Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, BMW
Officially Official: 2009 BMW Z4
by Alex Nunez on Dec 13th 2008 at 8:30PM 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 BMW Z4
BMW will unveil the all-new Z4 roadster at the Detroit Auto Show next month, but there's no need to wait for the show in Motown to see the car in non-spyshot form, as all the Euro-spec details were officially released when the clock struck midnight in Munich. We're into the new bodywork, which is pretty voluptuous compared to the preceding model, with a hint of 507 lineage evident in the car's lines. Follow the jump for the rest of the skinny.
Gallery: 2009 BMW Z4
Up front, wide double-kidney grilles establish an aggressive face. Out back, the tail is cleaner and more elegant than the current car's, featuring simpler, wraparound taillamps with attractive lighting effects. The biggest change of all, of course, can be found in the roofline. As was the case in the 3 Series, the soft top has been retired in favor of a retractable metal roof. There's a subtle "double-bubble" effect evident when it's in place, and its use reportedly improves outward visibility with the top up. 20 seconds is how long you need to wait for it to raise or stow.
European models have three engine selections, and the Z4 employs BMW's ridiculous new naming scheme, as first seen on the X6. The Z4 sDrive23i is probably Euro-only, powered by a 2.5L inline-6 making 204 horses via a six-speed manual or automatic. Next up is the Z4 sDrive30i, which features the normally-aspirated 3.0L I6 we're all familiar with. Here, it makes 258 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to get it to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds (with the stick). Fun times. the sDrive30i also comes with either a 6-speed manual or automatic. Those of you looking for the ass-kicker Z4 want the sDrive35i, which gets the excellent twin-turbo 3.0L and 306 horsepower. 0-62 takes 5.2 seconds with the manual tranny, but you shave a tenth off that if you opt for the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Inside, the cabin is refreshingly simple with attractive wood accents, slick-looking new HVAC controls and a straightforward cockpit layout. iDrive has now made its way into the Z4, but it's the new, allegedly more intuitive version that was first introduced in the new 7 Series. The LCD display sinks into the instrument panel when not in use.
So, best Z3/Z4 yet? Probably. We'll crawl all over it next month in Detroit, after which we'll be impatiently awaiting some real seat time, which ought to be a kick.
Gallery: 2009 BMW Z4
[Source: BMW]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
eric 8:42PM (12/13/2008)
I like it! BMW did a really good job with this version
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Khanh 12:11AM (12/14/2008)
I agree, until you put the roof up....
As long as the roof stays down its a beauty
klitorisaurus 12:48AM (12/14/2008)
I like it too! There's a few parts of the Z4 I'm gonna miss but change is inevitable and this one looks good. I'm gonna miss the coupe version the most. Most people hated it but I loved the look of the M Coupe! Something about those long nose E-type coupe dimensions excites me.
Berto 2:15AM (12/14/2008)
Fo Sho.
With the top up: Eh
With the top down: Awesome!
I cannot wait to see an M version of this. If they stick to the M styling from the e92, then this thing will look really good.
BMW should just go nuts and make two M versions of this:
- A light roadster with no top at all (Maybe an optional emergency "umbrella" like soft top like in the Murcielago roadster)
- A coupe version
Although BMW might keep up with the direction its going and come up with something stupid like an ZX4 or something...
Information Central 2:41AM (12/14/2008)
It's a big improvement, especially in the rear. The old ass-end looked plasticky and cheap. The "creased" look along the sides is tacky and dated, however, as it was the day it hit the market. As a pervasive theme throughout BMW's line, it's a bad decision and stylistic dead end that they need to reverse as quickly as possible.
Chase 11:34AM (12/14/2008)
Its a good solid evolution of the old design.
I'm just excited about the N54 making another showing. That's simply an amazing motor. I bet a Z4 with it will FLY.
3seriesisking 2:48PM (12/14/2008)
Couldn't agree more. She's really quite a beauty. I'll be anxious to see one in person.
Under Pressure 8:43PM (12/13/2008)
So it's like a z4 and a z8 made love and out came this abomination (with the worst attributes of both). I liked the original z4 much better. This one is too tame.
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Auari 8:46PM (12/13/2008)
agree 100%
homunculus 9:11PM (12/13/2008)
there's no accounting for taste.
i thought the z fender slash with roundel on the original z4 was insufferable, disgusting, and tasteless. also the grille and headlights of the original looked like a sloth with down syndrome.
this is bearable.
gearhead18 9:22PM (12/13/2008)
It's funny because I really liked the Z8 and this car seems to have taken two gorgeous cars and combined them into the most awkward looking thing I've seen in along time, kinda like the Aztek
Stingers 9:49PM (12/13/2008)
I absolutely loved the Z4, especially the M coupe. This dumbing-down is a HUGE dissapointment. The subtleness works on the 7-Series, but not on a Z car. The Z8 was all class, and the Z4 was all about "look at me I'm fast." This car is neither and uglier than even the Z1, IMO
zamafir 12:36AM (12/14/2008)
this looks like ass.
Jake B 3:07AM (12/14/2008)
If you got it in red it would look like a giant clown shoe. WEAK!
timurjonchik 8:44PM (12/13/2008)
WOW this car is amazing.
Good Job BMW
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Smegley 8:45PM (12/13/2008)
I'll be sure to let the chick down the hall at work know her next clowncar has arrived.
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Sid 8:49PM (12/13/2008)
A big MEH. The Z4 was the only BMW I actually liked. It was small, had tight lines and an 'attitude'. I could photograph it for hours and I'd still find angles This one is just another hardtop convertible.
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Auari 8:53PM (12/13/2008)
So far the only BMW I've ever enjoyed looking at is 850CSi
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dannyccmc 9:30PM (12/13/2008)
+1, 8 series looked fantastic. Wouldn't mind a Z8 either.
Cole Mitguard 4:55AM (12/14/2008)
The 8 series was amazing... those looks still kill even today. And I will have to say +2 for saying the Csi model... more ponies and better suspension to an already killer looking car=perfection.