2009 BMW Z4 Review Summary & Specs
30i Roadster
All-new version features folding hardtop.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
The all-new 2009 BMW Z4 picks up right where the last generation left off, or as a more intimate, involving 6 Series cabrio. That it is a bit bigger and more luxurious doesn't indicate any loss of soul or enjoyment, and the folding hardtop offers the best of coupe and roadster forms with fewer of the drawbacks of either. We think it's the best sports car in this class short of the Porsche Boxster, and it can't switch between top-down roadster and hard top coupe the way the Z4 can.
G.R. Whale filed this NewCarTestDrive report from Los Angeles.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Sports Cars |
| Editor |
G.R. Whale |
| Model Lineup |
BMW Z4 sDrive30i ($45,750); sDrive35i ($51,650) |
| Engines (standard) |
3.0-liter dohc 24-valve I6 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
6-speed manual |
| Engines (optional) |
255-hp 3.0-liter I6; 300-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 |
| Transmissions (optional) |
6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic; 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
frontal airbags, side-impact head/thorax airbags, active knee protection, roll hoops; electronic stability control, ABS, EBD |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
Park Distance Control |
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Regensburg, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone |
|
| Manufacturer URL |
www.bmwusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP |
$45,750 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
BMW Z4 sDrive35i ($51,650) |
| Standard Equipment |
leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, brushed aluminum trim, electric power steering, power windows/locks/heated mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, adaptive Xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, message center, trip computer, CD/MP3/aux input audio system, adaptive brake lights |
| Destination Charge |
825 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
Metallic paint ($550); cold weather package ($1,000); premium package ($2,500); sport package ($2,300); Comfort Access ($500); navigation/HD radio ($2,100); satellite radio ($595) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Price as Tested |
$62,020 |
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power |
300 @ 5800 |
| Torque |
300 @ 1400-5000 |
| Fuel Economy |
18/25 |
| Wheelbase |
98.3 |
| Length/Width/Height |
166.9/70.5/50.8 |
| Track Front/Rear |
|
| Turning Radius |
35.1 |
| Seating Capacity |
2 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
39.1/na/42.2 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Trunk Volume |
10.9 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
|
| Front Suspension |
independent, coil springs, antiroll bar |
| Rear Suspension |
independent, coil springs, antiroll bar |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
3450 |
| Stock Tires |
225/40R18 front, 255/35R18 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity |
14.5 |