2009 BMW Z4 Roadster official debut
December 14, 2008 by George Skentzos
BMW has officially revealed its all new Z4 Roadster following a leak of the design early last week.
The new model will go on sale from May 2009 in overseas markets as the latest in BMW’s long and successful roadster family, spanning 75 years.
The new BMW Z4 Roadster will feature a two-piece, retractable hard-top roof which can be raised or lowered in just 20 seconds.
It is also the first vehicle to be offered with adaptive M Suspension, which incorporates electronically controlled dampers which offer three different configurations and lower the ride height by up to 10mm.
The standard Drive Dynamic Control function is another first for the Z4, allowing the driver to alter the throttle and steering response, level of ride comfort, Dynamic Stability Control response and gear change times on dual clutch models.
A choice of three six-cylinder powerplants will power the new BMW Z4 range.
The flagship Z4 sDrive35i boasts the current International Engine of the Year-winning 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine, producing 228kW and 400Nm, launching from zero to 100km/h in just 5.2 seconds.
The entry-level Z4 sDrive23i uses a 2.5-litre engine which develops 152kW and 250Nm from 2,750rpm, covering zero to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds while using just 7.1-litres per 100km.
The mid-range Z4 sDrive30i uses the same magnesium aluminium alloy engine but with a higher capacity, its 3.0-litre engine developing 192kW and 310Nm, shaving the zero to 100km/h time to just 5.8 seconds.
All three models feature a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the Z4 sDrive23i and the Z4 sDrive30i can also be specified with a six-speed Sport Automatic transmission featuring gear change paddles on the steering wheel.
The Z4 sDrive35i can instead be specified with the more advanced seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission, again with gear shift paddles located on the steering wheel.
BMW’s latest generation of iDrive makes its first appearance on a Z4 with the new model, together with the BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system which features a hard disc drive capable of 12Gb of audio file storage and BMW ConnectedDrive functionality.
The unique boot construction and roof design creates a boot capacity from 180 to 310 litres, including an optional through-loading system for additional storage capability.
Local pricing and availability will be announced closer to the launch date.
Print it: 
The car looks too big for a roadster. The bonnet looks so long and the wheels are too small, i don’t think the proportion looks right. Personally, i like the old Z4 more, looks more taught like a sportscar
Definitely one of the nicer BMW designs to come out lately, I like it
Make the bad design stop mummy
If BMW had great looking cars there would be no reason to buy anything else ever. Do they not realise this?
A huge improvement on the previous model. Still not the best looking roadster available but given the way the old one drove, this should be enough to make it a winner i think.
Another colour would do it a favour.
From the top, it looks a little heavy-set, but from other angles it looks great.
But what is it with more of these stupid naming methods! Whats “sDrive” meant to be this time…
Haha another popup navi screen =P
I have mixed views on having a popup screen especially in an convertible. How in the world are you gonna be able to see anything with the roof down?
I think having it planted deeper into the dash would be more practical in a convertible because of all the exterior light that would cause horrible amounts of glare.
I know from experience that even with an open sunroof in the Lex it’s quite hard to see the screen when the sun is shining directly on it.
Reminds me of that Z8 abomination, the fact is is overweight and looks like a touring car.
I like it a lot. I agree that it should be a different colour, beige is not quite appropriate somehow. I don’t think it needs bigger wheels, but I think it needs ones that aren’t so skeletal looking as it’s quite a chunky car.
I think it’s a good thing that it’s chunky and big because it makes day to day roadster ownership a bit easier to stomach I think. For those people that want a more roadsterish roadster, there is going to be a Z2 coming soon apparently that is meant to be slightly smaller again that the current Z4 and I’m sure that will be a soft top.
I wander how it will drive as there is actually a possibility that it will be as good as a Boxster, it probably won’t be, but it could be. What’s sDrive? Where’s the promised diesel?
I love it.The first i nterior i haveerliked with woodtrima nd it looks like it has come from the CS concept also that hardtop actaull looks like a hardtop not all wird like some metal ones
To all who haven’t heard, sDrive stands for all rear-drive models, while xDrive is the all-wheel drive models sold in europe…everything is fine except the bonnet shape and the overwidened kidney grille…
The aerial is in a shocking position
I’m a fan of the design. I actually like the modernisation of the BMW range and how there is a growing trend in the “family DNA”- that is, what used to look outlandish and abnormal when it was first released, all starts to fit in now that time has passed and we can see how it pieces together. For example, on the Z4 above, the new tail lights look great and in line with other models in the BMW range.
Doesnt look balanced,too front heavy!
Actually, with the hardtop folded inside the boot, i would recon it’s more rear heavy. But that’s just my opinion. We need more specs including the front:rear weight distribution. I don’t like the tail lights though (after seeing the ones from M3 coupe)
Knowing BMW I have no doubt the front:rear weight distribution will be close to 50:50.
Front looks alot better, side needs better design and the wheels -jesus why dont they just put cement mixer wheels on it, they would look bigger….
The Z4 was never a balanced looking car, but I always liked the way it looked and this model looks great.
well i like it!=) flatter look and a pop up navigation!
I like it, but maybe its time BMW decided to go back to simpler designs. They seem so out-there nowadays and its getting a little too far. Not saying this car is ugly, but soon one of their designs will become too complicated and will be ugly! I agree this car looks front heavy but aren’t all roadsters supposed to? Also, I agree they should have less “skeletal” wheels as Alex said, cause it is a chunk car.
Steve
I like all the comments from people who will never own this car let alone any other sports car. It looks fantastic and has real presence on the road. As with all BMW designs, watch the competition copy the lines over the next couple of years as they did with when the 5 series first came out.