I recently
took BMW’s face-lifted Z4 in its most potent form for a spin. Can the roadster
keep abreast of the competition?
BMW’s Z4 is
probably one of the few cars in recent years that have aged very well, it’s
hard chiselled lines and muscular, taut stance have
withstood the test of time. Even after four years, the Z4 still looks
impeccably good, which is why BMW has kept the changes subtle
for the second facelift.
There's no hiding that
the Z4 remains to be one of the best looking roadsters in the world
The version
I’m testing here is the top of the line sDrive35is that goes head to head with
the likes of the Porsche Boxster S and the Mercedes
SLK55 AMG. BMW has added three new colors to the mix as well; my test unit came
in a striking Valencia Orange hue that never failed to turn heads everywhere I
went.
Other
aesthetic enhancements to the exterior include new “halo” LED running lights
accompanied by a slim “eyebrow” line running on top of the headlamp cluster,
matt-chrome trimming for the grille and side indicators. On the inside, you now
get Alcantara and leather trimmed seats, complete
with orange-racing stripes running down the center plus a metal-mesh like trim
for the center dash area that looks and feels incredible, giving the solidly
built interior an added sporty zing.
New to the
center console are gloss black plastic inserts and air
vents that dramatically improve the feeling of quality inside. Massive points
also have to awarded for the comfortable yet equally
supportive sport seats and that meaty M-steering wheel, both of which are on
the mark. And if that wasn’t enough, the growl from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo
straight six when you fire it up is just intoxicating.
With 340bhp and 450Nm
of torque on tap, power does not come short in the 35i
Being the
flagship Z4, the SDrive35is uses the same seven-speed M DCT transmission from
the M3. Gear changes using the paddles on the steering wheel are lightning fast
and silky smooth, allowing the driver to harness the maximum potential from the
monstrous N54 engine – which pulls all the way up to the 7,000 rpm redline.
Wide open
roads are the Z4’s element. With nearly ¾ of the car’s length stretching from
the snout to the windscreen, steering can get a little complicated as the
driver will need to adjust to the difference in turning angle as well as space
needed when negotiating tight corners and parking areas. But fret not, it might
take a few hours to get used to driving from the backseat, but once you get the
knack of it, no other roadster in recent memory has left a deeper impression on
me than the Z4.
BMW’s
standard adaptive suspension does a pretty good job of keeping the Z4’s chassis
in check with minimal flex even over rougher tarmac. This sets the premise for
a thoroughly engaging drive, which should keep purists pretty happy for a long,
long time.
Alcantara and leather combination feels like
a match made in heaven - equally comfortable on the bum and eyes
Luggage
space surprisingly was a big plus in my book; you would expect that with a
metal folding roof stored into the boot most convertibles would be left with
storage space big enough to only accommodate Chihuahua-sized packages, but not
in the Z4. Instead you get a useable 180-litres with the roof stowed and the
best part is, you can fold it down while travelling at speeds of up to 40 km/h.
The Z4 as a
whole is still a very accomplished all-round cruiser, not only has it aged
amazingly well, the flagship model; the sDrive35is still exudes style and power
to get the heart racing. The subtle exterior and cabin tweaks have breathed new
life into the Z4 keeping it up to date and suitably poised, but if that wasn’t
enough, just plant that throttle and be swept away by the awe-inspiring
twin-turbo straight-six roar.
