As a consequence, the new BMW Z4 Coupe will appeal to a deliberately limited market. In 2006, BMW UK expects to sell approximately 1,000 Coupes, of which about 200 are expected to be the high-performance Z4 M Coupe variant. 

"Most cars in the sporting coupe sector try to be a jack of all trades... and end up being the master of none,' said Jim O'Donnell, Managing Director of BMW (UK) Ltd. "The Z4 Coupe is different - it is a focused sports car aimed fairly and squarely at drivers who love driving."

BMW Z4 M Coupe, in particular, is an unashamed performance car as much at home on the race track as it is on the road," he continued. "This is not a car trying to be all things to all men."


Customer profile

The new BMW Z4 Coupe is a model that will appeal to a very select group of customers. Early indications suggest that the typical buyer of the Z4 3.0si and M Coupes will be male, married and aged between 35 and 45 years. But, male or female, the owner of a Z4 Coupe will be a driving enthusiast who enjoys the thrill of driving exclusive, high-performance sports cars.



Service Inclusive

As an added benefit to whole life ownership costs, buyers of the new Z4 3.0si Coupe can benefit from pre-paid servicing packages. For UK Pounds 430 owners get the three-year, 36,000 miles Service package that cover them for the cost of labour, brake fluid, air filters, micro filters, spark plugs, oil filters and engine oil. This rises to UK Pounds 500 for the five-year, 60,000 miles package.

For those wanting added peace of mind the Service and Maintenance package covers all the items in the Service package but also includes brake pads, brake discs, brake sensors, brake fluid, clutch assembly (if worn) and wiper blade rubbers. Cover at this level starts at UK Pounds 720 for three years, 36,000 miles rising to UK Pounds 950 for five years, 60,000 miles.

Service Inclusive is not available for owners of the BMW Z4 M Coupe.



Insurance ratings

The BMW Z4 3.0si SE and Sport models have been rated as group 18. The high performance Z4 M Roadster falls into the group 20 banding.



History

Since its first production car - the open-topped 1927 BMW 3/15 'Dixi' - BMW has consistently introduced sporting drivers' cars. Along the way, these cutting-edge cars have adopted new technologies and set performance and handling benchmarks to which other manufacturers aspired.

The 1936 BMW 328 set new standards for sports cars of the time while proving unbeatable in international sports car races in the two-litre class. The 1950s 507 was the first car to use a V8 aluminium cylinder block and the 1980s BMW Z1 used an entirely thermoplastic bodywork with vertically retracting doors.

Only two BMW roadsters, however, took the next step and spawned hardtop versions. In each case, the result has been an even more involving, even more focussed and dynamic driver's car.



BMW 328 Mille Miglia Coupe - 'almost' unique

The first - the 1940 BMW 328 Mille Miglia Coupe - was arguably BMWs most exclusive car, with only two examples ever built.

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