When the German automaker BMW introduced the new Z4 Roadster to the world with their Expression of Joy campaign they showed off the car creating automotive art in a series of bright and brilliant colors, however one shade that they left out was matte gray, just like the exterior of this slightly modified Z4. No this isn’t a new color option from the luxury automaker, but instead an aftermarket applied foil that drastically alters the appearance of BMW’s new hard top roadster. The BMW 313 performance bicolor rims don’t hurt either.
As it comes from the factory the BMW Z4 is available with two different versions of the 3.0 Liter inline six, the sDrive30i makes 255 HP, and the boosted sDrive35i uses a set of twin turbos to lay down a maximum of 300 HP. The hard top convertible Z4 can be shifted with either a 6 speed manual gearbox or BMW’s newly developed double clutch sport automatic gearbox. The BMW Z4 sDrive35i makes the 0 to to 60 MPH sprint in just 5.1 seconds with the manual transmission and one tenth faster with the sport tuned automatic. However both models are limited to a top speed of 130 MPH, but you can get up to 150 MPH with the optional Sport Package. Just don’t expect to find this matte grey option at the dealership.
The BMW tuners better known for stealing enginesout of M5s, G-Power are offering a much simpler way to get a bit more of a kick in the pants from your 3.0 Liter straight six cylinder BMW Z4 and E46 330i at a special price. Instead of swapping out the motor the German hot rod shop is selling the next generation SK Plus NG supercharger. With a modified blower drive gear that is both more efficient and good looking will produce 306 HP and 265 lb-ft of torque from your 3.0 Liter Bimmer of choice for under $5000, that’s not a bad price to pay to put a fresh breath of life back into your BMW whether it be a four door sedan or a drop top roadster.
Check out the press release after the jump for more details.
The Aachen based tuners at AC Schnitzer have just released a new modified version of the BMW Z4 Roadster. In standard trim the turbocharged Z4 produces 300 HP, but with a little motivation, AC Schnitzer has found another 60 HP which means that the BMW roadster goes from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.9 seconds and has an increased top speed of 177 MPH; not to mention the new aerodynamic pieces and endless wheel choices.
There is one group of automotive surgeons in Germany that specialize in transplanting the hearts out of the most powerful of BMW models and then inserting them into much smaller, lightweight and nimble chassis. So we weren’t too surprised when we came across the Manhart Racing M3TV10up for sale on the internet. At the time we were curious as to why the tuning specialist was getting rid of their utilitarian powerhouse, but now we know that it was just o make room and free up a little cash for their latest creation, the Manhart Racing BMW Z4 V10.
Following the same formula as most of their creations, the process started by removing the 5.0 Liter 550 HP engine and all the parts that make it work from a BMW M5 before they can squeeze it into the nose of the German automaker’s latest hard top roadster. Along with the engine transplant, the 6 speed manual transmission and rear differential are also incorporated into the build for their strength and proven ability to take the V10’s power. Finishing off the hardware is a Fichtel & Sachs clutch, an AC Schnitzer stainless steel exhaust and a pair of HJS racing catalytic converters to reduce the roadster’s emissions.
The ‘Billboard War’ between Audi and BMW has taken a new life of its own, thanks to the latter’s new Billboard in Ingolstadt, which incidentally, is the home turf of Audi.
If you recall, the two European automakers engaged in a ‘can-you-top-this?’ billboard duel in California, USA last April. The first salvo was thrown by Audi, which created a billboard for the Audi A4 with the tag line ‘Your move, BMW’ at its dealership along Santa Monica Boulevard. Not to be outdone, BMW commissioned Juggernaut Advertising, which came up with a brilliant response to Audi’s billboard. Across the street from the Audi billboard was put up, BMW produced a bigger billboard of its BMW M3 with the simple tag-line of ‘Checkmate’ – a direct reference to Audi’s slogan.
