BMW Z Models 2009 News

First look: Audi Q5Mazda3 MPS: world debut in MelbourneFirst look: Toyota PriusFirst look: Holden CruzeFirst look: 2009 Ford Focus rangeFirst look: Ford Fiesta ECOnetic turbo-dieselFirst look: 2009 Ford TerritoryFirst look: Ford Mondeo Zetec wagonHSV E-Series Senator SignatureFirst drive: Subaru Stella electric carSubaru Stella joins plug-in pushToyota Prius, Hybrid Camry and 1/xCareers for car fansHolden Monaro from HALSuzuki Alto hatchFR1 to be auctionedFR1 the new heroBentley Continental GTC: amazing graceRenault Koleos an off-roads scholarSales make for testing times ‘09Future motoring explainedSafety advances on showHyundai i30 blue and i10 blueNissan 370Z …good sportsMitsubishi I MiEV …Power playIt’s electricVW Golf gets new stylePeugeot 308CC back in the foldMazda3 …small is beautifulLotus Evora No.1 for sports car enthusiastsLexus LF-A Roadster coming to MelbourneLamborghini Spyder LP560-4 and Murcielago LP640FR1 concept hotrod from a metal masterBMW M1 homageAudi Q5 and RS6 set paceNew 2009 Ford Territory Melbourne Motor Show wrapby Paul GoverSupermodels and colourful supercars blew the grey clouds away from the Australian motor industry yesterday.A sales slump and gloomy profit forecasts were forgotten as more than$15 million worth of shiny new cars, from exotic dream machines to tiny city runabouts, was unveiled at the opening of the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.There were more than 20 newcomers on the show stands, from the Audi Q5 SUV and BMW's smooth new Z4 coupe-convertible to the family-focussed Subaru Exiga wagon.The lineup at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre is a reflection of the diversity and complexity of the Australian motoring scene, as well as the commitment from companies to push ahead despite the global economic uncertainty."I wouldn't say the mood is exactly optimistic, but there is great resilience. There are a lot of good news stories here," the former head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, John Conomos, said.The three Australian carmakers all had important newcomers, from the Holden Cruze and Toyota Prius hybrid to the updated Ford Territory, but they resisted the temptation for an over-the-top splash."This show is about much more than cars, it's about Holden's future,"said company chairman, Mark Reuss."We could easily have shown you a wild concept or show car, but this is not the show for that. Today it's about providing real solutions."Holden used the show to also make another value push with its Commodore sedan and Sportwagon, introducing an 'International' value pack.The show is also the last in Melbourne until 2011, as a joint-venture deal has recently been struck which will see an all-new Australian Motor Show alternating with Sydney from 2010."We are expecting a good turnout. There is a lot to see and people are still interested in cars," said show boss, Russ Tyrie of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce.The motor show runs each day until Monday, March 9. 

