As the new BMW based Toyota Supra was introduced at the 40th Bangkok International Motor Show, BMW itself also reveals the third generation and the latest iteration of the BMW Z4 2019 coupe for the ASEAN.
Sharing a platform with the new Toyota Supra, the Z4 is a very recognizable BMW roadster/coupe as it has starred as a Bond car in the 90s and has a considerable following the world over and thus many are excited to know that the new Z4 has finally reached the region.
Upon taking a look at the new BMW Z4, one may notice that the Coupe is still very much a BMW. From the front, one can glean the typical BMW twin grilles which are quite sizable.
Like its predecessors and other roadsters out there, the Z4’s hood is quite long; nearly a third of its entire length. Opposite of that is its very short tail which surprisingly doesn’t actually compromise on boot space even with the space in the middle of the car where the retractable soft top roof is stored.
A little bit of the recognizable BMW design cues and a little bit of something new
What comes different from older versions though, looks wise are numerous. For starters, the traditional twin grille that we’ve talked about earlier now comes with a mesh design instead of the vertically aligned slits that come familiar with the older versions.
Next, the BMW Z4 2019 now comes with a number of very angular air vents which can be seen on either side of the front bumper which previously had gentler angles. Vents can now also be found after each wheel presumably for brake cooling purposes.
And finally the headlights and tail-lights on the Z4 are both very different; the headlights are now upswept instead of going towards the side of the car, and the rear lights are slimmer.
BMW Z4 2019 review
>>> Also check out: BMW Z4 2019 Brief review: All you should know
Another big change for this new Z4 is that a hardtop will no longer be available. What BMW did instead was to use the classic soft top which is similar to that found in the earlier E84 Z4 which is the first generation.
As mentioned earlier, the soft top folds down like origami to a compartment behind the driver at the center of the car which does not affect the size of the boot which is about 281 liters is larger than other similar vehicles out there. It is even larger than the previous Z4’s.
Inside the BMW Z4 2019, one will immediately notice that the instrument panel is slightly angled towards the driver and the digital gauge cluster which we assume to be somewhat customizable.
Other features include wireless charging and Apple Carplay. Inside the cabin, storage for your possessions is somewhat lacking as only one storage bin can be found behind the seats and two cup holders in-between the driver and passenger seats.
Those digital displays so futuristic and yet it is here now!
According to the latest car news, the Z4, for the Thailand market at least, comes available in two variants; the Z4 M40i and the Z4 sDrive30i.
The first one, the M40i is the more powerful choice as it is powered by a three-liter inline-six which is also turbocharged and is rated at 335 horsepower and 500 nm of torque. The other variant is a two liter and also has forced induction. As for the Z4’s transmission, an 8-speed automatic is the only one available.
BMW Z4 2019 turbocharged engine
When it comes to price, the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i is about Php 8,300,000 and the sDrive30i at about Php 6,000,000. However, those prices are the Z4s prices in Thailand so they might be subject to change when it comes to other markets.
Now as with numerous vehicles released in Thailand, many eventually are also released here in the Philippines. Some however don’t. We here at Philkotse.com however really hope to see the BMW Z4 2019 on Philippine shores in the near future.
Know more about BMW Z4 2024
The BMW Z4 2024 is a 2-door roadster that is available in the Philippines with a price of Php 5,890,000. It is offered by BMW Philippines in one variant, the Z4 M40i. The 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.
>>> New and used BMW Z4 2024 for sale in the Philippines
BMW Z4 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.
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. 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 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 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 is a 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 M40i gets 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 an Independent MacPherson strut in front and an 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 an M Performance TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine that delivers 340 hp and 500 Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through an 8-Speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission.
Available colors for the BMW Z4 2024 are Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Black Sapphire Metallic, Glacier Silver, Glacier Silver Metallic, Mineral White, Misano Blue Metallic, Mediterranean Blue, San Francisco Red, San Francisco Red Metallic, and Frozen Grey II Metallic.
The BMW Z4 Philippines is a good 2-door roadster choice thanks to its impressive powertrain. However, it doesn't get a manual transmission, unlike its rivals such as the Porsche 718 2024 and Nissan 370Z. Also, this model makes less horsepower than the Toyota Supra despite using a lot of similar components.
BMW Z4 2024 Price List
| Variant | Price |
|---|---|
| BMW Z4 M40i | ₱5,890,000 |
BMW Z4 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Appealing roadster design
- Good engine performance
- No manual unlike many rivals
Enter title
- Limited cabin and cargo space
- Competitors' handling is arguably better
- Stiff ride
₱ 0 - ₱ 5,890,000
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