BMW Z4 M Coupe: A Sports Car for Very Special Moments
The BMW Z4 M Coupe is a sports car for very special moments – moments the driver may well experience every mile on the road. Uncompromising, purist, and extremely powerful, this two-seater offers an unparalleled experience of undiluted dynamism both in everyday traffic and on the race track. Without doubt, its prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M power unit developing maximum output of 333 bhp offers performance of the highest conceivable standard.
Over and above the sheer power of the engine also borne out by maximum torque of 262 lb-ft, the BMW Z4 M Coupe stands out in particular through its chassis and suspension designed and built to convey enormous power safely and smoothly to the road. Indeed, the unique character of this equally unique sports car is expressed most convincingly by its high standard of agility and spontaneity in responding to all of the driver’s commands.
The Athletic and Authentic Design of the BMW Z4 M Coupe
Even at very first sight, the BMW Z4 M Coupe offers a clear impression of the purist diving pleasure this unique car is able to provide. The entire front section of the Z4 M Coupe – like that of the BMW Z4 M Roadster – emanates a thrilling sense of power and forward-urging dynamism. Seen from the side, the design of this two-door sports machine with its sleek roof extending down to the rear in typical coupe style and the “Hofmeister kick” characteristic of all BMW models, looks particularly dynamic and powerful. The BMW Z4 M Coupe is also unmistakable, dynamic and full of character from behind: The passenger compartment merges dynamically into the rear end of the car, giving the rear wheel arches a particularly powerful and muscular look.
High-speed Power Unit for Incomparable Performance
BMW’s new two-seater is powered by the same prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M engine also featured in the BMW M3 and the BMW Z4 Roadster. The engine’s performance figures are indeed impressive at very first sight: 3,246 cc displacement, 333 bhp maximum output at an engine speed of 7,900 rpm, maximum engine speed of 8,000 rpm. And no less than 80 per cent of the engine’s maximum torque of 262 lb-ft is available at the driver’s request from just 2,000 rpm.
Output per liter is 103 bhp, giving the Z4 M Coupe a power-to-weight ratio of just 9.9 lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph comes in 4.8 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph.
The Pleasure of Shifting Gears Six Times Over
The concept of a high-speed engine is particularly impressive whenever the torque available is converted into optimum thrust and power on the road by a short overall transmission ratio. And precisely this is what the BMW Z4 M Coupe has to offer, with its six-speed manual gearbox laid out for optimum performance throughout the engine’s entire gearshift and speed range. Short gearshift travel, precise action of the shift lever, and close increments between the six gears – these are the typical features of this outstanding transmission.
Outperforms BMW M3 on Nordschleife, Brakes from M3 CSL
The superior engine and drivetrain of the BMW Z4 M Coupe are matched by an equally superior high-performance suspension. In its basic concept, the suspension is identical to that of the BMW Z4 M Roadster, but has nevertheless been geared specifically to the particular requirements of the fixed-head model. Just how perfectly all the car’s components harmonize with one another is clearly proven by the BMW Z4 M Coupe on the Nordschleife, the Northern Circuit of Nurburgring, where the Z4 M Coupe outperforms the lap times of even the BMW M3 and the BMW Z4 M Roadster.
The chassis and suspension of the BMW Z4 M Coupe is identical in many respects to the chassis and suspension of the BMW M3, with a wide range of shared components. One example is the M differential lock on the rear axle, while the highly effective 18-inch compound brake system comes straight from the BMW M3 CSL. BMW’s DSC Dynamic Stability Control, in turn, supplements the suspension with its significant safety reserves whenever the going gets critical.
The Interior is Concentrating on Sports Motoring
The interior of the BMW Z4 M Coupe combines a modern ambience in sporting and purist look with a supreme standard of sophisticated style, design and function all coming together in one harmonious concept. The cockpit is tailored consistently to the driver, with all controls and instruments placed perfectly on or around the steering wheel for supreme ergonomics. Multi-function buttons featured as standard help the driver concentrate on the essential, operating the telephone or audio system at the touch of a finger, without having to take his hand off the steering wheel.
The new Z4 Coupe is due to start production at BMW’s manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA in April 2006 with customer deliveries starting in August 2006.
Reply With Quote