Roadsters have played an important role in BMW’s history and the all-new 2019 BMW Z4 is set to write another chapter in the open-top story. Since the birth of the first example, the famous BMW 328, all BMW roadsters have shared common proportions and design principles – long bonnet, low, set-back driving position, long wheelbase and short overhangs. The new BMW Z4 is no different. It shares all of those traditional principles, but takes the roadster experience to the next level with a focus on agility, dynamic performance and precise handling thanks to the high rigidity of the body structure and chassis mountings, the intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamic properties. The new BMW Z4 combines its pure sporting pedigree with a wealth of highly advanced, top class equipment features on the driver assistance, operation and connectivity fronts.
The new BMW Z4 will be built at the BMW Group’s Austrian manufacturing partner, Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz. Production will take place on an assembly line installed and operated to the BMW Group’s strict standards.
Exterior design
The new BMW Z4 has a low-slung, sporty, compact appearance when viewed from any angle. It is 85mm longer than its predecessor (at 4,324mm), 74mm wider (now 1,864mm) and 13mm taller (1,304mm). The shortening of the wheelbase by 26mm to 2,470mm serves to sharpen agility, as do the notably wider tracks – 1,609mm at the front (+ 98 mm) and 1,616mm at the rear (+ 57 mm).
A powerfully sculpted front apron with large air intakes, a low, broad BMW kidney grille and headlights positioned at the outer edges ensure there is no mistaking the car from the front. The new-look mesh-design BMW kidney grille combines a track-inspired honeycomb pattern with a three-dimensional structure, whose elements have a vertical arrangement reminiscent of traditional kidney grille bars.
The headlight units are another first, with the two light sources positioned one above the other for the first time. The vertical design is intercepted at the top by a diagonal accent strip with integral direction indicator.
The new BMW Z4 is equipped with LED headlights as standard, while the optional Adaptive LED headlights add a matrix function for the non-dazzling high beam and cornering lights.
The elongated bonnet with arrow-shaped contour lines directed at the kidney grille straddles the wheel arches in the “clamshell†style characteristic of classical sports cars. The joins at the bonnet’s sides merge into the flanks’ upper character line, which runs back to the tail lights. A second character line emerges from the large Air Breathers behind the front wheel arches. The spoiler and the slender, horizontally arranged light assemblies in the brand’s customary L-shape help to give the tail of the new BMW Z4 a wide, sporty appearance.
Scope for individuality: nine body and two soft-top colours.
There is a choice of one non-metallic and eight metallic shades for the car’s exterior paintwork. The soft-top roof comes in Black as standard and Anthracite with silver effect as an option. It is electrically operated and can be opened or closed in the space of ten seconds, even while travelling at speeds up to 31mph.
There will be two trim levels for the BMW Z4 in the UK, Sport and M Sport in addition to the M Performance M40i model. The Sport model features design elements in High-gloss Black on the front crossbar and the rear apron’s insert, along with 18-inch light-alloy wheels.
The highlights of the M Sport model, meanwhile, include a three section air intake for the front apron, prominent side skirt contouring, a rear apron with highly distinctive side surrounds and 18-inch M light-alloy wheels.
The new BMW Z4 M40i has a particularly sporty character with a Cerium Grey finish for the surround and front face of the mesh-design BMW kidney grille, the exterior mirror caps and other design features, plus trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes and 19-inch M light alloy wheels.
Interior: keen driver focus and an aura of class.
The cabin of the new BMW Z4 has been improved to reflect the new driving dynamics and comfort from within the car. Electroplated detailing adds to the roadster’s ambience, while the clearly structured arrangement of the controls focuses the attention even more on the driving experience.
Both driver and passenger settle into model-specific sports seats with integral head restraints. The BMW Z4 is upholstered in Vernasca leather as standard on all models and comes in a choice of four colours (Black, Magma Red, Ivory White or Cognac). Heated seats are also fitted to all BMW Z4s for the ultimate open-top driving comfort.
The optional wind deflector fits flush between the fixed rollover bars. The storage space behind the seats, the cup holders under the centre armrest and the large door pockets add further practical features. Boot capacity is 281 litres whether the soft-top is open or closed – an increase of more than 50 per cent compared to the outgoing model.
BMW M Performance model with straight-six engine.
Powering the new Z4 will be a choice of BMW’s latest turbocharged petrol engines. The new BMW Z4 M40i features a straight-six unit with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology. Its standout features include a water-cooled exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, sharper turbocharger response and superior acceleration, and direct injection technology, which now works at increased maximum pressure of 350 bar. Drivers have a maximum output of 340hp at their disposal, plus 500Nm of peak torque.
Variable sport steering comes as standard on all model variants, while the electronically controlled dampers, M Sport brakes and electronically controlled M Sport rear differential fitted as standard to the BMW Z4 M40i make the car even nimbler on the road.
The new BMW Z4 M40i can sprint from zero to 62mph in 4.6 seconds and has a combined fuel consumption of 33.2mpg, equating to CO2 emissions of 165g/km*. The straight six engine now runs more cleanly, too, thanks to a system of emission control that comprises an enlarged, close-coupled catalytic converter and a gasoline particulate filter, and enables the new Z4 M40i to meet the extremely stringent Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard.
More power with lower emissions – the new four-cylinder engines.
The choice of engines for the new BMW Z4 is rounded off by a pair of new four-cylinder units. Both have a capacity of 2.0 litres and likewise set new standards in terms of power delivery, efficiency and emissions. The output of both engines has been increased by 13hp over their predecessors.
The engine under the bonnet of the new BMW Z4 sDrive30i delivers its maximum output of 258hp, while peak torque of 400Nm is available. The result is a zero to 62mph sprint time of 5.4 seconds. Combined fuel consumption of 37.7-38.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 138g/km* is proof of the model’s outstanding efficiency.
The maximum output of 197hp developed by the new BMW Z4 sDrive20i between 4,500 and 6,500rpm and peak torque propels the car to 62mph from rest in 6.6 seconds. The new BMW Z4 sDrive20i burns an average of 38.7-39.8mpg and produces CO2 emissions of 138g/km*.
| Model | Power (hp) |
Torque (Nm) |
0 – 62mph (Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph) |
Combined (mpg) |
CO2 Emissions (g/km) |
OTR Price |
| BMW Z4 sDrive 20i | 197 | 320 | 6.6 | 149 | 38.7-39.8 | 138* | £36,990 |
| BMW Z4 sDrive 30i | 258 | 400 | 5.4 | 155 | 37.7-38.7 | 138* | £40,690 |
| BMW Z4 M40i | 340 | 500 | 4.6 | 155 | 33.2-33.2 | 165* | £49,050 |
The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, electric power consumption and operating range figures were determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the version applicable. The figures refer to a vehicle with basic configuration in Germany and the range shown considers the different sizes of the selected wheels/tyres and the selected items of optional equipment.
