The customized soft top on the 2022 BMW Z4 Roadster can be raised or lowered in around 10 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. In order to lessen road noise, enhance cabin acoustics, and aid in preventing break-ins when the car is parked, the top has been specially strengthened with panels.
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The engineers decided against employing a folding hardtop.
A hardtop version of the new roadster is not planned, according to BMW Z4 design leader Calvin Luk, even though a Toyota Supra convertible is at least being discussed within the Japanese carmaker.
We didn’t need to build up an alternative because, according to Luk, “from the beginning, we knew that it was going to be a soft-top largely just because of the performance advantage in terms of the weight.”
Overview
BMW sports cars are known for their confident handling and potent turbocharged engines, and the 2022 Z4 convertible meets those expectations. However, its upmarket cabin, which is cozy enough to be used as a daily driver, also contributes to its appeal. An energetic turbocharged four-cylinder serves as the base engine, but the M40i model’s more aggressive twin-turbo inline-six is available. All Z4s have rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission that is equally at home cruising down the highway as it is engaging in sportier driving. Although the handling isn’t as precise as a Porsche Boxster, it’s nevertheless really entertaining on a winding road. The Z4 is only available as a softtop convertible, but if you’d like a hardtop coupe, check out the Toyota Supra, which was built alongside the BMW and has a fundamentally comparable drivetrain.
There is a reason why BMW does not offer the Z4 as a coupe.
The new BMW Z4 is a gorgeous soft-top convertible, but despite the fact that the hardtop version of the predecessor was also offered, BMW Z4 design chief Calvin Luk has ruled out the option of doing so for the new roadster.
We didn’t need to build up an alternate because, according to Luk, “from the beginning we knew that it was going to be a soft-top largely just because of the performance advantage in terms of the weight.” However, BMW would find it difficult to justify producing a Z4 hardtop in light of the fact that it collaborated with Toyota on the new Supra coupe.
The design director continued by saying that BMW’s engineering division, not the designers, took the choice to only sell the new Z4 with a soft roof. He answered, “More coming from engineering.” “I would anticipate it to be engineering – performance-related,” the speaker said. “I think largely engineering; there may have been some market feedback influence on that.”
For the new-generation roadster, which also uses aluminum panels between the layers of cloth to keep the car looking elegant while the roof is up, the soft-top was adopted to save weight, claims Luk.
The interview also shows that because BMW views the Z4 as a niche product, Luk was granted a great deal of creative leeway when designing it. The unusual Z8 roadster from 2000 to 2003 served as inspiration for the design, which is apparent in the headlamp layout, which employs stacked semi-hexagonal LED headlights as opposed to a horizontal layout like other BMW models. But it took Luk 18 months to convince BMW management to switch from the conventional horizontal slats to a mesh-style twin-kidney grille.
In the US, there are two variations of the Z4: the Z4 sDrive30i, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and the range-topping M40i.
Shop nearby for the 2020 BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 makes an unexpected, but not unwelcome, comeback after a two-year absence. The Z4 appeared to be dead and buried for a time; the hardtop convertible was discontinued as a 2016 model, and nobody seemed to be that sad about it. The earlier model had some weird aesthetics and was adequate, but it didn’t drive well enough to stand out.
In 2019, the Z4 made a comeback thanks to a partnership between BMW and Toyota that produced a sports car for each brand. Toyota brought the Supra back to life, and BMW revived the Z4 roadster, this time with a soft top, excellent weight distribution, and a promise of more sportiness.
BMWZ4
Roadster production at BMW dates all the way back to its founding. For the sake of creating enjoyable to drive roadsters, it kept doing so. The Z4’s new generation was introduced in 2018. The new generation is exclusively offered as a roadster, as opposed to the previous version, which was also offered with a retractable hardtop. The 2018 Toyota Supra is the only option for those seeking a coupe.
Does the BMW Z4 have a convertible hardtop?
BMW Z4 models from 2015 The two-seat convertible 2015 BMW Z4 has a retractable hardtop canopy. With respect to engine selection, there are three versions: Drive35i, Drive28i, and Drive35is
Is there a hardtop convertible BMW available?
There are four different body types available for the 2017 BMW 6 Series, including the Coupe, Gran Coupe, Convertible, and ALPINA B6. There is no hardtop option for this model because the Convertible option is equipped with cutting-edge BMW soft top technology.
In 2022, will BMW produce a hardtop convertible?
The BMW M4 open-top adds more power but loses its retractable hard top. This all-wheel drive convertible will be a part of the 2022 BMW M4 lineup and go on sale in the United States this fall. With 503 horsepower, it boasts 59 more than previous Competition versions and will only be offered in Competition trim.
