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23/08/2010
By EWAN KENNEDY
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BMW sDrive 35is is the latest addition to the hot sportscar range. Though not officially called an M4, this German machine is as close to being just what that tag suggests, that would-be owners are likely to start queuing up at their BMW dealerships pretty soon.
And they had better not hang about, because only 25 examples of the BMW 35is fitted with an M Sport package are scheduled to be imported to Australia this year. More will arrive in 2011, but BMW Australia anticipates supply will be outstripped by demand.
Power comes from a 250 kilowatt engine (up by 10 per cent on the engine in the Z4 35i, a model that remains on sale). Sadly, this engine will be the last of the famed twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six unit that has enthralled keen drivers for several years. BMW is switching to a single-turbo engine with twin scrolls that it feels provides equal performance to the twin-turbo unit.
The twin-turbo engine in the Z4 35is normally produces up to 450 Nm, which most people would say is plenty but there are another 50 Newton metres on tap, albeit briefly, if you really want to maximise grunt. For example if you want to get off the line at a track day, or overtake in the safest possible distance, then the overboost control gives you that added 50 Nm.
These days engineering the sounds from an engine, particularly its exhaust, are paramount in high-performance cars. The BMW guys have done an excellent job of getting the quality right and when the engine is worked hard it has a deep guttural aural output that will bring a smile to your face. But, while the quality of the sound is just right its lacking in quantity the volume just isn't there compared with other sportscars we've driven recently. In particular those from Aston Martin, Maserati and Jaguar.
Changes to the bodywork of this halo model in the BMW Z4 range are minimal and only car spotters will realise the ride height is lower by 10 millimetres and that the front aerodynamic splitter is more aggressive in its looks and of course its actions. There are new designs of alloy wheels, with a diameter of 18 inches as standard and the option of 19-inch units.
Adaptive suspension is part of the M Sport package and during our initial road in the hills of northern NSW we were impressed by the way this not only grips the road with a great deal of tenacity, but also provides better than average comfort for a car in this class. Most of the time, that is, because some decently sized bumps led to a harsh crashing through the body at times.
The price of the new BMW sDrive 35is is a reasonable $129,990 plus on-road charges. BMW Australia sees this model as challenging Porsche Boxster, Audi TT and Mercedes SLK, and we see no reason to doubt that it will do well on our market.
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