General Introduction

German company BMW started producing the BMW Z4 in 2002 as the successor to the BMW Z3. The BMW in actuality is a revised version of its predecessor, with improvements made in the new version based on the older vehicle's flaws. With a somewhat stiffer chassis, the Z4 was built in Spartanburg, South Carolina with the idea of making it bigger and significantly more power than the vehicle that came before it. Available first in roadster form or the E85, upon release, this vehicle was only available in this guise until 2006. The coupe version was then released soon afterwards and came to be known as the E86.

Design

Designed by Chris Bangle, the BMW Z4 was the first model that he used his controversial “flame surfacing” design on. His design technique, which also featured aggressive styling selections, became the norm for other modern BMW models as well. These are most visible among the 5 series and the 7 series.

The BMW Z4 has a front suspension somewhat similar to that of the older Z3, but the Z4's rear suspension is a different story altogether. The Z4 has a more sophisticated multi-link suspension, which is far removed from the semi-trailing arm suspension of its sibling. This Luxury class car is built on an FR platform, or front-engine, rear-wheel drive system. This typical 20th century layout translates to a simpler engine cooling system and often gives the vehicle better grip or traction in higher speeds by transferring weight to the rear wheels. Since this layout is better suited for automobiles with engine outputs that go as high as or higher than 200 bph, it is no wonder most luxury cars and sports cars use this type of layout.

In 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW showcased the Bangle-designed concept of the Z4 coupe. An updated version of a Z4 3.0 L automobile was then announced as available for purchase in the United States of America starting June of 2006. A high-end version of this car, otherwise known as the M series, was also slated to be released at the same time, with a 3.2 L engine.

Engine

The BMW Z4 comes with a choice of 4 engine types, all available in the United States. The 2.2 L, 2.5 L, 3.0 L and the 3.2 L are all variants of an engine type known as the straight-six type. This kind of engine, sometimes called Inline-6 or even I6, is an internal combustion engine. This type of engine is known to have perfect primary as well as secondary balance with its six cylinders all placed in a single row. With perfect balance, the engine then does not require a balance shaft. The only transmission type available for all engine types and models is the five-speed automatic. All other models can also be had with a five-speed manual transmission, except for the 3.0 L variant. The 3.0 L vehicle utilizes a six-speed Getrag semi-manual transmission.

The M series of the BMW Z4 also came in the roadster and coupe designs. Unveiled in 2006, this car version uses the 3.2 L, 330 HP engine of the E46-M3, but uses a different transmission. Since the original six-speed transmission of the original M3 did not fit the Z4-M models, a new six-speed transmission was then utilized. With hydraulic rack and pinion steering, stability control, a variable M limited-slip differential and cross drilled rotors, the M series of the BMW Z4 has been reported to go from 0 to 60 MPH in approximately 4.9 seconds, reaching a 250 KMH limited top speed.

Recent Achievements

Powerful engines that reach such speeds in such a short time would often mean that a car would eventually make its way onto a professional racetrack. The BMW Z4 M Coupe is no exception. It won the Silverstone Britcar 24 hour race with these four men, namely Dieter Quester, Dirk Werner, Jamie Campell-Walter and Tim Mullen, using a slightly modified version of the car.

What The Critics Have To Say

With prices ranging from a starting amount of $36,000.00 to $42,000.00 and sterling performances both on and off the track, it is no wonder that the BMW Z4 keeps on earning accolades from car enthusiasts and automobile magazines worldwide.