The 2023 BMW Z4 Breaks Cover
In addition to design tweaks, the two-seat convertible gains better standard equipment.
It’s a bit hard to understand why BMW decided to unveil the updated Z4 on the same day as the XM. The latter has words/acronyms like “first-ever” and PHEV in its description, and it’s an SUV. The former, on the other hand, is a low-slung sportscar that can, at the touch of a button, offer limitless headroom. Not that it isn’t an intriguing recipe, but the Z4 won’t catch as many eyeballs as the XM. I, however, like challenges and won’t let the two-seater be bullied like this.
The updated Z4 isn’t as apparent as one would like it. However, the changes are quite evident to a set of trained eyes. First of all, BMW has made the M Sport package a standard offering, regardless of which of three variants one settles for. The kit comprises a three-section air intake at the front bumper, more prominent side sills and a revised rear apron. Also, the side air intakes have paid a visit to the drawing board. Next is the kidney grille, which now features a horizontally-stretched honeycomb structure. That alone helps deliver an impression of a wide front end. The range-topping model ropes in Cerium Grey ORVM caps and trapezoidal tailpipe finishers.
At the back, the taillamps have gotten slimmer and the diffuser element integrated within the rear bumper adds to the sporty quotient. The side profile reveals two character lines along with 18-inch M light-alloy wheels (also a standard feature). Optionally, however, one could have 19-inch wheels in Jet Black and fatter rubber. The same list of extra stuff also includes Anthracite Silver finish for the fabric roof and M Shadowline lights, which come as an option for the optional adaptive LED headlamps. To round things off, there are three new metallic colours – Thunderlight, Portimao Blue and Skyscraper Grey.
Indoors, the updated Z4 offers new sports seats with integrated headrests and Vernasca leather upholstery (four colour options available). Variants higher up rope in a posher ambience featuring leather/Alcantara trims coupled with blue contrast stitching and blue piping. The kit also includes an M leather steering wheel, M Sport seats and M pedals. Features? All models now pack heated seats, a wind deflector, more storage space, a through-loading system, auto-dimming IVRM and two-zone automatic climate control.
Mechanically, the updated Z4 isn’t very different. There are two petrol engine options – a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder unit (available in two states of tune) and a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder affair. It’s the latter that forms the heart for the range-topping M40i, offering 340hp/500Nm through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. That’s enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 4.5 seconds. The smaller engine pumps out 258hp/400Nm in the 30i variant and 197hp/320Nm in the entry-level 20i derivative. But to add more value to the package, the M Sport Suspension is now a standard feature.
BMW will commence market launches of the updated Z4 from November this year. And as before, it will be built in Graz, Austria.
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