Remarkably, packing the aluminium roof in the back hasn’t resulted in a tall and ungainly boot. It maintains its predecessor’s low-slung rear end and gives the car the feel of a junior 6 Series, rather than that of a compact sports car with a big behind.
The added millimetres on the outside is also faithfully translated into cabin space. There’s clearly more elbow and headroom (with the roof in place). There’s also an extra pane of glass behind the window to enhance all-round visibility – a welcomed improvement.
By replacing the traditional handbrake with an electro-mechanical one, there’s now more space on the centre console to carve out a usable, lidded cubbyhole for knick-knacks and the obligatory iPod.
Even with the roof stowed in the boot, there’s still enough place for two soft overnight bags, making the Z4 a great car in which to go on road trips. A through access into the cabin even accommodates a chunky golf bag loaded lengthwise into the car.
As sampled in the 335i Coupe, the dual-clutch gearbox is a perfect substitute for the torque converter automatic transmission, expertly effecting gear changes smoothly when used in town.
In fact, the Z4 is far more adept at city movement than its predecessor. The suspension soaks up bumps with more pliancy than before, and there’s an assured sense of progressiveness about the steering.
But the Z4 hasn’t gone soft and forgotten its roots. Only now, its wild and aggressive side is girdled behind the “Sport” and “Sport+” modes, accessible via the Dynamic Drive Control.
Selecting either mode alters the sensitivity of the steering, engine and throttle, together with the speed of the transmission and the mapping for the traction control system. “Sports+” liberates the launch control feature, which hurls the car forward with tremendous ferocity.
Electronic intervention can be reduced or removed completely by a separate switch. But even with it in place, the chassis’ high limits mean that there’s rarely any need for the traction aids to intervene, unless you are just being plain silly.
With the gearbox in “Sport” or “Sport+”, changes are as aggressive as expected of current dual-clutch transmission technologies. Matched with the well-judged steering rack and the explosive 3-litre twin-turbo engine, the Z4 is an extremely capable driving machine for the meandering mountain roads on the test route.
The engine’s strong low and mid-range torque gives more than enough scope, even though it’s obviously most exciting at the higher reaches. The ability to be more relaxed in the power delivery is perhaps a good match for the new car’s slightly less demanding chassis.
This is in contrast to the old Z4’s more twitchy and eager character that’s best savoured with a revvy, naturally aspirated engine like the 3.0si.
In fact, for the majority of keen drivers, the slightly more rounded edge is actually more confidence-inducing, allowing the Z4 to carry greater speeds in the corners, the straights and everywhere else.
It’s not that the Z4 does things dramatically different from its predecessor, but with its plusher clothing and more sophisticated manners, the car can no longer be a left-field choice.
BMW Z4 3.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-6, 24-valves
Capacity 2979cc
Bore x stroke 89.6mm x 84mm
Compression ratio 10.2:1
Max power 306bhp at 5800rpm
Max torque 400Nm at 5000rpm
Power to weight 191.3bhp/tonne
Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
Driven wheels Rear
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 5.1 seconds
Top speed 250km/h
Consumption 11.1km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Independent struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Independent struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
Size ?225/35 R19 (front), 255/30 R19 (rear)
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction aids ?ABS, DSC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4239mm
Width 1790mm
Height 1291mm
Wheelbase 2496mm
Kerb weight 1600kg
Turning circle 10.7m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE Not available
Warranty Not available
+ Hardtop protection, brilliant engine and gearbox, depth of abilities
– Not quite hardcore, doesn’t possess quirkiness of a Z4 Coupe
