Autoblog

BMW bringing Z4 GT3 to North America, but still no Z4 M

Noah Joseph — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, BMW, Racing

There's something rotten in the state of Bavaria when BMW's M division is more keen to tune out crossovers than roadsters. While the previous-generation Z4 and the Z3 that preceded it both had M versions, the current Z4 has been conspicuously absent from the hall's of the BMW performance division. That could all change if the bean-counters see a good business case for a Z4 M, but in the meantime we're reportedly slated to get something even crazier: the V8-powered Z4 GT3.

The competition-spec model loses the folding roof in favor of a fixed one reinforced by a full roll cage. It also gets racing slicks and a much more aggressive aero package. But the fun part is the V8 engine from the outgoing M3, tuned to 480 horsepower and paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Inside Line has it on good authority that the Z4 GT3 will soon be available to privateer racers in America, but it will, of course, be restricted to closed tracks. And considering it costs the equivalent of over $400,000 in Europe, it hardly fills the gap left by the absence of the street-legal Z4 M we're still pining for.

BMW bringing Z4 GT3 to North America, but still no Z4 M originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Z29: Bavaria's mystery coupe revealed

John Neff — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Technology, BMW

Remember awhile back we told you about a secret car BMW was planning to unveil at the British Motor Show. The car was a no show in the U.K., but popped up yesterday on Auto Motor und Sport. The website reveals that the car, called the Z29, is an exercise in lightweight vehicle construction, lesson learned from which will later find their way into production BMWs. The Z29's resemblance to the Z4 is unmistakable, but the featherweight coupe employs extensive use of aluminum in its chassis and hardware components and carbon fiber for its body. Superfluous pounds were reportedly removed from all corners of the car. The Z29's lambo-style doors, for instance, are so light that BMW is able to get away with using only one small hinge per door. The net effect of the BMW diet is a total weight of only 2,557 lbs. With an M3's motor mounted between the front wheels, the Z29 can sprint to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 168 mph.

(More Z29 pics after the jump)

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Continue reading BMW Z29: Bavaria's mystery coupe revealed

BMW Z29: Bavaria's mystery coupe revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Aug 2006 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add a little carbon fiber to your Z4's diet

John Neff — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Car Buying, SEMA Show, Tuners, Convertible, BMW

TC Kline Racing debuted its Carbon Roadster at last year's SEMA, but we thought it was worth revisiting since we ourselves had never visited it before. The Ohio based tuner has taken a BMW Z4 M roadster and faithfully reskinned it entirely in carbon fiber, effectively shaving 500 lbs. off of the car's weight in one very expensive fell swoop. It still looks like a Z4, but with much larger fender flares to accommodate giant 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires.

A host of other alterations have been made to the $95,000 Carbon Roadster, of which only 100 will be produced. Power is spiked to 346 horsepower, up from 330 thanks to a lighter aluminum flywheel and freer flowing exhaust. So, you've got a car lighter than an S2000 and as powerful as a 911. Sounds like a winning combination, especially with the optional "Track Attack" racing package.

[Source: Inside Line]

Add a little carbon fiber to your Z4's diet originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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