The BMW Z4 switched to a hardtop in what year?
The 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit saw the world premiere of the second-generation Z4, which had been revealed on December 13 of the previous year. There were separate roadster and coupe variants of the automobile because it was the first Z Series model to utilize a retractable hardtop.
Will the BMW Z4 go down in history?
There are often a few requirements that must be satisfied before a car can be considered a “future classic.” First and foremost, it must be enjoyable to drive because if no one wants to drive it, no one will want to buy it. The next requirement is that it must be significant, either to the brand or to the larger automobile industry. Usually, it is advantageous if the model has a background. Finally, it must be able to perform a task that many of its rivals are unable to. Unknown to most, the G29 BMW Z4 M40i is an unexpected future classic that we are already living with.
Where is the BMW Z4 manufactured?
The Z4 is now different. The previous model, with its folding roof and cuddly characteristics, primarily targeted the Mercedes SLK (now SLC). The new model’s top is made of cloth, which reduces its weight and center of gravity. It is obviously making fun of the Porsche 718, which is now susceptible as a result of the old flat six’s much-lamented retirement.
We are operating a Z4 with a M in its name to demonstrate its sporty leanings. The Z4 M40i is a part-way M vehicle. It has a turbo six with 340 horsepower. The 30i and 20i have additional four-cylinder engines.
Certainly, sporty. The “Ring time” is easily under eight minutes, hello internet. Hot laps are made easier by the Z4’s size. For agility, the wheelbase is drastically reduced by 20 cm from previously. For better grip, the track is substantially broader. Compared to the original Z4’s body, this one is much stiffer and lighter.
Unlike previous BMWs, the front suspension is mounted precisely to a unique aluminum subframe. There are other declarations of purpose than those. The tires of the Z4 M40i come from the M4. Its brakes were also created by M. In between the rear half-shafts, there is an e-diff. You get my point.
Toyota is to blame for the Z4’s existence. Toyota intended to build a new Supra but lacked a platform. BMW was unsure if it could sell enough Z4s to justify replacing them because the roadster market was waning. However, sharing might appease the spreadsheet whizzes. Of course, BMW is one of the world’s most adamant opponents of straight-six engines and rear-wheel drive, two Supra tenets.
Therefore, the Supra receives the majority of the Z4’s core engineering, which is made by BMW. Since the 2017 7-er, every longitudinal automobile BMW has released has utilised pieces from their current set, including the engine, suspension, and fundamental platform components, as well as electronics. Compared to the Z4, the Supra has a distinct tuning and setup. Both vehicles are produced at a BMW-supervised line in the Austrian Magna facility.
So, if you care about a car’s “brand purity,” you’ll want the Z4. The Z4 is also a roadster if that is what you want. A coupe, the Supra, plays to a distinct, JDM-influenced aesthetic. Because of this, these cars authentically appeal to various demographics despite sharing a common base.
Is a BMW Z4 safe to drive?
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The 2019 Euro NCAP crash test gave the BMW Z4 a perfect score of five stars. The two-seat convertible received an outstanding 97% rating for protecting adult occupants, while child passenger safety received an 87% rating.
What we can say is that, should the worst occur, there is a ton of technology accessible. In addition to the apparent airbags, anti-lock brakes, chassis stability, and tyre-pressure monitoring, autonomous emergency braking is also included in the standard equipment list.
Unfortunately, you must’spec up’ from the options list if you want all of the safety benefits the Z4 can offer. The options list includes adaptive anti-dazzle headlights, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and parking assistance.
Though one would assume a BMW would be dependable, the German automaker placed 27th out of 30 brands in our 2020 Driver Power customer satisfaction study.
Mind you, there is nothing inherently wrong with the Z4’s perceived build quality. The materials used feel high-quality, and the assembly appears to be very nicely done.
Is the BMW Z4 a trustworthy vehicle?
To help you find the optimal balance of price AND dependability, CoPilot Compare lays down the pricing and feature differences between BMW Z4 years.
The Z4 has a solid reputation for being a reliable and efficient model as well as an excellent automobile all around. BMW is a brand that frequently enjoys high levels of customer loyalty. Although there are still a few BMW Z4 years to steer clear of, this is generally a dependable choice.
Of course, the top models’ dependability actually makes it even more crucial to ensure that you’re staying away from the years that don’t operate as well. You won’t necessarily pay extra for those models, especially when compared to other cars, but you don’t want to acquire a lemon when you’re hoping to get an absolutely dependable car.
In order to prevent the most frequent Z4 issues and identify which particular models are generally more dependable, let’s take a deeper look at the BMW Z4 years.