I must be a heathen as I fail to see how BMW’s ‘Expression of Joy’ ad campaign for the new Z4 is going to make true BMW fans – let alone eGoli’s Gucci-clad ladies who are the target of the ad – grab their cheque books and head down to the nearest dealer.
Watching a metallic blue Z4 execute donuts over a canvas the size of a soccer field makes a mockery of the art cars of old. Andy Warhol’s iconic M1 or even Calder and Lichtenstein’s exquisite Batmobiles fused artistic flair with the car’s bodywork, not the floor below it.
For me, the newest Z4 is a work of art without any help from an artist’s brush. Only a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione or Aston Martin DBS have ever stirred such emotion. And that’s an illustrious group.
Stroll around the Z4 and examine it from every angle and you realise it’s probably the most inspired canvas since the iconic 507 cabriolet. Every line, curve and fold is a thing of considered beauty.
Whether you marvel at the Z4’s design or take exception to the way BMW has decided to market it, the real test is whether the performance and rear-driven dynamism is enough for the hardcore BMW faithful – those enthusiasts who believe the brand still stands for Sheer Driving Pleasure and not aimless Dulux donuts and doodles.
The Roadster recipe
Aside from its obvious beauty, the latest iteration captures the essence of its predecessors, the 328, 507, Z8 and Z1. Designer Juliane Blasi has stayed true to BMW’s successful roadster recipe: a T-bar interior design, flowing lines with sleek proportions, and a long bonnet. The short overhangs, long wheelbase and large wheels, together with a low, rear-set seating position accentuate the traditional roadster appeal.
The low-slung front uses the same upright BMW kidney grille as the Concept CS, with a wide air intake and dual round xenon headlights featured as standard. The flanks are dominated by the flowing shoulder line which connects the front and rear wheel arches, emphasising the sinewy, athletic proportions, while the black A-pillars, side gill intakes and slender rear lights complete the honed look.
The new two-piece retractable hardtop constructed in lightweight aluminium opens and closes within 20 secs. As with every rearward folding roof design, packaging is the problem, and the Bavarian engineers did well to carve out a rear luggage space ranging from 180-310 litres – better than the previous folding soft-top despite a cabin set further back. Cabin packaging is also better, with 14% more head and shoulder-room and improved visibility.
Great strides inside
With the roof closed, NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) levels are good and with the top down wind turbulence is minimal, allowing you to enjoy the full glory of the 225kW straight six. The interior design is the handiwork of Nadya Arnaout, who has made a huge step forward with the ergonomics.
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Test Times
It's all good giving us 0-100kmh times .......... where was it done?? Coast, Highveld ???
Cape based
topCar is a Cape based outfit so testing is done at sea level. We do test at reef altitudes occassionally, but we'll make special mention if it is done at reef altitudes. On a side note, A turbocharged car like this will make very little difference when tested at sea level or altitude, the power loss is minimal and some turbocharged cars have been known to actually be faster over a quarter mile run at the reef.
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