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BMW Z4 M Coupe Australia

xThe BMW Z4 has always been the sort of car that turns a lot heads as it goes around. The owners know it, thats why they bought it! However whenever it came up next a hotted up Jap car (or even your stock Impreza WRX - Lancer Evo - Mazda 6 MPS) it always failed to match its looks. This is all until the Z4 M Coupe comes out in Australia later in the year. Prices start at $127,400 for the M Coupe, which isn't a lot given that the BMW M3 costs around $140,000 and they both use the same engine, and the M coupe is just as fast (if not slightly faster).

Alborz Fallah

12:5814 June 2006

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Thankfully, the new Z4 M is only available with a 6 speed manual transmission, none of this "sequential auto" or "clutchless manual" rubbish. Plain, hard working 6 speed manual gearbox, like it should be. The best thing about this? Only those who appriciate an M powered car will actually buy one (mainly because the other Z4 drivers usually can't change gears).

A further advantage is the front-engine, rear-drive layout that delivers a perfect 50-50 front-rear weight distribution to help deliver the ultimate in overall handling balance. In fact the dynamics are so good that the Z4 M Coupé is even faster around the Northern circuit of the famed Nürburgring track in Germany than the BMW M3 and BMW Z4 Roadster. Its athletic 3.2-litre 252 kW, 365 Nm engine has once again scooped an Engine Oscar at the annual International Engine Awards in Europe, for the sixth year in a row.

So it sounds pretty good doesn't it? I can't wait to see one on the road. Although BMW have not officially released the Z4 M or the BMW M1, I have seen cars with the M body kit on them that look almost identical (in Brisbane), I wonder if they were the real thing being tested down under? Who knows, but what about safety and handling?

...dual front and side airbags, climate-control air-conditioning, especially supportive leather-trimmed sport seats, and the security of electronic systems such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC+), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) that maximise dynamic safety while retaining superb levels of driving pleasure...

Not bad for a 127 thousand dollar car. You would expect a great deal of luxury equipement as standard! And its not bad with THX Certified BMW Professional Hi Fi system, Professional navigation with TV and Bluetooth phone preparation. The car comes in Imola Red, Interlagos Blue and Sepang Bronze. In comparison the other Z4 models start at $77,600.