4 Coupe when it arrives in 2007.

Source: TopGear

January 24, 2006
BMW unveils new Z4 M Coupe
BMW is all set to launch the Z4 M Coupe this summer.

Giving the outgoing M3's 343bhp, 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine a final hurrah, the Z4 M Coupe storms from 0-62mph in just five seconds and goes on to a limited 155mph.

This performance is more than enough to have the Porsche Cayman S worried, because it can only manage 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.

The coupe body, based on the Z4 M Roadster's, is almost identical to the Coupé Concept shown at last September's Frankfurt motor show.

The two-seater carries on the tradition set by the original and unusual Z3 M Coupe - offering decent luggage space on the rear deck. For the Z4 M, there's 300 litres of cargo capacity.

However, few will spend the expected £42,000 price tag on the M Coupe for its practicality when it goes on sale in July this year, with first deliveries expected in August.

BMW's test drivers have been charging around the Nürburgring and report that the M Coupe is quicker than the Z4 M Roadster and M3, helped by brakes lifted directly form the M3 CSL.

The Z4 M Coupe will come with all of the expected luxury goodies, while buyers have the choice of three exterior colours exclusive to the Z4 M and three dedicated interior trim options.