Any car that has elements of the Jaguar E-Type gets my vote. Okay, so the iconic 1960s sports car is deeply rooted in the 20th century – simpler times – and the new Z4 sDrive35is is packed with 21st century automotive wizardry – a world away - sharing a long bonnet, short tail and rear-wheel drive with the ‘old girl’ the newby has immediate appeal. Low (tick), sleek (tick) and fast (tick).  All the sports car boxes are taken . . . and then some.
 

BODY STYLE
The 2010 sDrive35is is true to the physical character of the latest Z4 incarnation, launched last year, with the addition of the unique M Sport Package featuring an aggressive-looking aerodynamics kit including adaptive suspension which lowers the car by up to 10mm to maintain vehicle stability under varying road conditions.
Exclusive 18in Star-Spoke alloy wheels, previously an option, are now standard.

 

POWERTRAIN
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is features a modified straight-six twin turbocharged engine plus high precision injection technology. Two small turbochargers, through their low inertia, cut in immediately at low engine speeds, each supplying three cylinders with compressed air.
 Power and performance are built up straight away (no lag), the system maintaining a high boost pressure throughout the entire load range. Peak torque hits a peak of 450Nm at a low 1500rpm and is maintained up to 4500rpm, while maximum power of 250kW is delivered at 5900rpm.
On the other side of the coin, despite this increased performance, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are identical to that of the 225kW Z4 sDrive35i.
Averaging consumption of 9 litres per 100km on the combined urban/highway cycle, the new roadster emits just 210g of carbon dioxide per kilometre, the same as the Z4 sDrive35i.

BMW’s EfficientDynamics is responsible - reducing emissions while improving performance using advanced technology such as brake energy regeneration and electric power steering.
Power is put to ground via BMW’s seven-speed double clutch transmission which includes a race car-style launch control function.

 

 

SAFETY

A full suite of safety features, both passive and active, are standard. These include ventilated disc brakes all round with an ABS anti-skid system, Emergency Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control and cornering brake control.
 

INTERIOR DESIGN

The M Sport Package’s aggressive and dynamic elements also run to the cabin interior which includes aluminum carbon trim, M-leather steering wheel with brushed metal gearshift paddles and Anthracite roofliner, while unique floormats, embroided with the BMW Z4 sDrive35is model designation, complete the sporting appeal of the range-topping roadster.

 
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
True to its design parameters to give a genuine roadster driving experience, the car spears from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, the same as the iconic BMW, the six-speed manual M3 Coupé.  An initial shove in the back comes from the overboost function lifting torque for a short time to 500Nm, allowing for a surge of acceleration and power. The adaptive M suspension reacts quickly to steering commands, stabilising on-the-edge entry and exit of bends. The suspension set-up is equally as attentive, with the rear dampers being adjusted as soon as the front wheels run into a blemish in the road surface.

 

 

 

PRICING AND SPECIFICATIONS

BMW Z4 sDrive35is ENGINE

DIMENSIONS

PERFORMANCE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION

RUNNING GEAR