BMW Z4 (E85)
BMW Z4 (2002-2006)
The BMW Z4 (internal: E85 - Roadster, E86 - Coupé) is a passenger car of the German car manufacturer BMW. The design of the Z4 was designed under BMW chief designer Chris Bangle. Was made of the BMW Z4 from BMW U.S. Manufacturing Company in Greer (South Carolina).
Model history
The Z4 came in the fall of 2002 to the U.S. market and was introduced in March 2003 in Germany. Since it is much larger and more comfortable than the previously produced Z3, Z4 he was called. The Z4 was available from € 29,900.
After initially great sales success, sales of the Z4 from 2004 broke a noticeable, which is why it was decided at BMW to a comprehensive facelift.
Interior of a right -guided M- Roadster
Facelift
The revised version of the Z4 was introduced to the public in spring 2006. Changes were made to both the interior and on the exterior design. The outer optical changes were primarily modified bumpers and aprons, new headlights and taillights, revised wheels and new colors. Under the bodywork, the interior has been enhanced with chrome accents, such as the climate controls, and enhanced by new equipment packages. Technical innovations were, inter alia, an electronic oil level control and hill start assist.
However, the most important changes concerned the chassis and engine area. As part of the chassis revision, there were also new N52 six-cylinder engines. The original BMW M54 engines in versions 2.2 i ( 125 kW/170 hp ), 2.5 i ( 141 kW/192 hp) and 3.0 i ( 170 kW/231 hp) were the N52 engines in the variants 2.5 i (now 130 kW/177 hp ), 2.5 si (160 kW/218 hp) and 3.0 si (195 kW/265 hp) replaced. Launched in May 2005, four-cylinder variant 2,0 i with E46 engine and 110 kW ( 150 PS) remained even after the facelift continue with the program. Furthermore, all models had with a manual transmission now has six courses (previously only the 2.0 i and 3.0 i).
The top of the range formed the Z4 M. He had the 252 kW ( 343 hp) 3.2- liter six- cylinder engine, which has been used to date in the BMW M3 (E46). With this engine, he accelerated in 5.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and was electronically limited to a top speed of 250 km / h surcharge were up to 275 km / h. Visually, the difference Z4 M by modified Aprons, a more contoured bonnet and an exhaust system with four tailpipes. A sequential gearbox, as have the other M models, was not yet available for the Z4 M.
At the International Motor Show 2005, the Z4 Coupé ( E86 ) was first introduced as a study before it came in the spring of 2006 in a slightly different form with the revised roadster on the market.
The vehicle was available only with two units: the 3.0si engine with 195 kW (265 hp) and a Z4 M coupe with a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine (252 kW/343 hp).
Rear view
BMW Z4 Coupe (2006-2008)
BMW Z4 M Coupe race car plant
BMW built 12 race car of the Z4 M Coupe. The cars were powered by a 3.2 liter engine with 316 kW ( 430 hp). Hans -Joachim Stuck and Claudia Hurtgen were thus in the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring. In the 2009 and 2010 season, 11 of the 16 races have been completed as a class winner.
Successor
Mid-July 2008 with BMW announced officially to end the production of the current Z4 end of August 2008.
In May 2009, appeared as planned, the successor Z4 E89, this time for the first time with metal folding roof and a base - engine variant of the 2.5 - liter inline six- cylinder with 150 kW ( 204 hp). A coupé or an M version does not exist.
Engine variants
Security
In the Euro NCAP crash test in 2004, he received in the assessment of occupant safety four star (31 points). The pedestrian safety has been classified with 13 points and two out of four stars.
Literature and References
- David Lightfoot: BMW Z4: Design, Development and Production, Bentley 2004, ISBN 0975498401