THE 2009 BMW Z4
BMW(on Dec 13 08) released photos and details of its new Z4 roadster, which will be unveiled during the Detroit auto show next month.
There are two major developments: The Z4 will be the first BMW roadster to come with a lightweight retractable hardtop, and it will come turbocharged.
The retractable hardtop is a two-piece aluminum shell. At the touch of a button, the roof opens and closes within 20 seconds. BMW says that the side windows are 40 percent larger than the current model, and all-round visibility has been increased by 14 percent.
The other big piece of news is that the top trim level, the Z4 sDrive35i, is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line 6. In the new Z4, the engine makes 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The lower trim, Z4 sDrive30i, is equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter in-line 6 that produces 255 horsepower.
There are three transmissions available. A manual 6-speed gearbox is available with both models. The Z4 sDrive35i can be optioned with a 7-speed dual-clutch sport automatic; the Z4 sDrive30i has an optional 6-speed sport automatic.
BMW claims the Z4 sDrive35i will go from zero to 60 miles an hour in 5.1 seconds (5.0 seconds with the optional 7-speed double clutch sport automatic transmission). Top speed is 130 miles an hour (electronically limited). Models equipped with the optional Sport Package will have a top speed of 150 m.p.h.
The new Z4 is slightly bigger than the current model; it is 5.8-inches longer and fraction of an inch wider and lower. It is also the first BMW roadster to come with BMW’s iDrive control system as part of its optional navigation system.
The release date is May 9, 2009.
by : Richard S. Chang for NewYork Times (Dec 14 08)Interested to know about the 4 Door Porshe
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