BMW Z4 sDrive35is: The Top Performer in the Roadster Range

Performance Motors Limited has just announced important details about the new new BMW Z4 sDrive35is. This car combines classic proportions with modern sportiness, and offers a new dimension in performance and driving dynamics. Please refer to the press release below for more information, the price list, and specifications.

The Top Performer in the Roadster Range: The BMW Z4 sDrive35is

July 2010 – Combining classic proportions with modern sportiness, the new BMW Z4 has reached the top of its market segment almost overnight. Now this charismatic roadster is entering a new dimension in driving dynamics.

The new BMW Z4 sDrive35 offers an even higher standard of performance ensured firstly, by the modified straight-six power unit with BMW Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection, and also by BMW’s seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation and the M Sports Package including the adaptive M Suspension likewise featured as standard.

Appropriate optimisation in engine technology increases maximum output of the 3.0-litre power unit to 340 hp. Peak torque is 450 Nm, increasing briefly with the Overboost function to 500 Nm. The outstanding power and performance of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is expressed in particular by the significant increase in pulling power and muscle to be clearly experienced in all situations. In conjunction with seven-speed Sport Automatic featuring double clutch operation, this new top-of-the-range Roadster accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds.

More air, more boost, more torque, more driving pleasure.
The twin-turbo straight-six power unit already giving the BMW Z4 sDrive35i truly impressive dynamics and all-round performance is characterised in particular by its spontaneous and direct response to the gas pedal, fascinating free-revving performance, and unusually economical use of fuel for a car in this class. Now the outstanding potential of this power unit is being put to even greater use in the new version of the BMW Roadster, features such as optimised air supply and increased boost pressure ensuring an even better flow of power with the same high standard of efficiency.

The combination of BMW Twin Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection offers a level of performance a naturally-aspirated power unit would only be able to provide with a larger number of cylinders and extra displacement, meaning far higher weight and significantly greater fuel consumption.

Instead, the BMW Twin Turbo power unit uses two small turbochargers which, through their low inertia, cut in from the start at relatively low engine speeds, each supplying three cylinders with compressed air. As a result, power and performance are built up with a level of spontaneity quite unusual on a turbocharged engine. The turbocharger system developed for the power unit of the new BMW Z4 sDrive35is maintains a high boost pressure throughout the entire load range. Peak torque now increased to 450 Nm from a low 1,500 rpm and is maintained consistently all the way to 4,500 rpm. Maximum output of 340 hp, in turn, is delivered at  5,900rpm.

Overboost function for particularly dynamic acceleration.
Modified engine management on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is also allows the use of an Overboost function briefly increasing engine torque under full load by another 50 Nm. The peak thus offered of 500 Nm gives the car particularly fast, dynamic and powerful acceleration, the BMW Z4 sDrive35is completes the sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Through its particular characteristics, the power unit offers a particularly intense experience of this supreme performance. The extra output of the optimized six-cylinder is maintained consistently throughout all load ranges, above all under very dynamic driving conditions.

When accelerating in the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the driver feels the additional torque and muscle particularly at medium and high engine speeds. Following the policy of the BMW Group, top speed of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is limited electronically to 250 km/h.

High Precision Injection: the efficient way to supreme performance.
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is offers its outstanding power and performance consistently at all times. But this does not mean an increase in fuel consumption and emissions. On the contrary – averaging fuel consumption of 9.4 litres/100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 219 grams per kilometre in the EU test cycle, the new top model offers the same superiority also in this respect as the BMW Z4 sDrive35i with Sport Automatic.

Further technologies offered as standard by BMW EfficientDynamics such as Brake Energy Regeneration, EPS Electric Power Steering and on-demand control and management of ancillary units likewise help to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.

Characteristic engine sound accompanying the dynamic surge of power.
The modified six-cylinder also comes with special features on the engine block itself in the interest of even greater strength and stiffness. The exhaust system of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, in turn, has been developed specifically for this model, appropriate sound engineering giving the car a very characteristic and truly impressive sound pattern. This particular distinction tailored to the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is ensured by special sound flaps and modifications on the silencers. The driver and passenger therefore experience powerful acoustic feedback to their wish for performance, without the sound of the engine becoming obtrusive, let alone annoying, at any time. So the sound experience is characterised by a particularly deep rumble with the focus above all on the low frequency range.

