BMW recently revealed the new face-lifted Z4 model, which is finally re-entering production after its two-year hiatus back in 2016. The range is set to arrive early next year and is populated by three variants - sDrive20i, sDrive30i and the full-fat performance M40i model. Seems appropriate to have three options, given how it's the third-generation Z4!
The new Z4 was developed as part of an unlikely partnership between BMW and Toyota - both the BMW Z4 and upcoming Toyota Supra will share the same platform and be built in the same place to aid in reducing costs, however we do hope that both cars have an entirely different feel from one another; unlike in the past when Toyota/Subaru joined forces to develop the GT86/BRZ sports coupe.
The two cars can't be that similar though, a recent comment from Masayuki Kai, the chief engineer of the upcoming Toyota Supra, said "We agreed on the packaging, like where is the hip-point of the driver, what's the wheelbase, the width, where's the fuel tank, where's the A-pillar, this was around the middle of 2014... After that we completely separated our team. After that, no communication with each other."
What we do know for certain is that the Z4 will only be available as a convertible (soft-top only) whereas the Supra will be a coupe. Speaking of the roof, it can be operated up to 31 mph and takes roughly 10 seconds to complete the transition. With BMW opting for a soft-top instead of a metal hard-top, the centre of gravity will be slightly lower and adds an extra smidge of boot space. Plus, with the new Supra on the horizon, the two cars could potentially cannibalise each other in the market share if they were to both share the same feature.
New BMW Z4 Engine Specs
As for the engine, most of the news has surrounded the Z4 M40i model which features a 3.0L twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine, as is BMW tradition. The purists out there will be disappointed that the flagship model will only be available in an 8-speed automatic transmission (though it does have flappy paddles). Take a look at the full statistics of each engine below -
| Engine Name | Fuel | Engine Size | Transmission | 0-62 | Horsepower | Top Speed | Combined MPG | CO2 |
| sDrive20i | Petrol | 2.0L | Automatic | 6.6s | 197bhp | 149mph | 46.3mpg | 139g/km |
| sDrive30i | Petrol | 2.0L | Automatic | 5.4s | 258bhp | 155mph | 46.3mpg | 139g/km |
| M40i | Petrol | 3.0L | Automatic | 4.6s | 340bhp | 155mph | 38.2mpg | 168g/km |
Trim Levels
There are three trim levels available for the new Z4 - Sport, M Sport and Z4 M40i. Each progressively adding extra styling and performance upgrades.
Sport
- 18" Alloy Wheels
- Cruise Control
- M Sport seats
- Sports leather steering wheel
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Heated Seats
M Sport
- 18" M Sport Alloy Wheels
- M Sport Styling
- M Sport Brakes
- Aluminium Tetragon Interior Trim
Z4 M40i
- 19" M Performance Alloy Wheels
- M-Performance Trapezoidal exhausts
- Adaptive Suspension
- M-Sport Differential
- Electronically Adjustable Memory Seats
- Lumbar Support
Interior
On the inside, you'll see two 10.2-inch screens, one featuring BMW's popular iDrive 7.0 infotainment system and the other replacing the traditional analogue dials, along with a heads-up display and a customisable instrument cluster. It's leaps ahead over the previous Z4 and gives the car a much more modern feel to it, much like the new 3 series.
Is there a Z4M?
BMW haven't announced anything relating to an official M Division model for the Z4 yet however, speculation says we may not see one at all, as Toyota seems to be taking more of a performance approach with the Supra, hinting at potential GRMN editions which we've seen for the Yaris.
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