The 2023 BMW Z4 Roadster: Pure driving pleasure
- Jay Hanson
- Alexander Schmuck
- Fresh exterior design accents and new optional equipment
- M Sport Package now standard on Z4 sDrive30i
- Three rich new metallic paints: Thundernight, Portimao Blue, and Skyscraper Grey
- Worldwide market debut scheduled for November 2022
- Base MSRP for Z4 sDrive30i $52,800; M40i $65,300, both plus $995 destination
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 27, 2022…A pure-bred roadster, more sporting and visually appealing than ever: this is the BMW Z4 for model year 2023. The latest version of the open-top two-seater incorporates a raft of detail updates, brings fresh design accents to the exterior, expands the range of standard equipment and adds new items to the options list. The 2023 Z4 sDrive30i and M40i have the ideal elements with which to build on the model’s success story as both a symbol of pure driving pleasure in BMW’s product line and the global leader in its market segment.
Continuing the successful roadster tradition at BMW.
The history of BMW roadsters as the embodiment of driving pleasure on the road and success on the racetrack extends back to the company’s formative years as a carmaker. And the brand’s open-top two-seaters have also represented important milestones in the development of BMW in the more recent past. The BMW Z1 unveiled in 1987 was developed by BMW Technik GmbH as a showcase for innovation with its front-mid-engine design, slide-down doors, steel monocoque, and plastic body panels. Some 8,000 examples were delivered to customers between 1988 and 1991, and today each is a coveted collector’s item. The BMW Z3 introduced in 1995 was the brand’s first model to be produced exclusively at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina. The BMW Z3 was introduced to the public on the silver screen – as James Bond’s service vehicle in the film GoldenEye.
The BMW Z4 has delivered open-top driving pleasure for one driver and one passenger for 20 years now. The first generation of the roadster was revealed at the 2002 Mondial de l’Automobile show in Paris. It was followed four years later by the hardtop BMW Z4 Coupe, out of which a GT3 racing car was developed that enjoyed considerable success in the Nürburgring endurance racing series.
A retractable hardtop appeared on the second-generation BMW Z4 roadster. Flowing lines, a long hood, and a passenger compartment set far back were the defining elements of the two-seater’s appearance. On the racetrack, the BMW Z4 picked up on the success of its predecessor with another GT3 variant. Customer racing teams powered to victory in the 24-hour races in Dubai and at Spa-Francorchamps.
The current BMW Z4 has been on the market since 2020, and over 55,000 units of the third-generation roadster have been sold worldwide. From day one, it has been by far the highest-selling model in a class populated exclusively by German premium brands, and it has consistently increased its market share ever since.
More dynamic than ever: M Sport package as standard, BMW kidney grille with a new design.
The M Sport Package now standard on the Z4 sDrive30i includes design elements that emphasize roadster’s width and powerful stance. They include the three-section air intakes in the front apron familiar from other M models, distinctive side-sill contouring and a rear apron with bold edging at either side. The side air intakes – which guide the oncoming air to the air curtains, reducing turbulence in the wheel arches – have been restyled. And detail updates have been made to the design of the BMW kidney grille, with a horizontal inner structure adding to the impression of width at the front.
Exclusive 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, three new exterior colors.
Newly optional are 19-inch M light-alloy wheels designed exclusively for the BMW Z4. The V-spoke design, Jet Black matte finish and diamond polished rim edge are at once striking and sophisticated. The 19-inch M light-alloy wheels are fitted with 255/35 ZR19 tires at the front and 275/35 ZR19 tire at the rear.
The range of optional exterior paint finishes for the BMW Z4 has been revised, and now includes Thundernight metallic, Portimao Blue metallic, and Skyscraper Grey metallic for the first time.
Also new to the options list are the M Shadowline Lights, which may be specified with the optional Adaptive LED Headlights. The headlights’ dark inserts imbue the front of the Z4 with a discreetly sporting aura and compliment the optional Extended Shadowline Trim.
Classical sports car cockpit with M-specific touches.
The design of the BMW Z4 interior is defined by a driver-focused cockpit layout, sport seats with integral head restraints, clear, forward-facing lines, and minimal decorative surfaces. With the addition of the M Sport Package as standard, the interior of the BMW Z4 sDrive30i now includes an M leather steering wheel, M Sport seats, M pedals, an M driver’s footrest, and a dashboard upholstered in SensaTec.
Specifications.
BMW Group in the United States.
BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles and motorcycles in the U.S. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.
Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.
The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com, www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com
Continuing the successful roadster tradition at BMW.
The history of BMW roadsters as the embodiment of driving pleasure on the road and success on the racetrack extends back to the company’s formative years as a carmaker. And the brand’s open-top two-seaters have also represented important milestones in the development of BMW in the more recent past. The BMW Z1 unveiled in 1987 was developed by BMW Technik GmbH as a showcase for innovation with its front-mid-engine design, slide-down doors, steel monocoque, and plastic body panels. Some 8,000 examples were delivered to customers between 1988 and 1991, and today each is a coveted collector’s item. The BMW Z3 introduced in 1995 was the brand’s first model to be produced exclusively at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina. The BMW Z3 was introduced to the public on the silver screen – as James Bond’s service vehicle in the film GoldenEye.
The BMW Z4 has delivered open-top driving pleasure for one driver and one passenger for 20 years now. The first generation of the roadster was revealed at the 2002 Mondial de l’Automobile show in Paris. It was followed four years later by the hardtop BMW Z4 Coupe, out of which a GT3 racing car was developed that enjoyed considerable success in the Nürburgring endurance racing series.
