Wallpapers: 2013 BMW Z4 Facelift in Valencia Orange

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

At the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, BMW introduced the Z4 facelifted model.

The very mild styling updates include new headlights that now feature LED rings in a new stunning 3 dimensional design topped off with LED accent lights. New side gills enhance the already flowing style of the side of the car.

For the first time, the BMW Z4 is offered in the striking and once upon a time exclusive Valencia Orange color. The beautiful orange paint made its debut with the 1 Series M Coupe. To further match the interior with the exterior design, BMW offers the Hyper Orange Design package that includes orange contrast stitching on black leather seats.

The current Z4 debut’d in 2009 and thankfully the Z4 sDrive 35is retains the N54 producing a prodigious 335hp and 332 lb-ft of torque mated to a 7 speed DCT. 0-60 is just a mere 4.8 seconds away.

BMW Z4 facelift will be available in Spring.

Video: 2013 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Horatiu Boeriu

Last month BMW premiered the facelifted version of the BMW Z4 Roadster. The Z4 LCI goes on sale this Spring and it brings a mild update to the exterior and interior design, starting with slightly refreshed headlights and the addition of side gills.

The car also gets new paint finishes, Hyper Orange Design package, a new alloy wheel and the M Sport package.

While many expected an M Performance Automobile based on the Z4, the Bavarians decided to keep the sDrive35is as their highest-offering in the family and it comes with a model-specific version of the M Sport package.

The top-range Z4 sDrive35is features a higher-output version of BMW’s N54 Twin-Turbo engine producing 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque and the 7-speed DCT. The top model goes from 0 – 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds without a penalty to the EPA mileage estimates.

The BMW Z4 sDrive28i, BMW Z4 sDrive35i and BMW Z4 sDrive35is are also offered with Kansas leather trim.

In the lengthy video below you can have a closer look at all the features of the new Z4.

BMW Z4 M35i coming to 2013 Detroit Auto Show

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Horatiu Boeriu

BMWBLOG has just learned that BMW plans to unveil the M Performance version of the Z4 Roadster at next year’s Detroit Auto Show. The BMW Z4 M35i joins the family of M Performance Automobiles and will be replacing the current Z4 sDrive35is model.

Under the hood, the Z4 M35i will continue to use the same powerplant as the M135i model, a 3-liter, straight six-cylinder engine and 235 kW/320 hp and 450 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. The technology package includes a TwinScroll turbocharger, direct High Precision Injection with central multi-hole injectors, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and Double VANOS variable camshaft timing.

The roadster will get the now usual M Performance Automobiles treatment, an aggressive front and rear-end design, along with an M tuned chassis and suspension, as well a stiffer steering wheel.

Other styling changes will include updated LED lights, side mirror signal indicators and an M-only color. The interior will bring exclusive trim colors, a redesigned steering wheel and the latest updates in infotainment.

The super sporty Z4 M35i will run against established competitors like the Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, Audi TT RS roadster and Porsche Boxster S.

BMW Z4 Facelift is on its way with a mild refresh

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Horatiu Boeriu

In 2009, the E89 BMW Z4 came to market. The two seater roadster featured for the first time a retractable hardtop like the Mercedes SLK while maintaining its long hood and short overhangs. Now, the E89 Z4 is due for BMW’s usual life cycle impulse (LCI), or in other words, a facelift.

Minimally disguised prototypes are running around in Germany, an indication of a release in the next few months. Based on the recent spy photos, we can deduct that the changes are minor, mostly around the headlights, taillights, side mirrors and gills which we expect to follow a similar design as seen on the 6 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe.

The lights will feature brighter daytime running lights with white corona rings and the illuminated eyebrow at the top of the light unit. The side mirrors will also house the signal indicators, despite missing from the recent spy photos.

Inside, the driver and his occupant will enjoy the latest generation iDrive and navigation system, along with the a free-standing display that will replace the currently installed folding monitor.

Under the hood, the entry-level Z4 models will take advantage of the turbocharged four-cylinder engines paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission. We also believe that the Z4 sDrive35i model will use an updated six-cylinder 3.0 liter twin-scroll engine that offers lower fuel consumption as well. It remains unknown at the moment what BMW plans to do with its high-end Z4 sDrive35is model. The idea of a Z4 tuned by M and sold under the new M Performance Automobiles family sounds pretty appealing to us.

The BMW Z4 LCI will launch in time for the 2013 top down season.

[Photo by Autoblog]

Renderings: BMW Z4 Facelift

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Horatiu Boeriu

Next year, BMW will bring to market the facelift version of their only roadster available for sale: the Z4. Launched in 2009, the Z4 Roadster is due for the typical BMW life cycle impulse and it’s expected to inherit some of the design cues seen on recently launched models, like the new F30 3 Series.

A rendering by Carscoop showcases a Z4 with heavy influences from the aforementioned 3 Series, starting with the headlights that now end into the double kidney grilles which are also more pronounced than the previous model. The headlights also wrap around the fenders giving the car an even more road-focused look. At the rear we anticipate minor changes to the tailights.

In the U.S., the company sells three models: the entry-level sDrive28i, the high-end sDrive35i and the “wannabe” Z4M dubbed 35is. The 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i was the first four-cylinder engine into the U.S. market and comes powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that replaces the venerable N52B30 six-cylinder naturally aspirated unit.

Its replacement provides equivalent or better performance, refinement, and smoothness with two fewer cylinders. With 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, it offers more power and torque than BMW’s normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-6 that it replaces in the Z4 sDrive30i.

In the sDrive35i form, the roadster outputs 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. With a manual transmission, the new Z4 goes from still to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, just .1 second slower than the old Z4 M. The sDrive35i weighs around 3,400 lbs.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is made its world debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The sDrive35is carries under the hood an upgraded version of the popular N54 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine. The tuned up engine produces 335 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft in “regular mode”. An electronically-controlled overboost function can briefly increase torque under full load by another 37 lb-ft. This brings the torque peak to 369 lb-ft.BMW Z4 sDrive35is runs from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

First photos of the 2013 BMW Z4 Facelift will hit the interwebs sometimes at the end of this year.