By Mark Elias
Monday, May 11th, 2009 @ 2:31 pm

To introduce its all-new 2009 Z4 Roadster, BMW utilized its mostly-unknown DesignworksUSA studio in Los Angeles as a starting point to illustrate how passionate design captures customers’ attention – and their wallets. Ironically, BMW heavily utilized its California design studio to design the car, but unlike its South Carolina-built predecessor, this Z4 hails from Germany.
The cutting-edge design firm has been a part of BMW Group since 1995. Known for influencing many of the company’s latest designs, BMW requires 50 percent of DesignworksUSA’s revenue to come from outside clients. As a result, Designworks brings ideas to life for firms such as John Deere, HP Computers, Boeing Aircraft, Nokia, Piper Aircraft, Adidas and Magellan.

Oh, and BMW , of course. Reeling from criticism over the flame surfacing of the last Z4, the automaker took a more holistic, conservative approach to the redesign. And we think it paid off.

Talking ‘bout my generation
The 2009 Z4 – all new, despite arriving late in the model year – is the second generation of this roadster, but it is the eighth generation topless BMW two-seater dating back to 1935. To merely call it a topless roadster would be to shortchange the new Z4 because the 2009 is the first to have a folding hardtop roof that stows in the trunk, eliminating the need for the coupe version of the car.

Constructed of aluminum, its electrohydraulic mechanism can fold and stow the top in 20 seconds. Tight, and without the characteristic creaks and groans seen in other topless models (not to mention residents of Boca Raton), it will surprise drivers with its tautness and exacting build quality. It has a handsome look that will soon cause some to forget that the firm once offered separate coupe and roadster versions of this car. BMW is now having a two-for-one sale – perhaps that’s why the price has increased.

Subtle changes have occurred to the Z4 since its last iteration. The new version is longer, wider, and taller than the one it replaces, but not so much that it looks radically different from its predecessor. It is still characterized by the long nose, short rear grand-touring-style packaging that has characterized the Z4. And, as we have said before about other vehicles, although the new Z4 has grown up and out a little bit, it is still comfortable in its skin.

The interior has been thoroughly worked over and it now features a more refined, and slightly roomier feel. Bisected by the transmission tunnel, the Z4 comes complete with two excellent seats that offered good bolstering for extended stints behind the wheel. We felt refreshed after about six hours of driving through mountain roads and valleys north of Palmdale, California.

Various trim options allow a little more personalization than before. Our tester was decked out in wood trim, which saw the driver’s controls framed by an Ash grain insert that also carried over to the shift lever console. A brushed aluminum option was shown to the media with the sDrive30i model.

BMW offers an optional navigation system which features a retractable screen appearing from the center-top of the dashboard. Using the newly revised iDrive is now a relative pleasure, thanks to an interface that has operating characteristics similar to that found in Audi automobiles. Operating the entertainment, information, telecom, and navigation controls, it is so much easier that the previously infamous version of the system that dates back to the 2001 7-Series model.

Two engines, two trannies
The Z4 model will be offered with two inline-six cylinder engine choices: The Z4 sDrive30i which is the 3.0-liter, normally aspirated double VANOS Valvetronic engine with 255-horsepower and 220 lb-ft. of torque, or the Z4 sDrive35i which features the a same-displacement six-cylinder twin turbo engine with direct fuel injection. Both engines, when equipped with the Sport Package are capable of 150 mph top speeds. For our testing we hung with the sDrive35i. Additionally, you get your choice (if the dealer orders correctly) of a six-speed manual for both engines, a six-speed automatic for the 30i, and a seven-speed double-clutch automatic that to this point has only been available with an M badge on a BMW.

New and standard on all Z4s is BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control. The system allows for driver control over ride comfort, engine response (mapping) and stability control. Can you say “track day?”

Hitting the 101 after leaving Designworks, we managed to trespass at an oilfield on the way to Ojai (an honest mistake). The field foreman followed us to make sure we got off the lot, but not before commenting on how good the car looked. We probably broke federal, state and Department of Homeland Security rules but the picture was worth it.

Steak, anyone?
Further on down the road, after winding through low-level twisties, we had a chance to try out the Dynamic Stability Control with brake fade compensation and brake stand-by. While driving across a state road that apparently cuts through a ranch, we performed a sudden stop for a herd of cattle – including a cow and calf that felt the need to nurse in the middle of the road. The system worked, and the brakes didn’t fade otherwise we might have been having steak for dinner that night.

Technologically, the Z4 is pretty close to the top of the heap. Adaptive M Suspension is part of an optional Sport Package and enhances the Z4s handling characteristics. Operating from a CPU, it is constantly monitoring road conditions, and is so quick that BMW boasts that a front wheel crossing a hole sends compensating info to the rear wheels and shocks before they have a chance to reach the same hole.

Though our test car lacked the optional Sport Package, we were pleasantly pleased with its handling tenacity We found, thanks in part to a 50/50 balance, that steering response was very direct and easily adaptable via the Driving Dynamics control button (located to the left of the shift lever). While the Normal setting proved relaxing enough for everyday city driving in stop and go traffic, we couldn’t wait to get out of Malibu to put the Z4 through its paces. A definite difference was felt in Sport mode, which saw the throttle remapped for quicker starts and more direct steering response, while Sport+ went so far as to allow slight wheelspin from a standing start.

Leftlane’s bottom line
The new 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i features crisp new styling for the post-Bangle era of the company. The combination coupe/roadster sportscar offers the choice of covered or topless motoring in a high-performance setting with infinite driver controls to custom tailor the car’s performance and handling to suit its owner. The only Achilles heel in the whole shebang is the price. Though we had not even reached the tip of the options iceberg, we still found our tester priced at a near stratospheric $62,420.

2009 BMW Z4 sDrive35i base price, $51,650. As tested, $62,420.
Orion Silver metallic paint, $550; Premium Package, $2,500; Premium sound package, $2,000; Automatic transmission, $1,525; Ash wood trim, $500; Through-Loading System, $175; Navigation, $2,100; Satellite radio, $595; Destination, $825.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

26 Comments
  

LeftLane

Login

  • LeftLane

    Copyright © 2005 - 2012 Left lane News.
    All rights reserved.