Combining classic proportions with
modern sportiness, the new BMW Z4 has reached the top of its market
segment almost overnight. And now this charismatic roadster is
entering a new dimension in driving dynamics, the new BMW Z4
sDrive35is offering an even higher standard of performance ensured
both by the modified straight-six power unit with BMW Twin Turbo
Technology and High Precision Injection, on the one hand, and by
BMW's seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation and
the M Sports Package including the adaptive M Suspension likewise
featured as standard, on the other. Appropriate optimisation in engine
technology increases maximum output of the 3.0-litre power unit to
250 kW/340 hp. Peak torque is 450 Newton-metres/332 lb-ft, increasing
briefly with the Overboost function to 500 Newton-metres/369 lb-ft.
The outstanding power and performance of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is
expressed in particular by the significant increase in pulling power
and muscle to be clearly experienced in all situations. In
conjunction with seven-speed Sport Automatic featuring double clutch
operation, this new top-of-the-range.
Roadster accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.8 seconds.
At 9.0 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.1 mpg US) and 210 grams in
the EU test cycle, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are the same as
on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i with Sport Automatic.
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is is making its world debut at the 2010 North
American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. And parallel to
the market launch of this high-performance roadster in spring 2010,
the M Sports Package is being introduced for all further versions of
the BMW Z4.
More air, more boost, more torque, more driving pleasure.
The twin-turbo straight-six power unit already giving the BMW Z4
sDrive35i truly impressive dynamics and all-round performance is
characterised in particular by its spontaneous and direct response to
the gas pedal, fascinating free-revving performance, and unusually
economical use of fuel for a car in this class.
Now the outstanding potential of this power unit is being put to even
greater use in the new version of the BMW Roadster, features such as
optimised air supply and increased boost pressure ensuring an even
better flow of power with the same high standard of efficiency.
The combination of BMW Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision
Injection offers a level of performance a naturally-aspirated power
unit would only be able to provide with a larger number of cylinders
and extra displacement, meaning far higher weight and significantly
greater fuel consumption.
Instead, the BMW Twin Turbo power unit uses two small turbochargers
which, through their low inertia, cut in from the start at relatively
low engine speeds, each supplying three cylinders with compressed
air. As a result, power and performance are built up with a level of
spontaneity quite unusual on a turbocharged engine. The turbocharger
system developed for the power unit of the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is
maintains a high boost pressure throughout the entire load range. Peak
torque now increased to 450 Newton-metres or 332 lb-ft comes from a
low 1,400 rpm and is maintained consistently all the way to 4,500
rpm. Maximum output of 250 kW/340 hp, in turn, is delivered at 5,800
rpm.
Overboost function for particularly dynamic acceleration.
Modified engine management on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is also allows the
use of an Overboost function briefly increasing engine torque under
full load by another 50 Newton-metres or 37 lb-ft. The peak thus
offered of 500 Newton-metres/369 lb-ft gives the car particularly
fast, dynamic and powerful acceleration, the BMW Z4 sDrive35is
completing the sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just
4.8 seconds.
Through its particular characteristics, the power unit offers a
particularly intense experience of this supreme performance. The extra
output of the optimized six-cylinder is maintained consistently
throughout all load ranges, above all under very dynamic driving
conditions.
When accelerating in the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the driver feels the
additional torque and muscle particularly at medium and high engine
speeds. Following the policy of the BMW Group, finally, top speed of
the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155
mph.
High Precision Injection: the efficient way to supreme performance.
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is offers its outstanding power and performance
consistently at all times. But this does not mean an increase in fuel
consumption and emissions. On the contrary - averaging fuel consumption
of 9.0 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.1 mpg US) and CO2
emissions of 210 grams per kilometre in the EU test cycle, the new
top model offers the same superiority also in this respect as the BMW
Z4 sDrive35i with Sport Automatic.
This unusually good balance of performance and fuel consumption
results from the fundamental design and layout of the six-cylinder
combining BMW Twin Turbo Technology with High Precision Injection. So
once again, the qualities of direct gasoline injection featured in
this engine come out very clearly, piezo-injectors positioned in the
cylinder head between the valves and therefore in the immediate
vicinity of the spark plugs ensuring particularly precise dosage of
fuel and a clean combustion process.
Opening up to the outside, the injectors operate at a pressure of up
to 200 bar, distributing fuel in a conical spray pattern throughout
the entire combustion chamber. A further advantage of such direct fuel
injection is the cooling effect allowing higher compression and
making the combustion process even more efficient.
Through their concept alone, the turbochargers likewise help to reduce
fuel consumption. Since the turbines are made of special steel
particularly resistant to high temperatures and therefore able to cope
with temperatures of more than 1,000° C or 1,830° F, there is no
need for an increased fuel supply with its cooling effect.
Particularly under full load, this ensures a significant advantagein
fuel economy.
Further technologies offered as standard by BMW EfficientDynamics such
as Brake Energy Regeneration, EPS Electric Power Steering and
on-demand control and management of ancillary units likewise help to
reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.
Characteristic engine sound accompanying the dynamic surge of power.
The modified six-cylinder also comes with special features on the
engine block itself in the interest of even greater strength and
stiffness. The exhaust system of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, in turn, has
been developed specifically for this model, appropriate sound
engineering giving the car a very characteristic and truly impressive
sound pattern.
This particular distinction tailored to the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is
ensured by special sound flaps and modifications on the silencers. The
driver and passenger therefore experience powerful acoustic feedback
to their wish for performance, without the sound of the engine
becoming obtrusive, let alone annoying, at any time. So the sound
experience is characterised by a particularly deep rumble with the
focus above all on the low frequency range.
