BMW Z4 could come under $70,000

An updated BMW Z4 roadster will reach us Down Under at about the time the new financial year ticks over. Which may be good news for those who have done all right in the 2012/13 year, because a new entry-level model, the BMW Z4 sDrive18i, will be one of the most eagerly awaited models in the shipment.

VALUE

BMW Australia won’t reveal the price until closer to the launch, but can we speculate that it will be somewhere in the high $60s? That’s going to be a significant drop from the current $77,500 entry price for the BMW Z4 sDrive20i -- putting the BMW Z4 into closer reach for a lot of buyers.

ENGINES

The new BMW Z4 sDrive18i (why does BMW insist on these extraordinarily complex model names?) is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with BMW’s highly efficient TwinPower turbo technology. It produces maximum power output of 115 kW. Peak torque of 240 Nm is brilliant, spread from just 1250 rpm and is there all the way up to 4400 revs.

As befits a pure sports model, the Z4 sDrive18i is fitted as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. An eight-speed sports automatic is an option.

The 18i accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a sporty 7.9 seconds with the six-speed manual box, (the automatic is a little slower at 8.1 seconds).

The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package for the new BMW Z4 sDrive18i includes twin-scroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft control.

TECHNOLOGY

The optional BMW Individual hardtop, available in Black non-metallic and Glacier Silver metallic, adds to the appearance for the person wanting to stand out in the styling crowd. The hardtop can be opened while the Z4 is moving at up to 40 km/h, further adding to its practicality. If rain is looming you can keep the car topless knowing you only have to slow down, push the button and be secure again.

The standard bi-xenon headlights of the revised BMW Z4 have a very slim design and extend well back into the front guards. There are LED daytime running lights. The integrated turn signal indicators now have chrome-coloured surrounds.

Changes to the standard interior include high-gloss black surrounds for the central air vents and the iDrive control system’s folding Control Display (where fitted).

The BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW Z4 sDrive35i and BMW Z4 sDrive35is are offered with Kansas leather trim, which is available as an option for the two other models.

STYLING

With a facelift of the body style, interior refinements and what BMW calls its new Design Pure Traction equipment package all variants of the Z4s are interesting sports machines.

BMW Z4 is a true roadster thanks to its long bonnet, stubby tail and a low seating position that’s right back at the rear axle. This is strictly a two-seater, and we admire it for that.

BMW’s ‘Design Pure Traction’ option is a vivid new equipment package that will please those who are bored with the unvarying black-on-black of too many new cars.

Such-equipped Z4's will feature bespoke Alcantara door trim and orange-coloured lower section of the instrument panel. The black leather seats have contrast stitching in Valencia Orange and an accent stripe running down the central section of the backrests and seat cushions. This stripe is likewise orange and is flanked by two thin white lines.

Another exclusive element of the Design Pure Traction package is the metal weave trim strip, which can be combined with further decorative elements in high-gloss black for the door openers and the gearshift or selector lever.