Seven-speed Sport Automatic with a special control map and an optimised two-mass flywheel.
The seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation featured in the BMW Z4 sDrive35is likewise offers the very best in driving dynamics and efficiency. A particular highlight in this case is the two-mass flywheel laid out particularly for an even higher level of power and performance, offering even greater strength and stability, and naturally handling high engine torque of up to 500 Nm without the slightest problem.

The seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation shifts gears without the slightest interruption of torque and engine power, offering the driver the choice of an automatic gearshift or the manual selection of gears. The fast and particularly smooth change of gears ensures unusually harmonious acceleration and serves in addition to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.

The control map on the seven-speed Sport Automatic transmission with double clutch has naturally been tailored to the particular power and performance of the engine, thus further enhancing the superior sportiness of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is to an even higher level. Particularly when shifting gears manually and in conjunction with the SPORT and SPORT+ modes of Dynamic Driving Control, the transmission offers a most dynamic experience through modified gearshift points, optimised selection of gears and an even greater increase in torque before shifting.

Sport Automatic also comes with a Launch Control function for maximum performance when accelerating from a standstill.

The Sport Automatic transmission is controlled and masterminded by an electronic gear selector on the centre console and comes with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

Featured as standard on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is: M Sports Package and adaptive M Suspension.
The BMW Z4 sDrive35is also comes as standard with an M Sports Package including the M Aerodynamics Package and adaptive M Suspension featuring electronically controlled dampers for even greater agility without making any concessions in terms of comfort. The M Sports Package underlines the dynamic character of the car through its aerodynamically optimised exterior features and customised interior design. Special 18-inch light-alloy rims in five-spoke design combined with tyres of different size front and rear round off the sporting character of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, with 19-inch light-alloy rims available an option.

The adaptive M Suspension lowers the entire car by 10 millimetres, ensuring a quick reaction to sudden steering manoeuvres and superior precision when entering a bend thanks to four continuously adjustable twin-sleeve gas-pressure dampers with interacting adjustment of the inbound and rebound strokes. The central control unit processing data delivered by three accelerometers and adjusting the four dampers independently of one another enables the suspension to respond very quickly to even the slightest change in driving and road conditions. Damper harshness, in turn, is adjusted by externally fitted valves controlling the flow of damper fluid, giving the dampers either a harder or softer set-up in accordance with current conditions and driving requirements. Reaction time of the system is extremely short, with the rear dampers being adjusted immediately as soon as the front wheels run over a hole or bump in the road.

Electric Power Steering on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is features a particularly sporting and dynamic control map, with the focus on intense and clear feedback to the driver through the dosage of power assistance provided by the electric motor. Again, this enables the driver to enter bends with extreme precision at all engine speeds in the interest of enhanced performance.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is comes with a choice of six paintwork colours. In addition to Alpine White and the metallic colours Titanium Silver, Sapphire Black, Space Grey and Deep Sea Blue, the Z4 Roadster is now available for the first time in Melbourne Red metallic.

Regardless of the colour chosen, the exterior mirror caps on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is always come in Oxide Silver. Another optical feature on the top model, finally, is the “sDrive35is” model designation on the front side panels.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is will be introduced at PML showrooms from end July 2010.

1. BMW Z4 price list.

Model                                             Retail price (at press time)

BMW Z4 sDrive35i                      $282,800

BMW Z4 sDrive35is                    $293,800

· Warranty: 3 years or 100,000 km, whichever comes earlier
· Price and equipment are accurate at press time. These are subject to change without
prior notice.
· Package price includes 1st year road tax & radio licence, number plates,in-vehicle unit
(IU), registration fees, GST and Certificate of Entitlement (COE).

2. BMW Z4 sDrive35is specifications.

Twin-Turbo Straight-Six Power Unit
Capacity: 2979 cc, max output: 250 kW/ 340 hp at 5,900 rpm
Max torque: 450Nm from 1,500 – 4,500 rpm
Acceleration: 0 – 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 9.4 ltr/100 km
CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 219 g/km
full compliance with the EU5 emission standard.