News cruisers are parked-up and beaming pictures before 6am as the temperature hovers around minus 10 and snow flurries drift through the pre-dawn blackness.By 9am there are union workers carrying placards in support of the Big Three outside Cobo Hall in downtown motown, as the great and the good from the world's motor industry arrive for the first major event of 2009.The buzz is down from recent years, with less security and fewer journalists jetting in for the action, but still there are major unveilings, technology, important speeches and so much more over the first two days.The North American International Motor Show is more than just glitz and glamour for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler in 2009 - this is the day when they have to deliver for the first time on the promises in Washington which have earned a government-backed rescue package.That means GM opens the action with a rolling cavalcade of 17 models which promise exactly what the government wants - hybrids, electric cars and regular production models which do better than 10 litres/100km in fuel economy.The headliner once again is the Chevrolet Volt, except this time it is wrapped in Cadillac bodywork and called the Converj - with the added bonus of a plug-in connection to its onboard battery system.Lexus is next and does its number around the brand's first dedicated hybrid, the HS250h, which was originally only planned for America but will now go to more than 80 countries.Then Ford becomes the second of the Big Three to present its position for 2010 and beyond, with an all-new Taurus family car - perhaps a pointer to something on the Falcon front - and the promise of an all-new electric car with a 160-kilometre range by 2011.Company chairman Bill Ford takes the stand to deliver on the company's promises to Washington, even though it was the only local not to take a multi-billion dollar loan."Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future. I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge," Ford says.Then Chrysler, which many American analysts believe cannot survive the global economic meltdown, gets its turn and does a top job with the great looking new 200C family car and a range of electrics which shows it has not given up hope.It's best looker is the Dodge Circuit, which is most like a battery-powered Lotus sports car."The Dodge Circuit EV offers an extremely fun-to-drive, expressive sports car without fuel consumption and with virtually no impact on the environment,” says the vice-president of design at Dodge, Ralph Gilles.By now, after just two hours of the first press preview day, the pattern for Detroit '09 is set.The home team is going big on the cars it needs to make - even if Americans are still buying BIG with the drop in pump petrol prices - but there is more sizzle than steak because they have started way behind the Japanese and Europeans.And Cobo Hall looks sparse. There are fewer brands, fewer cars and none of the bold-and-brassy unveilings - Chrysler has always led the world in motor show stunts - which have been a signature of the Detroit show.“All I know is we took about 50 per cent out of the cost of our stand,” says the car boss at General Motors, Bob Lutz.“We took away a lot of the structures, such as salad bowl-shaped Saturn stands, and towers with holographic displays.”But he still applies some positive spin as everyone talks up the chances for the Big Three, even in the face of a selloff of the Hummer and Saab divisions at GM.“The fact that we don’t have any of that stuff gives our stand a much more businesslike and cleaner appearance. I think they cluttered up the stand. I imagine it’s going to be much the same around the show," Lutz says.As usual, the 80-plus former fighter pilot is right.BMW joins the hybrid rush at Detroit with news of its petrol-electric X6, thankfully with the all-new Z4 sportster to provide some glamour, as Volkswagen provides the best looking car of the show with its Concept BlueSport.The gorgeous VW is most like a Mazda MX-5, but promises Prius-buster fuel economy in the 4.3 litres/100km range and, without any promise of production, it clearly could have a future.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability," says Volkswagen.“The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes an unmistakeable statement in terms of sustainability.”The next big mover in Cobo Hall is Kia, which shows a funky pick-up built on its baby Soul. The Soul'ster is never going to be an Aussie workhorse but will hit the Gen-Y button for America, and California in particular.As the first day in Detroit winds into darkness and more frigid weather, Subaru kicks the action with a preview of its new Liberty - called the Legacy in the USA - Jaguar runs out its high-performance R version of the landmark XF and Volvo shows the most adventurous concept car in its history, pointing to the next S60."The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you here and now that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise," says Volvo boss, Stephen Odell.Ford goes again to start day two at Cobo, with its Lincoln-Mercury models, then its back to Maserati and then GM pushes the home game hard with an announcement that the batteries for its Volt will be built in the USA. It's a boost for local jobs, more hard news on the Volt, and just what Washington will want before the Big Three report back on their survival plans at the end of March.And then there is a shock - at least for the Americans - as Chinese cars make the mainstream in Detroit for the first time and little-known BYD confirms it will be selling the world's first production plug-in electric car by 2010.The last big event of Detroit '09 is the one everyone already knows about - the new Toyota Prius.The list of 'firsts' is impressive as the car is unveiled, from its drag co-efficient to more luxury and a more-efficient battery system. But Honda has already undercut the third-generation Prius on price with its Insight, which is headlining for the brand in Detroit, and there is no sign of a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery pack.But the Prius has solar-powered air-conditioning to cool the car when it is parked, is bigger and quieter inside, and is certain to become the world's best selling hybrid. The car comes with more than 1000 new patents on technology and a claim of 3.9 litres/100km economy."Prius is more than a hybrid, it’s a solution. No longer is it a second car or a passing fad. In many households, it has become the primary family car," says Bob Carter of Toyota USA.There is other stuff to see in Detroit, and some things are obviously missing _ the Mercedes E-Class was an invitation-only event and Rolls-Royce is holding its all-new RR4 for the Geneva Motor Show in March - but the overall verdict on 2009 is surprisingly positive.Cars are still big news, look good and make promises of a better and more enjoyable life on the road.But the big question remains. Did the Big Three do enough, and show enough in Detroit, to convince the American government that they deserve the support it will take to get them through the biggest crisis in the history of the automobile? 

Icy winds and snow are blowing across Motown, dumping on the auto capital of the world at a time when American politicians are applying relentless pressure for a major shift in the way that General M

