Drivers now have the choice of the lightest production six-cylinder engine in the world powering their Coupe or the seven-times International Engine of the Year category-winning BMW Motorsport powerplant - a focused high-performance model line-up that will whet the appetites of motoring enthusiasts.
 

Z4 M Coupe

The new BMW Z4 M Coupe is powered by BMW's familiar 3,246cc Motorsport engine. Delivering 343hp at 7,900rpm, it easily surpasses the magical 100hp per litre benchmark for naturally-aspirated high performance engines. Maximum torque of 365Nm is achieved at 4,900rpm and, highlighting the powerplant's flexibility, 80 per cent is available below 2,000rpm.

Such sporting statistics translate into scintillating performance, with the new Z4 M Coupe posting a zero to 62mph time of 5.0 seconds before going on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. These commendable figures do not compromise the economy of the car, with the Coupe delivering a combined fuel consumption of 23.3mpg and recording a CO2 output of 292g/km.


Variable M differential

The high levels of power and torque are translated onto the road via a six-speed manual gearbox and BMW's Variable M differential. Unlike a standard fixed-ratio 'limited-slip diff', the Variable M differential delivers a fully variable zero to 100 per cent of available power to the wheel that can most use it in any given situation. It works by using a pump to generate internal pressure when a wheel starts to spin. This pressure is applied to a clutch that transfers power across the rear axle to the wheel with most grip. The result? Lateral cornering acceleration that is higher than is permitted by a conventional differential, a limited slip differential or any form of traction control system.


Z4 3.0si Coupe - fast and frugal

The 'entry-level' Z4 3.0si Coupe offers 265hp at 6,600rpm and peak torque of 315Nm at a relatively low 2,750rpm. These maximum performance levels are assisted by pressing the Sport button located in the centre console. One touch of the button quickens the throttle response as the car accelerates from zero to 62mph in 5.7 seconds and, if left unchecked, travel on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. However, this performance is not delivered at the expense of economy - the 3.0si model delivers a combined fuel consumption of 31.7mpg while emitting 213g/km of CO2.


Sport automatic gearbox

The new BMW Z4 3.0si comes with a six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox as standard. Those drivers preferring the choice of automatic transmission convenience and manual gearbox involvement will choose BMW's new Sport automatic transmission. Based on a conventional automatic gearbox, a new torque converter and software installation offers a 40 per cent improvement in the gearbox response time compared to a conventional automatic gearbox and a gear change time that is twice as fast.
 

The Sport automatic system features steering wheel-mounted paddles as a dynamic accompaniment to BMW's traditional Steptronic gear lever. Finally, in common with the sporting pedigree of the new Coupe, this automatic gearbox will blip the throttle on down changes.  


Rigid yet lightweight body and CSL suspension

A key aim for the Z4 engineers was to develop a roadster with the stiffest body structure of any open-topped car. Successfully achieved, the Coupe's foundations were immediately in place and the addition of a fixed roof increased the structural rigidity still further to 32,000Nm/degree. The Z4 Coupe features one of the stiffest body structures of any production car.

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