New-gen BMW Z4 drop-top to have Aussie flavour

AUSTRALIA may be known as an island full of British convicts, deadly animals, scorching hot summers, vast deserts and no clear leadership for the last 10 years, but we’re also known for inventing a thing or two when required.

Wi-Fi came from an Aussie by the name of Dr John O’Sullivan (and others), as did the black box flight recorder and electronic pacemaker, but a name to keep an eye on for the history books is Calvin Luk.

You might not know who that is now, but with designs for the BMW X1, X3 and facelifted 1 and 2 Series under his belt, chances are you've seen his work without even knowing it.

The third-generation Z4 is penned by Aussie Calvin Luk, BMW’s youngest designer, and features ground-breaking elements never before seen on a Bavarian-badged car.

Born in Sydney, Mr Luk is BMW's youngest designer and his latest creation may just be his best effort yet. Say hello to the third-generation BMW Z4.

Revealed in top-spec M40i form, the new Z4 distinguishes itself from the rest of the BMW model line-up thanks to unique and subtle touches.

Take the headlights for instance – notice how the cluster is now vertically stacked instead of being spread flat like the current 3 and 5 Series models.

The headlights sport a vertically stacked design motif, as opposed to the usual horizontally positioned elements, giving the new Z4 an aggressive front fascia.

Being a two-seat convertible, of course, the Z4 isn't going to look identical to a sedan, but even the signature kidney front grille is ever-so-subtly tweaked.

The rear end also gets the same updated treatment thanks to slender wraparound tail-lights, a prominent and contrasting rear diffuser, chiselled bumper, and bootlip spoiler.

Inside, it’s more of the familiar BMW design cues mixed with a healthy sprinkling of modernity to keep things fresh.

Gone are the analogue dials of yesteryear, instead the Z4 replaces in-car instrumentation with a high-definition digital display that is customisable.

From the driver's seat, instrumentation is now handled by an all-digital display, which will also feature in the new-generation X5 full-sized SUV and 8 Series flagship coupe.

A chunky steering wheel and a high-definition iDrive infotainment system can also be glimpsed from released pictures, but it’s been confirmed occupants will not struggle to hear banging tunes thanks to a Harmon Kardon sound system.

But enough about the design and specification, the Z4 is a sportscar afterall, what's under the long muscular bonnet?

The top-spec (for now) Z4 M40i is powered by a 250kW/500Nm turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine for a zero to 100km/h sprint in just 4.6 seconds.

BMW has now confirmed the Z4 will be available in three flavours, topped by the M40i with a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, punching out 250kW of power and 500Nm or torque.

With drive sent to the rear axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Z4 M40i promises a brisk zero to 100km/h acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds.

However, if past history is anything to go by, the flagship Z4 could wear a pricetag of around $120,000 before on-roads - ouch!

Lower-spec Z4s will be motived by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, available with 145kW/320Nm or 190kW/400Nm in 20i and 30i forms respectively.

For those that want to excitement of a BMW roadster without breaking the bank, two turbocharged 2.0-litre versions will also be available - the 20i and 30i.

The base variant still packs a 145kW/320Nm punch for a 6.6s sprint to 100km/h - still quicker than a Volkswagen Golf GTI, Toyota 86 or Mazda MX-5 - meanwhile the mid-tier 30i produces 190kW/400Nm from its engine for a 5.4s sprint.

Crucially though, we expect these grades to come in close to their predecessor’s pricing, meaning $65,000 for the 20i and $90,000 for the 30i.

The flagship first-generation Z4 borrowed the 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine from the E46 M3 to output 252kW of power and 365Nm of torque.

Now in its third generation, the BMW Z4 first appeared in showrooms in 2002 as a soft-top convertible and in 2006 as a coupe.

Unlike the new-generation model, the first Z4 was offered with a six-speed manual option, as well as five-speed automatic and six-speed automatic manual.

Engines options ranged from a 2.0-litre in-inline four cylinder, all the way up to the mighty 252kW/365Nm naturally aspirated 3.2-litre in-line six – the same unit as the venerable E46 M3.

While the second-generation BMW Z4 featured evolutionary styling rather than a revolutionary design, it did gain a turbocharged six-cylinder engine in top-spec form.

In 2009 however, BMW introduced the second-generation Z4, the first to sport a retractable hardtop roof instead of the separate convertible and coupe body styles.

This Z4 has the distinction of being the first BMW model to be penned by two female designers, while in top-spec form the 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo sDrive35i could crack the landmark triple digit sprint in just 4.8s.

Although the new-generation Z4 has a revered history to live up to, its handsome looks, potent engines and front-engine-rear-drive dynamics should ensure it is another winner for BMW when it hits Australian showrooms next year.

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