NAIAS – 2009 BMW Z4
January 12, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The BMW worldwide debut of the all-new Z4 roadster was held today at the North American International Auto Show.
The new Z4, said BMW, is the company’s first roadster to employ a retractable hardtop, a feature increasingly common for luxury-sport convertibles. The two-piece hardtop retracts in 20 seconds.
The Z4 will offer a choice of two versions of BMW’s famous inline six-cylinder engine, a 167kW variant and a twin-turbocharged unit that pumps out 223kW.
The Z4 is “intended mainly for the North American market,” said Ian Robertson, member of the board of management for BMW AG, adding that BMW “intends to sell even more of these fine-looking sports cars than we did the previous model.”
BMW also unveiled a new concept model under its “Efficient Dynamics” sustainable-technology engineering initiative. The Concept 7-Series Active-Hybrid, seen for the first time in North America, combines a 15kW electric motor with the car’s conventional twin-turbocharged V8 to “significantly reduce both fuel consumption and emissions,” said BMW board member Dr. Klaus Draeger.
Draeger promised the Concept 7-Series Active-Hybrid and the Concept X6 Active-Hybrid both will go on sale as production models in the U.S. sometime later this year.
While the 7-Series Active-Hybrid employs so-called “mild” hybrid components that deliver improved efficiency at a nominal cost increase, the Concept X6 Active-Hybrid uses BMW’s two-mode hybrid technology, which stresses maximum efficiency in both city and highway driving. The two-mode hybrid transmission is particularly well-suited to crossover-type utility vehicles, said BMW, and will enable the X6 to use “about 20 percent less fuel than a comparable vehicle.”
“We are certain both hybrid concepts will be particularly attractive for the US customer,” said Robertson. “Together with our diesel models, we are able to offer the US customers a variety of solutions to suit different needs and tastes.”
Print it: 
random civilian: “what do you drive?”
owner of a new Z4: “oh, i drive a BMW Z4 S-Drive 35i”
what is BMW thinking? it’s not a classy name, and makes the owner sound like a complete tosser. haha. (even if Z4 are most likely that) just call it a Z4, and detail engine specification via exhaust or something like the X5 does between the 3.0L and the 4.4L…
even if Z4 owners*
still a nice car though.
I think it’s quite a nice looking car, especially from the front. With the new 7 series, BMW is moving towards some nicer looking car after the horrbile last gen 7 series.
I agree Twilight, the new naming system for Z4 and X6 is ridiculous, may be drop the S-Drive and just Z4 35i will be better. Having said that, they can’t use the old system of engine capacity with the new turbo engines, otherwise you will have two Z4 3.0i, or have a Z4 3.0i and a Z4 3.5i even though it doesn’t have a 3.5L engine.
The X-Drive names now apply to X5 as well.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates BMW’s new naming convention. sDrive/xDrive just sound ridiculous to mention in conversation.
And its not like they havent used the “wrong” number before in terms of relating to displacement. Remember the old 7 series with a 3.0L odd turbo engine? That was badged 745i.
Plus the dealer I’m sure could explain to potential buyers what the increased displacement number in the badge name meant etc too.
Oh cmon, I think you’re blowing the naming problem out of proprotion. Surely if you own one and somebody asks you what you drive, nobody’s going to reply “BMW Z4 S-Drive 35i”, and BMW know that. You’re just going to say “BMW Z4″. You’ll only tell them the specific model if the person asks further, in which case they’re likely an enthusiast and would actually know what the “S-Drive 35i” means. But you’re not going to say that in normal conversation, if you do then yes, you’re a wanker.
With BMW now the numbers are related to a power designation. Look at the 125 and 135 coupes, the 125 is a 3L 6cyl and the 135 is a 3L TT 6cyl. The new 740i is a 3L TT 6cyl.
I think it makes more sense too.
I think everybody hates the naming system. It’s so wanky! But at least it comes off when you select the de-badging option which kind of makes it OK I suppose. At least they give you the option to get rid of it and if your not a wanker, you always will.
Dion is right though, nobody would say that they drive a BMW Z4 S-Drive 35i, they would say Z4 and then if they were a real twat, they would go on about the engine and how many turbos it has etc.
Every BMW will be S or X drive eventually so get used to it and stop complaining.
Alex, i thought the S and X drive is for model with letter in the name such as Z4, X5 and X6, whereas 1,3,5,6,7 series will keep the existing naming convention
Nice looking model S drive or not. So Alex BMW’s are driven by tw*ts and w3nkers. So what are Range Rovers driven by?
Alan, you really think BMW won’t eventually make everything into some sort of Drive?
Cupid, that’s not quite what I meant, I meant that the only people that keep that badge on are the people that want you to know they paid extra for the engine. I am one that tries to keep a good name for BMW because sadly, they are mainly bought for the badge these days but some still want the car and they shouldn’t look bad for wanting what probably is best in class.
Range Rovers are tasteful, all the footballers buy Range Rover Sports so that’s OK and all the Rappers get Sports or Escalades. Range Rover Vogues are mainly driven by old men, families, people who tow things or they are being driven by chauffeur. Not exactly the image that I want but I can say that I have a diesel engine, factory (un-chromed) wheels and no body kit and I’ve never cut anybody off unintentionally because I didn’t see them. All I can say to defend myself is that all the major wankers buy RRSs and I am one of the good Vogue drivers, the sort that doesn’t give a bad name to SUVs. Oh, and I try to keep out of the inner city.
I see where your coming from though :)
Oh, and forgot to say in the last comment that I think it looks great. I was a bit worried about the hard top but they have pulled it off, better than Mercedes did if you ask me.
Well considering they just updated the 3 and 7 series and left the names alone, i highly doubt they’ll go make a 5 S-Drive 30i.
Alex maybe some owners of poverty pac versions are badge snobs ,but the same could be said about a lot of of Euro cars. You cant simply put BMW owners down as badge snobs.
I always thought those that de-badge their cars are embarrassed they own the bottom of the range .
Owners of Ranger Rovers are no different.
My fav out of the Z range was the Z8………….with a all aluminum chassis and body and the engine from the E39 M5 {294 kws}
The best thing about this little classic BMW stock piled 50 years of spares and parts for collectors,something we all wish other manufacturers would do !
Alex Says:
January 12th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
“Cupid, that’s not quite what I meant, I meant that the only people that keep that badge on are the people that want you to know they paid extra for the engine.”
I actually disagree – it’s usually done by those who own a 320i Executive and want people to think it’s a 335i.
The new Z4 looks great – I wouldn’t have touched the current Z4 or previous Z3!!