Barely a month after being officially revealed, BMW’s all-new roadster, the Z4, has been spied in India. Sources tell us that the new Z4 is likely to launch in our market sometime next year and the spy images show that it may arrive in two variants – the top-spec M40i and a lower-spec model, either the sDrive20i or the sDrive30i.
The range-topping M40i is powered by a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol motor that makes 340hp and 500Nm of torque, and is claimed to achieve the 0-100kph sprint in 4.6 seconds, while hitting a top speed of 250kph. The sDrive20i and sDrive30i both employ the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine though the former has it in a 197hp state of tune, while the latter gets it in a 258hp state of tune. The sDrive20i can be specced with wither a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic, while the other two variants get the 8-speed automatic standard.
Visually, the top-spec trim differentiates itself with the use of rectangular exhausts and differently designed, 19-inch alloy wheels, which are larger than those found on lower variants.
As we had reported previously, the new Z4 has been co-developed with Toyota’s new Supra coupe and shares its new platform (codenamed G29) with the Japanese model. However, the Porsche 718 Boxster rival borrows chassis, suspension and electrical components from BMW’s cluster architecture (CLAR) platform, used on the 5-series, 7-series, X3, X4 and X5.
Compared to the older model, which was on sale in India in sDrive 35i spec, the new Z4 is larger yet lighter. While it keeps the front-engine rear wheel-drive layout, weight distribution is still 50:50, front to rear.
The cabin of the new Z4 sports a new driver-centric dashboard with technology borrowed from BMW’s sedans, including a new digital instrument display and a touchscreen infotainment system.
When BMW had the previous-gen Z4 on sale in India, it was priced at about Rs 80 lakh. Expect this new model to cost a marginal premium over the older model, which will be brought in via the CBU route as well.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