The macho two-seater hardtop has been dropped as the German brand goes for a lighter touch with an all-new Z4 which will reach Australia next June.BMW has rolled its roadster and coupe into a single car with a much more elegant look and the coupe-convertible body which has become the default setting for European sunshine cars.Prices will rise slightly in Australia, with a bottom line in the $80,000-plus range, but BMW is promising more go, better value and a range of high-tech equipment including the driver-adjustable performance packing from the upcoming 7 Series flagship."The new Z4 will have the same Dynamic Drive Control used in the 7 Series, with three settings to vary the drivetrain and suspension," says Toni Andreevski of BMW Australia."The car will be a little more expensive but it will still be very competitive with its competition. We believe it will still be the best value and with the best performance."The new Z4 has just been revealed in pre-Christmas pictures which are sure to spark an international gift drive, with the first cars expected to hit the road in time for the next European spring.The shots show a car which will have much more appeal to women, as the previous Z4 — which was launched in the middle of 2003 — hit hardest with men who wanted an M-style muscle machine.The new Z4 is considerably longer, and a little lower and wider, with a cabin that gives more space for people and luggage. There is a ute- style storage area behind the twin buckets and boot capacity has been raised to as much as 310 litres.Its two-piece hardtop roof can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds.The Z4 will only come with six-cylinder engines, with three powerplants up to a 3-litre twin-turbo with 225kW and 400Nm of torque. The basic engine has 150kW and the speedy flagship can make a 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 seconds.The cars will have a standard six-speed manual gearbox, with a six- speed auto except for a double-clutch seven-speeder on the 3-litre pacesetter.BMW is also touting the cars' green ability, with fuel economy as good as 8.9 litres/100km.But the new Z4 also picks up the crazy new number-and-name system introduced by BMW with the X6, which means the cars will be called the Z4 sDrive23i, the Z4 sDrive30i and Z4 sDrive35i.BMW says the naming reflects the sports driving of the Z4, where the X6 is called the xDrive, and allows it to highlight the difference between models."The badges reflect the performance, not the engine capacity, and give us the ability to differentiate between two engines with the same capacity when one is a turbo," Andreevski says.A lot of work has gone into the new Z4 on everything from larger side windows and wider-opening doors to improved performance and driving feel.But the car is 170 kilograms heavier than the outgoing coupe.The styling is claimed to be more elegant, and has picked up some cues from the limited-edition Z8 roadster used by James Bond before 007 was lured back to Aston Martin. It is considerable longer in the nose, probably in part to satisfy pedestrian-protection rules in Europe."It has a long bonnet and you will sit lower and still just ahead of the rear axle. It's classic sports car," says Andreevski."The wider-opening doors mean it is easier to get in and out. And visibility has been improved, with more shoulder and elbow room in the cabin."Standard equipment will include the Dynamic Drive Control and a 12- gigabyte music hard drive, although final details will not be set until just ahead of the Australian arrival.BMW Australia knows the Z4 will be up against the Mercedes SLK and Audi TT but believes its good looking newcomer will have a couple of crucial advantages."It maintains the dynamic lead. And there is a lot more storage space, not just in the boot but also behind the seats," Andreevski says.The arrival of the Z4 will come during a big push by BMW Australia, which lands the high-performance version of the X6 in January, the new flagship 7 Series from April and the 330d in June, as well as the Mini Cabrio in April."The timing means drivers will have it perfectly run-in in time for spring 2009," Andreevski laughs. 

BMW this month launches its Z4 Coupe and Z4 M Coupe in Australia with a price advantage. The 195kW three-litre Z4 Coupe will cost $87,900 in six-speed manual and $90,500 in six-speed Steptronic auto, which is $3300 less than the Roadster. It also compares favourably with the SLK 350 at $114,400 and the Cayman at $118,000. The 252kW 3.2litre Z4 M Coupe comes in six-speed manual only at $127,200, which compares with the SLK 55 at $163,400 and Cayman S $148,500. The price differential from BMW Roadster to Coupe is $3300. BMW also claims its Coupes are faster, lighter and more fuel efficient. The Z4 Coupes will arrive with similar features to the Roadster models such as dynamic stability control which can be totally switched off, cornering brake control, dynamic traction control and dual front and side airbags. The M model adds Bluetooth mobile phone capability, sat nav, TV and an audio system that makes a lot of noise. BMW claims the Z4 Roadster and Coupe are the first European vehicles with audio systems to receive THX certification. That accreditation is only given to audio output and speakers that are endorsed by Lucas Films, the makers of the Star Wars movies. BMW uses Carver speakers which allow high sound pressures from small speaker sizes. They use 10 speakers including two subwoofers and achieve a total output of 430 watts. BMW claims potential buyers are mainly males aged 35 to 45 years with an appreciation of high-end audio systems. But the Z4s are not just about noise; they are also about performance, boasting a stiffer chassis, stiffer suspension and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5 seconds. How the Z4 handles Australian roads will be revealed over the next few days of the Australian launch through the twists and turns of Tasmania.   FAST FACTS BMW Z4 and Z4 M Coupe Engines: straight 6, 2996cc (195kW/315Nm); 3246cc (252kW/365Nm) Transmission: 6-speed manual (Z4 , Z4 M), 6-speed Steptronic auto (Z4) Fuel: 55L tank, 8.9L/100km (man Z4), 12.1L (Z4 M), 9L (Z4 auto) CO2 emissions (g/km): 213 (man Z4), 216 (Z4 auto), 292 (Z4 M) Kerb weight (kg): 1320 (man Z4), 1350 (auto Z4), 1420 (Z4 M) Available: This month Price: $87,900 (6-speed manual), $90,500 (6-speed auto), $127,200 (M) Mark Hinchliffe is a senior roadtester on the CARSguide team and also editor of the Courier Mail CARSguide. A full review of the Z4, as well as other news, reviews and analysis will appear in the Courier Mail CARSguide this Saturday.