BMW BLOG

BMW has not forgotten their core enthusiasts. This was the conclusion drawn by Autocar UK after test driving the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is.

The sporty version of the Z4 35i was unveiled  back in December and aside from the visual enhancements, it brings out some consistent power upgrades. The 3.0L twin-turbocharged direct-fuel-injected inline-6 engine produces 335hp at 5,900 rpm and 332lb-ft of torque at 1,500-4,500 rpm. An overboost function gives the Z4 35is an whopping 369lb-ft of torque.

The engine is matted to a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch) transmission. The Z4 35is runs from 0 to 62 mph in only 4.8 seconds, eclipsing the Boxster S’s time by 0.5sec, and has the usual maximum speed limit set at 155 mph.

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Seven months later and famous german tuner Hartge, offers an upgrade to the body kit and wheels revealed back in May. While the initial kit focused mostly on the wheels, exhaust system and slightly upgraded interior options, the new offerings are far more extensive.

For the exterior, Hartge has created a new front apron that covers the air inlets, carbon fiber mirror caps, a discreet boot lid spoiler, a wind deflector, pin stripes and a four-piece exhaust system. The exterior kit can now successfully compete with the M Sport Package unveiled recently by BMW.

Known for their wheels, Hartge offers an even larger variety of alloy wheels, ranging from 18 to 20 inches in size. The ride has also been lowered due to a new suspension kit.

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Our good friends over at Autoblog decided to take the 2009 BMW Z4 for another spin, but this time, they settled for the sDrive30i, the roadster powered by the normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine.

Since we’ve driven both models in the past, we’re a bit inclined to adore more the sDrive35i model, the high-end roadster that gave us back the driving thrill we’ve been craving for, but we’re fully aware that the entry-level model in the North American market will be sufficient for a large variety of buyers.

So let’s take a look at the review as published by Autoblog.

“Our tester was a base sDrive30i, and as an entry-level model, our Bimmer was devoid of many higher-end toys like satellite navigation, which in turn meant that it had no iDrive controller. As much as the latest iteration of this all-in-one GUI controller has been improved, we were actually quite happy to have a driving environment free of such complexities, as going without seems more in keeping with the spirit of a roadster anyhow. Thankfully, in the iDrive’s place there’s a set of well arrayed and pleasingly straightforward controls.

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On their homepage, BMW Motorsport announces a new model due out in the second quarter of 2010: BMW Z4 GT3. To our surprise, the Z4 GT3 is being listed as powered by the 4.0 liter V8 engine found in the current M3. The 480 horsepower engine has been rumored for quite some time as not being suitable for the Z4, hence the lack of an M version of the new roadster. The engine is matted to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

The BMW Z4 GT3 listed there has an estimated price of 298,000 euros ($427,000 at the current rate exchange). Yes, the estimated price is quite high and no one is denying this, but keep in mind, this is a factory built race car for top racing teams to compete in specific classes.

As part of its customer racing programme, BMW Motorsport is offering private teams another attractive car from 2010: the BMW Z4 GT3. This sports car is an impressive addition to the BMW product range and offers drivers and teams the opportunity to compete in international and national championships in accordance with GT3 regulations – such as the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open and the ADAC GT Masters – as well as in 24-hour endurance races.

Not the actual car featured here

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Okay, so we did the comparison of the Audi TTS versus the brand new BMW Z4 sDrive35is. As many of you have pointed out, the TTS is not the real competitor for the Z4is simply because it is outgunned. If you brought the TTS to a race track to meet up with the new sDrive35is, people would look at you as if you had just brought a turbocharged Beetle to do battle.

But once you get to the Audi TT RS, the real competition begin….

This time, we’re going to give you the appropriate comparison and do things a bit differently. Instead of placing the information in a paragraph about each car, we are  going to display the technical specifications in its own area listing the car and all of its attributes.

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These days, it’s less about who makes what car and what company doesn’t make that car, because, pretty much, everyone makes the same kind of car. It now comes down to which one you’d rather have. Sure, we’re BMWBLOG, I’d rather have the Z4 sDrive35is. But the Audi TTS is a darn nice car. It drives well, looks great, handles very well, and the interior is gorgeous. But truth is that this isn’t a showdown of which one we like better. It’s a numbers game. And it’s a game where you guys pick the winner.

To start off, the Audi TTS has been on the market a year already. It’s been shown as Audi’s answer to the more performance style of the Porsche Cayman and Boxster, along with BMW’s Z4. It comes in either coupe or convertible. It has a direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder making 265hp at 6000 rpm and 258lb-ft of torque between 2500-5000 rpm. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, and the only way you can option the TTS. It comes with S tronic automanual only, and does well with an Audi claimed 0-60 of 4.9 seconds for the coupe and 5.1 seconds for the convertible, respectively. With a curb weight of just 3,241lbs, the Audi is actually pretty light on its feet.

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Minutes after the breaking news on the new 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, we learned that as of Spring 2010, all the Z4 models in the BMW lineup will receive an optional M Package that emphasizes the sporty nature of the vehicle.

First photos just made our way and we’re glad to share them with you in the following sDrive30i gallery.

Both front and rear bumpers receive a more aggressive look. The large air intakes at the front enhance the muscular look of the Z4 Roadster. At the rear, all models with M Sport Package feature diffuser insert in anthracite which distinguishes the sDrive35is from the regular Z4.

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Hours ago, BMW took the cover off their latest Z4 Roadster model: sDrive35is. As many have mentioned, the upgrade and updated roadster sports M-like capabilities, minus the M badge. The sDrive35is carries under the hood an upgraded version of the popular N54, the award winning six-cylinder 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine found in the regular 35i roadster.

The tuned up engine produces 335 horsepower (340hp in Europe) at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft in “regular mode”. An electronically-controlled overboost function can briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft. This brings the torque peak to 369 lb-ft. The engine is matted to 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) with SPORT and SPORT+ driving modes. Unofficial, preliminary numbers show that the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is runs from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

Even though it doesn’t carry the M badge, the BMW Z4 sDrive35is includes new M Sport upgrades such as adaptive M Suspension and M Aerodynamics. The adaptive M Suspension combines a ride-height reduction of 10 millimeters (almost 0.4”) with electronically controlled shock absorbers. Special M-Sport 18-inch light-alloy wheels in five-spoke design round off the sporty character of the Z4 sDrive35is. 19-inch wheels are being offered as well, at extra cost.

After the extensive photo gallery released earlier, BMW publishes a series of videos showing the new sDrive35is.

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