The crew at the BBC’s Top Gear recently went on safari to one of the most incredible reserves of all time. While they were there, the show’s ring leader Jeremy Clarkson observed two completely different beasts that were made from the same basic rear wheel layout. First up was the more luxurious twin turbocharged BMW Z4 roadster, followed by the modern day Datsun, Nissan’s 370Z. Whereas they both are powered by potent six cylinder engines the two fun to drive machines could not have been any different. The Bimmer was able to dispel Mr. Clarksons original misconception of BMW’s Z machine while Nissan’s version proved to be a pure sports car experience.
Its true that the current generation BMW M3 is without a doubt a genuine high performance machine, but the older E46 M3 is still looking as good as ever and can be had at quite a discount. So why ditch your slightly used car in favor of a brand new one especially when you can add a tuning kit like G-Power’s. The performance upgrade will not only boost the output of your Bimmer’s straight six up to 450 HP but will also increase handling performance and add some style with a new set of rolling stock. One of the best features of the G-Power kit is that there is no need to crack open the engine to fit forged pistons or reinforced connecting rods. Even the exhaust is left just like it came from the factory spitting out the spent gasses that the centrifugal supercharger pumped into the M-tuned engine.
The upgrade package also includes a set of G-POWER’s new Silverstone Diamond alloys measuring 20 inches in diameter and wrapped in very sticky MICHELIN Pilot Sport tires sized 245/30 in the front and 285/25 in the rear to complete the staggered setup. Hidden behind the new rims is a G-POWER coil-over suspension that is aimed at keeping body roll to a minimum and all four corners of the car planted firmly when the G-POWER M3 goes deep into a turn.
Even though you can use the stock exhaust, G-Power also offers a stainless steel sport muffler that features the legendary G-POWER “DEEPTONE” technology for the ultimate sound and performance. If you happen to be a fan of BMW roadsters, you will be happy to know that the kit will also fit the Z4M model.
We don’t normally make a practice of criticising our friends from Australia but just this one time, we’re left with no choice.
We’ve learned that the country’s advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standard Bureau has made a decision to ban the new BMW Z4 ‘Expressions of Joy’ campaign from Australian television.
We’d understand if there was some sort of justification as to why the advertisement met enough opposition to ban it, but according to the ASB, they decided to dismiss the ad because it promoted ‘car hoons to spin and burn their tyres’.
Say that again?
If you haven’t seen the ad, it pretty much involves a BMW Z4 driving on top of an enormous white canvas with trails of pain on its tires. As it drives around, it paints the canvas into the artwork that was envisioned by Robin Rhode and director Jake Scott. While the car doe do a number of drift-worthy spins, it does so under the banner of ‘art’, which apparently, the ASB misconstrued as promoting dangerous driving.
Top Speed has already shown you the German tuner Hamann’s take on BMW’s redesigned roadster, the Z4. There is another group of tuners in the Bavarian region that are out to make the drop top Bimmer even more of a sporty ride.
The tuning house G-Power starts off by adding a set of their signature Silverstone wheels and height-adjustable G-POWER coil-overs in order to achieve the perfect stance. The GZ4-RS, 9 way adjustable shock absorbers also help to tune the dampening characteristics of the Z4 to work best with the sticky 295 series rubber incase there is a challenge regarding the vehicle’s handling abilities.
The German mechanics have managed to keep the grease out from under their fingernails. Tahnks to factory plug and play connectors, they have been able to extract an additional 45 HP from the car’s twin turbo straight six 100% electronically, increasing the output of G-Power’s Z4 sDrive 35i to 345 HP, good enough to get the new BMW to sprint from 0 to 60 PH in just 4.7 seconds down from the standard version’s 5.1 second 0 to 60 MPH time.
The German tuners Hartge have just released a host of accessories for BMW’s latest hard top roadster, the Z4. Parts include a new stainless steel exhaust, new gauges, aluminum pedals and a host of new emblems. The most striking addition to the Hartge Z4 are the company’s signature design rims, offered in bot 18 and 19 inches.
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