The BMW Z4 2023 is a 2-door roadster that is available in the Philippines with a price that starts at Php 3,990,000 and goes up to Php 5,890,000. It is offered by BMW Philippines in two variants, namely the Z4 sDrive20i Sport and Z4 M40i. Powering the base sDrive20i Sport variant is a 2,0-liter inline-4 BMW TwinPower Turbo engine capable of generating 197 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the flagship variant comes with a 3.0-liter inline-6 BMW TwinPower Turbo engine that delivers 340 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. Both variants utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic Sport.
Dimensions-wise, the Z4 spans 4,324 mm in length, 1,864 mm in width, and 1,304 mm in height. In the local market, this BMW roadster is competing against the likes of the Toyota Supra, Nissan 370Z, and Porsche 718.
Launch
The first-generation BMW Z4 was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2002. SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., the official distributor of BMW vehicles and parts in the Philippines, launched the latest generation Z4 M40i in June 2019. An additional variant, the limited Frozen Edition of the M40i was released during an online media conference in May 2020.
The BMW Z4, from the ground up, was designed to provide driving joy
BMW Z4 Exterior
The top-down convertible carries BMW’s signature German styling with clean lines and flat surfaces that create a more aggressive stance. While the latest generations still carry the “long hood, short deck” aesthetic of its predecessors, there are numerous modifications to the design that give the Z4 a more modern and fresher look.
The iconic large dual kidney grills sport an updated styling, flanked with sleek LED headlights and a sportier front bumper. On the rear are redesigned L-shaped taillights complemented by slim air outlets on each corner, and large dual exhausts that add to the sportiness of the luxury convertible.
Completing the look are 19-inch aluminum wheels for the top ranging Z4 M40i and 18-inch alloys for the sDrive20i. What sets the Z4 M40i Frozen Edition apart is the special paint scheme called Frozen Grey II Individual matte, which is basically the only physical modification on the model.
BMW Z4 Interior
In true BMW fashion, the cabin is decked in the most premium materials. The finest quality of Vernasca leather wraps the seats and the door panels. Touches of Alcantara further add to the cabin’s sophistication and elegance. Other portions of the cabin are furnished with either high gloss black for the base Z4 sDrive20i variant or aluminum trim pieces for the top-spec Z4 M40i. Seats are equipped with power-adjustability and memory function for added comfort.
The driver-oriented cockpit features an intuitive center stack wherein a quick access to the folding electric soft-top can be found. The roof can be raised within 10 seconds.
Technology & Safety
Crowning the dashboard of the BMW Z4 M40i and Frozen Edition is 12.3-inch touchscreen equipped with the latest BMW iDrive 7. It is connected to the BMW Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster which provides convenient controls to the vehicle’s safety features. It also comes navigation ready with easy connectivity through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Audio comes out via a Harman Kardon 12-Speaker system. The top-spec variant also gets a Heads-up Display to complete the fully digital dashboard.
Among the standard safety features across all BMW Z4 variants are Electronic Brake Distribution, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Lane Departure Warning System, Blind-Spot Detection System, Cruise Control, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Push Start Button and Keyless Entry, Hill Start Assist, and Tire Pressure Monitoring.
The top range M40i and Frozen Edition variants get advanced driver-assist features including a Reversing Assistant and a Parking Assistant which is an innovative self-parking feature.
Platform & Chassis
The 2-door, 2-seater convertible shares the same platform as the 2019 Toyota Supra. The M40i features M Sport brakes, an M chassis, and adaptive suspension. Meanwhile, the base variant gets Independent MacPherson strut in front and independent multi-link setup at the rear with disc brakes all around.
Engine & Drivetrain
Powering the BMW Z4 M40i is a 3.0-liter in-line six with M Performance TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine that delivers 340 hp and 500 Nm. The sDrive20i gets a 2.0-liter Twin Power Turbo inline-four gasoline engine that produces 197 hp and 320 Nm. The Frozen Edition comes with an upgraded twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 gasoline engine that produces 387 hp and 500 Nm of torque. All variants send power to the rear wheels through an 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission.