The Mercedes-Benz SLK and the Audi TT has been the main two-seater roadsters to this day. But are we missing anyone? Anyone from…BMW, perhaps? The popular Z3 from the 1990s had been long gone, and the previous E85 Z4, to me, was, not too appealing. The E89 Z4, however, is a totally different animal. The limited production BMW Z8, which had an engine based off the 400-horsepower E39 BMW M5, was a hot car; so BMW had thought that they should build a Z roadster that would not be so “limited production” and people can actually spend under $100,000 to get one. The 2011 BMW Z4’s interior looks a lot like the Z8 from the late 1990’s, with a lightly-brushed aluminum trim, and comfortable leather seats (or leatherette seats if you do not opt for the Premium Package). The exterior has really sleek lines with a slight rounded curve in the rear to resemble the Z8 from back in the day. The steering wheel does not feel too bulky, but it does have the style like you would find in a stock BMW M3 or M5. The Z4 comes in three different trim levels: Two of the trim levels (Z4 sDrive30i and the Z4 sDrive35i) come with the N52 normally-aspirated inline-6 engine, while one of them (Z4 sDrive35iS) come with the N54 twin-turbocharged inline 6 like you would find in a 335iS. Okay, so we’ve got the engines down. Can we get to the horsepower and torque on these puppies? Of course, we can; the Z4 sDrive30i) comes with a 3.0-liter (again, normally-aspirated) inline-6 cylinder engine pepping out 260 horsepower and 230 lb-ft. of torque. The sDrive35i comes with the same 300-horsepower twin-turbocharged engine as a stock 335i. The beefy sDrive35iS comes with an extra 35 horses, bumping it up to 335 horsepower, and 332 lb-ft. of torque. The Z4 sDrive35iS is the only model to come with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission standard, while that transmission is optional on the sDrive35i. Acceleration from 0-60 mph in the sDrive35iS takes just under 5 seconds; that is about the same track time as a stock 135i, only the Z4 weighs a bit more. Performance and fuel economy go hand in hand for a car like the BMW Z4. All three models come pretty close in fuel economy with the top-of-the-line sDrive35iS getting about 17 miles per gallon around town, and 24 miles per gallon on the highway – not too bad for a roadster with that much power, and that it is a retractable hardtop convertible. Features are pretty straightforward when it comes to cars like BMW’s Z4. Hands-free Bluetooth (which is standard on the Premium Package), iPod integration, an optional [retractable] hard-drive based navigation system, LED taillights, and 18-inch alloy wheels are some of the features, but I can go on and on. Also, like every BMW model, a feature that really strikes me is the Comfort Access feature, which is pretty similar to Mercedes-Benz’s Keyless Go; you just leave the keyfob in your pocket, touch the doorhandle thusly, and press the Start/Stop button; the car comes to life. Pretty cool, isn’t it? What is my point on the 2011 BMW Z4? For one thing, it is good looking, better looking than the previous model; it is pretty fast off the line, even for a 3000-lb car, and it has pretty much every single option you can look for in a 2-seater roadster, especially the 4-year/50,000 mile complimentary maintenance. What’s not to love? Come on, the car even has a retractable hardtop; what do you mean the car is “hard to maintain?” Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society