A retractable hardtop appeared on the second-generation BMW Z4 roadster. Flowing lines, a long hood, and a passenger compartment set far back were the defining elements of the two-seater’s appearance. On the racetrack, the BMW Z4 picked up on the success of its predecessor with another GT3 variant. Customer racing teams powered to victory in the 24-hour races in Dubai and at Spa-Francorchamps.
The current BMW Z4 has been on the market since 2020, and over 55,000 units of the third-generation roadster have been sold worldwide. From day one, it has been by far the highest-selling model in a class populated exclusively by German premium brands, and it has consistently increased its market share ever since.
More dynamic than ever: M Sport package as standard, BMW kidney grille with a new design.
The M Sport Package now standard on the Z4 sDrive30i includes design elements that emphasize roadster’s width and powerful stance. They include the three-section air intakes in the front apron familiar from other M models, distinctive side-sill contouring and a rear apron with bold edging at either side. The side air intakes – which guide the oncoming air to the air curtains, reducing turbulence in the wheel arches – have been restyled. And detail updates have been made to the design of the BMW kidney grille, with a horizontal inner structure adding to the impression of width at the front.
Exclusive 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, three new exterior colors.
Newly optional are 19-inch M light-alloy wheels designed exclusively for the BMW Z4. The V-spoke design, Jet Black matte finish and diamond polished rim edge are at once striking and sophisticated. The 19-inch M light-alloy wheels are fitted with 255/35 ZR19 tires at the front and 275/35 ZR19 tire at the rear.
The range of optional exterior paint finishes for the BMW Z4 has been revised, and now includes Thundernight metallic, Portimao Blue metallic, and Skyscraper Grey metallic for the first time.
Also new to the options list are the M Shadowline Lights, which may be specified with the optional Adaptive LED Headlights. The headlights’ dark inserts imbue the front of the Z4 with a discreetly sporting aura and compliment the optional Extended Shadowline Trim.
Classical sports car cockpit with M-specific touches.
The design of the BMW Z4 interior is defined by a driver-focused cockpit layout, sport seats with integral head restraints, clear, forward-facing lines, and minimal decorative surfaces. With the addition of the M Sport Package as standard, the interior of the BMW Z4 sDrive30i now includes an M leather steering wheel, M Sport seats, M pedals, an M driver’s footrest, and a dashboard upholstered in SensaTec.
Specifications.
| Z4 sDrive30i | Z4 M40i | |||
| Body | ||||
| No. of doors/seats | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 | ||
| Length / Width / Height (in) | 170.7 / 73.4 / 51.4 | 170.7 / 73.4 / 51.3 | ||
| Wheelbase (in) | 97.2 | 97.2 | ||
| Track, front / rear (in) | 63.7 / 63.5 | 62.8 / 62.6 | ||
| Ground clearance (in) | 4.7 | 4.5 | ||
| Turning circle (ft) | 36.1 | 36.1 | ||
| Fuel tank capacity (gal) | 13.7 | 13.7 | ||
| Curb weight (lbs) | 3,314 | 3,543 | ||
| GVWR (lbs) | 3,880 | 4,101 | ||
| Luggage capacity (cu ft) | 9.9 | 9.9 | ||
| Engine | ||||
| Config. / no. cylinders / valves | Inline / 4 / 4 | Inline / 6 / 4 | ||
| Engine technology | BMW TwinPower Turbo technology: TwinScroll turbo, High Precision Injection. VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing, Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing | |||
| Capacity (cc) | 1,998 | 2,998 | ||
| Stroke / bore (mm) | 94.6 / 82.0 | 94.6 / 82.0 | ||
| Compression ratio (:1) | 10.2 | 10.2 | ||
| Max output (hp @ rpm) | 255 @ 5,000-6,500 | 382 @ 5,800-6,500 | ||
| Max torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 295 @ 1,550-4,400 | 369 @ 1,800-4,500 | ||
| Driving Dynamics and Safety | ||||
| Suspension, front | Double-joint spring strut axle in lightweight aluminum-steel construction, hydraulically damped torque strut bearing | |||
| Suspension, rear | Five-link axle in lightweight aluminum-steel construction | |||
| Brakes, front | Four-piston fixed-caliper, vented discs | |||
| Brakes, rear | Single-piston floating-caliper, vented discs | |||
| Driving stability systems | Standard: DSC incl. ABS and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), Dry Braking function, fading compensation, drive-off assistant, Adaptive suspension, M Sport differential | |||
| Safety equipment | Airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for driver and passenger, head airbags, three-point inertia reel seatbelts, belt tensioner and belt force limiter, crash sensors, tire pressure indicator | |||
| Steering | Servotronic Electric Power Steering (EPS) | |||
| Steering ratio overall (:1) | 15.1 | |||
| Std. Tires front / rear | 255/40ZR18 95Y / 275/40ZR18 99Y | |||
| Std. Rims, front / rear (in) | 9J x 18 / 10J x 18 | |||
| Transmission | ||||
| Type | 8-speed Steptronic | |||
| Gear ratios | I | :1 | 5.25 | |
| II | :1 | 3.36 | ||
| III | :1 | 2.17 | ||
| IV | :1 | 1.72 | ||
| V | :1 | 1.32 | ||
| VI | :1 | 1.00 | ||
| VII | :1 | 0.82 | ||
| VIII | :1 | 0.64 | ||
| R | :1 | 3.71 | ||
| Final Drive | :1 | 3.15 | ||
| Performance | ||||
| Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec) | 5.2 | 3.9 | ||
| Top Speed (MPH) | 155 | 155 | ||
BMW Group in the United States.
BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles and motorcycles in the U.S. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.
Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.
The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 147 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com, www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com