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Full Press Release Kit

More than any other sports car in the world, this unique car embodies the typical roadster: The BMW Z4 Roadster thrills the car world through its fascinating, sporting dynamism created by a perfect synthesis of a high-performance power unit, the outstanding chassis and suspension, and
in­novative features all round. And not least it is the wonderful design of the BMW Z4 Roadster which makes this car so unique, desirable and a genuine must-have. And now, four years after its world debut, the BMW Z4 Roadster is making a new, brilliant appearance with new engines.

Marking another highlight on the same occasion, the only purist high-performance roadster in the world is making its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show in Detroit in January 2006: The upcoming BMW Z4 M Roadster is the high-performance ultra-sports version of the Z4 Roadster so many cus­tomers have been waiting for. Extending BMW’s roadster family right at the top, this unique car takes up and continues the brand’s tradition in a seg­ment originally created by BMW M in the first place: Back in 1997, the BMW Z3 M Roadster marked the world’s first high-performance production roadster, with more than 15,000 units being sold to customers by the year 2002, making the Z3 M Roadster the best seller in its class and the absolute leader in dynamic performance, agility, and sportiness.

The Z4 M Roadster: Awe-Inspiring Performance in Every Respect.

Boasting BMW M’s straight-six power unit, the Z4 M Roadster features a high-performance engine unparalleled in the roadster market: In 2005 this unique engine received the “Engine of the Year Award” acknowledged and highly respected the world over for the fifth time in a row, setting up a record never seen before. Through its high-speed concept and virtually optimum transmission ratios, this outstanding power unit generates enormous thrust and performance in all speed ranges. Its specifications alone are very im­press­ive: six cylinders, 3,246 cc, 252 kW/343 hp at 7,900 rpm, 365 Newton-metres/269 lb-ft at 4,900 rpm, maximum engine speed 8,000 rpm.

Two other figures perhaps say even more about the engine’s outstanding performance: Output per litre is 106 hp and the power-to-weight ratio is 4.1 kilos/hp. On the road this means acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, with the same short time of 5.0 seconds being required for intermediate acceleration in fourth gear from 80–120 km/h (50–75 mph). Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

 The Joy of Shifting Gears Six Times Over.

The high-speed engine concept is simply ideal for a sports car in combina­tion with a short overall transmission ratio, since this allows the conversion of engine power into optimum thrust on the rear wheels. And combining the M final drive with a six-speed manual gearbox, the engineers at BMW M
are able to fulfil this requirement to the highest standard. Short and crisp shift travel, supreme running smoothness, and precise guidance of the shift lever with sensitive feedback ensuring that the gear is properly in mesh, are typi­cal fortes of this transmission.

Variable M Differential Lock for Supreme Power in Bends.

The Z4 M Roadster comes with the speed-sensitive variable M differential lock already well-known and greatly admired on the M3. This special feature gives the car both superior driving stability and optimum traction especially when accelerating out of a bend. Allowing a very sporting style of motoring, especially on roads with a higher frictional coefficient, the M differential lock enables the experienced driver to enhance the positive features of rear-wheel drive to an even higher standard. Under challenging conditions such as a different frictional coefficient on each side of the car typical of winter weather and road surfaces, the system gives the Z4 M Roadster supreme traction
and stability.

New Six-Cylinder Power Units for the Z4 Roadster.

While the six- and four-cylinder power units featured in the BMW Z4 Road­ster naturally cannot match the output and performance of the M engine, they are everything but under-powered. Indeed, the new 3.0-litre straight-six in the BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0si is currently the most innovative engine in its class, setting the standard in motoring refinement and dynamic perform­ance. Further strengths are the engine’s high output per litre, a very good power-to-weight ratio, and the lowest specific fuel consumption. Maximum output is 195 kW/265 hp at 6,600 rpm, maximum engine speed is 7,000 rpm,and the engine maintains its peak torque of 315 Newton-metres or 232  lb-ft maintained consistently from 2,500–4,000 rpm. Complying, last but not least, with both the EU4 and ULEV II standards, this outstanding power unit is also a role model from the perspective of the environment.

The most striking feature from the customer’s perspective in comparison with the former engine is the sporting responsiveness of the new power unit in conjunction with thrilling engine sound whenever the driver calls up its power, as well as supreme refinement and motoring culture when cruising or just breezing along.