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BMW's new 253kW Z4 - a new era for roadsters

BMW has a long and illustrious history of building two-seat sports cars and now, more than 80 years since the first BMW roadster went on sale, the latest has been unveiled, the Z4 M40i First Edition.

Based on the BMW Concept Z4 presented at Concours d’Elegance 2017 in Pebble Beach, the new edition of the roadster inspires not only with the agility, precision and dynamic handling characteristics that are typical of M Performance models, but also with particularly sophisticated design and equipment features, including a body paintwork in Frozen Orange metallic.

The epitome of dynamic driving

The central sitting position for the driver, the low centre of gravity, perfectly balanced 50:50 axle load distribution, wide tracks and a compact wheelbase form the ideal prerequisites for a dynamic drive.

READ: Revised BMW Z4 set to make its debut at the Concours d’Elegance

The Z4 First Edition comes with a powerful 253kW, straight six-cylinder engine and a sports suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Sport braking system and an electronically controlled M Sport differential in the rear axle transmission. The M Performance automobile takes a mere 4.6 seconds to sprint from a standstill to 100km/h.

Vertically aligned headlights, the BMW kidney grille sporting a mesh design, the bonnet stretching sports car-like over the wheels, large air breathers on the front wheel arches and the distinctive spoiler integrated into the rear lid all contribute towards the characteristic look of the new Z4.

The design of the interior also places the focus on the sportiness of the new Z4. Forward-oriented lines underscore the driver-oriented cockpit styling. Likewise, the clearly structured arrangement of all control elements enhances the focus on the driving experience inside the Z4.

Impressive all round

Moreover, for a perfect start into a new roadster era, the Z4 offers specific design and equipment features that add exclusive accents to the car’s sporty flair.

The expressive body paintwork in Frozen Orange metallic is combined with an electrically operated textile soft top in anthracite with silver effect, the BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line, black exterior mirror caps and 19-inch light alloy wheels boasting a bicolour, double spoke design.

                                                                      Image: BMW Group

The interior of the edition model comprises the Vernasca black leather trim with decorative stitching, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, the option ambient light and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.

Adaptive LED headlights with matrix function for the high beam, BMW Head-Up Display featured for the first time in a roadster and the BMW Live Cockpit Professional offering the latest networking technology underpin the advanced status the tradition-steeped concept of a two-seater, open-top sports car has reached with the latest edition.

                                                                        Image: BMW Group

The world premiere of the Z4 in Pebble Beach is a taster of the forthcoming on-road debut of the new roadster generation. BMW will announce all details of further engine variants, technical innovations and the diverse equipment features of the two-seater on 19 September 2018.

This will be followed a short time later by the trade fair premiere of the Z4 at the Mondial de l’Automobile (4 – 14 October 2018) in Paris. The worldwide market launch will commence in the spring of 2019.

Full technical details and information on the rest of the Z4 range will follow on 19 September 2018.

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