Review of the new BMW Z4 Range

Never let it be said that BMW doesn't get its pound of flesh from its engineers. To most customers, the Z4 roadster was still a fresh face but after three years on general release, the Munich company saw fit to give the line up a shot in the arm. With a revised engine line up, some styling improvements, better equipment provision and numerous engineering tweaks, the Z4 looks set to reinforce its position as the nation's biggest selling premium roadster.

Let's start by taking a look at how the model range has been altered. When the Z4 was first launched, buyers were offered a choice of either a 2.5 or a 3.0-litre engine. This was a smart move, lessons having been learned from its predecessor, the Z3, whose image never really recovered from being launched with the sole choice of a rather weedy 1.9-litre lump from the outset. Both 2.0 and, briefly, 2.2-litre engines subsequently followed to broaden the Z4's customer base but now the choice has really become mouth-watering. Aside from a 'standard' 177bhp 2.5i engine, BMW also now offers a 2.5si powerplant that's good for 218bhp. Sport models have also been introduced alongside the SE versions. At the top of the range there's also the thunderously rapid 343bhp M Roadster. Prices start at £24,220.

Mixing and matching engines from BMW's vast pool of powerplants is the easy part but to solely do this wouldn't be enough to pique the interest of the sort of buyer who wants the latest thing and isn't shy about letting everybody know. Styling changes are therefore also required. The Z4 shape is so complex that any meddling runs the considerable risk of ruining the overall effect, so thankfully BMW have played a rather subtle hand.

"The Z4 range has been sharpened up in most of the areas that matter"

Most will notice the wider air intake under the bumper and the kidney grille has been widened to give the Z4 an even more aggressive frontal aspect. The crease lines that run along the bonnet now extend right across the front bumper which gives a sharper, edgier look. The old car's rather mournful 'bottom feeder' face has been excised for good. The headlamp units have been revised and Corona light rings - the so called BMW 'angel eyes' - are featured on all models specified with xenon lights. The rear lights are even more radical, featuring the horizontal light conductor rods that featured on the Z8 'Bond car'. They also incorporate BMW's Brake Force Display system whereby the tail lamps get more intense the harder the brake pedal is pressed.

All models get the benefit of what is one of the world's fastest electrically-operated hoods. Triple lined for heat and noise insulation, it raises or lowers in less than ten seconds. If that's still too long and the traffic starts moving away in the middle of its action, the Z4 will permit hood operation at low driving speeds.

The commitment to making the Z4 a proper driver's car can be seen in certain key areas. The traction control and DSC+ stability control systems can both be disabled at the touch of a button, something you won't be able to do in a Mercedes SLK for instance. Although it does require you to hold the button in for what seems like an eternity when the control systems are disabled, you'll be aware quite how potent the six-cylinder cars in particular are. BMW's paddle shift six-speed automatic gearchange can also be specified with the 2.5si and 3.0si cars.

Drive the Z4 at seven tenths and it will feel a million dollars. The 3.0-litre in particular is a wonderful thing, BMW having worked on the engine's soundtrack to such an extent that it sounds wonderfully breathy as you accelerate through 4,000rpm. The chassis feels good, the ride supple yet well damped. It's certainly got the measure of cars like the Audi TT Roadster and the Mercedes SLK. There's a broad spread of torque from the 3.0-litre engine and 265bhp does a very effective job of propelling 1,290kg. The gearbox feels supremely meaty, the stubby lever encouraging you to flick up and down through the six gears just for the sheer tactility of the experience. Push harder and you'll be surprised at how much safe understeer BMW have built into the handling bias. Fine for 90% of drivers but ultimately frustrating for those hardcores who appreciate a Porsche Boxster for that last 10% of its talent. If you're one of these 10% buyers, BMW now have the Z4 M Roadster and the Z4 Coupe to do battle with the mighty Boxster and its Cayman sibling. Game on.

Those who remember the old M Roadster will recall a car that made up in excitement, character and sheer eyeball-widening speed what it lacked in build quality and sophistication. It was almost as if BMW had decided to build themselves a TVR. The latest model aims to keep that raw feel but to lose the ragged edges. The good news is that the 343bhp engine has never been in better form, tasked with hauling a body around that's significantly lighter than the M3 ever was. This means suitably devastating performance, the M Roadster headbutting its way to 60mph from rest in just 4.7 seconds, more than enough to keep a Porsche Boxster S receding in the rear view. Featuring old-school hydraulic power steering, non run-flat tyres and BMW's M-differential, this is a car that majors on tactility.

The BMW Z4 was such a huge improvement over the Z3 it could perhaps have been badged a Z5. It's a more focused item than the mass-market choices and its styling divides opinion to a far greater extent. With a range that now extends from the 2.0i up to the M Roadster, the Z4 has the lion's share of the roadster market covered. It has the scope to be another big success story for BMW but talented rivals in each segment will have other ideas.

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BMW Z4 28i sDrive M Sport 2dr Auto Roadster
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