Seven-speed Sport Automatic with a special control map and an optimised two-mass flywheel.
The seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation featured
in the BMW Z4 sDrive35is likewise offers the very best in driving
dynamics and efficiency. A particular highlight in this case is the
two-mass flywheel laid out particularly for an even higher level of
power and performance, offering even greater strength and stability
and naturally handling high engine torque of up to 500 Newton-metres
or 369 lb-ft without the slightest problem.
The seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation shifts
gears without the slightest interruption of torque and engine power,
offering the driver the choice of an automatic gearshift or the manual
selection of gears. The fast and particularly smooth change of gears
ensures unusually harmonious acceleration and serves in addition to
reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.
The control map on the seven-speed Sport Automatic transmission with
double clutch has naturally been tailored to the particular power and
performance of the engine, thus further enhancing the superior
sportiness of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is to an even higher level.
Particularly when shifting gears manually and in conjunction with the
SPORT and SPORT+ modes of Dynamic Driving Control, the transmission
offers a most dynamic experience through modified gearshift points,
optimised selection of gears and an even greater increase in torque
before shifting.
Sport Automatic also comes with a Launch Control function for maximum performance when accelerating from a standstill.
The Sport Automatic transmission is controlled and masterminded by an
electronic gear selector on the centre console and comes with
gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.
Featured as standard on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is: M Sports Package and adaptive M Suspension.
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is also comes as standard with an M Sports Package
including the M Aerodynamics Package and adaptive M Suspension
featuring electronically controlled dampers for even greater agility
without making any concessions in terms of comfort. The M Sports
Package underlines the dynamic character of the car through its
aerodynamically optimised exterior features and customised interior
design. Special 18-inch light-alloy rims in five-spoke design combined
with tyres of different size front and rear round off the sporting
character of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, with 19-inch light-alloy rims
available an option.
The adaptive M Suspension lowers the entire car by 10 millimetres or
almost 0.4", ensuring a quick reaction to sudden steering manoeuvres
and superior precision when entering a bend thanks to four
continuously adjustable twin-sleeve gas-pressure dampers with
interacting adjustment of the inbound and rebound strokes. The
central control unit processing data delivered by three
accelerometers and adjusting the four dampers independently of one
another enables the suspension to respond very quickly to even the
slightest change in driving and road conditions. Damper harshness, in
turn, is adjusted by externally fitted valves controlling the flow
of damper fluid, giving the dampers either a harder or softer set-up
in accordance with current conditions and driving requirements.
Reaction time of the system is extremely short, with the rear dampers
being adjusted immediately as soon as the front wheels run over a
hole or bump in the road.
Electric Power Steering on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is features a
particularly sporting and dynamic control map, with the focus on
intense and clear feedback to the driver through the dosage of power
assistance provided by the electric motor. Again, this enables the
driver to enter bends with extreme precision at all engine speeds in
the interest of enhanced performance.
M Sports Package offering a most direct experience of the car's
dynamic potential - and available as an option also on the other
models in the range.
The exterior and interior features of the M Sports Package coming as
standard on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is raises the dynamic driving potential
of the car to an even higher level and clearly presents the
particular qualities of this model through its looks alone.
Upon introduction of the new top model in the range, the M Sports
Package is also becoming available as an option on the other versions
of BMW's unique Roadster. The only difference is that instead of the
wheels exclusive to the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the other models come with
18-inch M light-alloy wheels on the M Sports Package.
The particular exterior features on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is include a
striking front bumper with a horizontal trim bar in the outer air
intakes finished in matt aluminium, like the bars in the BMW kidney
grille. The slightly twisted contours of these trim bars take up the
spoke design of the light-alloy rims as a further sign of distinction.
The rear bumper comes with specially accentuated surrounds on the
exhaust tailpipes as well as a two-piece diffuser again created
specifically for the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, finished at the top in body
colour and featuring a black grained surface at the bottom. The M
Aerodynamics Package included in the optional M Sports Package also on
the other versions of the BMW Z4 Roadster furthermore comes with a
rear bumper insert in Anthracite metallic.
Inside the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the driving experience is enhanced to an
even higher standard by features such as the M leather steering
wheel with its gearshift paddles, an M footrest and sports seats. The
instrument cluster comes with grey faces on the dials and the
"sDrive35is" model designation in the instrument cluster.
Further features inside the BMW Z4 sDrive35is are the
Anthracite-coloured BMW Individual roof lining, M entry strips,
footmats with coloured piping and the "sDrive35is" model designation,
as well as M interior trim in Aluminium carbon.
The M Sports Package on the other versions of the BMW Z4 Roadster
includes an M gearshift lever knob in leather on the manual gearbox
models. At the same time the range of leather upholstery is being
further enhanced by an additional colour variant marking the launch of
the BMW Z4 sDrive35is: Both the top model and all other versions of
the BMW Z4 Roadster are now also available in Kansas Walnut leather
as yet a further option.
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is comes with a choice of six paintwork colours. In
addition to Alpine White and the metallic colours Titanium Silver,
Sapphire Black, Space Grey and Deep Sea Blue, the BMW Z4 Roadster is
now available for the first time in Melbourne Red metallic.
Regardless of the colour chosen, the exterior mirror caps on the BMW
Z4 sDrive35is always come in Oxide Silver. Another optical feature on
the top model, finally, is the "sDrive35is" model designation on the
front side panels.
