Awaken your roadster dream and test drive the BMW Z4

Written/Photographed by David

If you think of a convertible sports car, who will be your first reaction? It is estimated that a large number of people will say BMW Z4, and so do I. The new BMW Z4 in front of you is a third-generation model, but I believe many people will include its predecessor BMW Z3 among them. After all, they are of the same origin, so it has developed into the fourth generation. In the fourth generation During the 25-year development process of the model, the small sports car produced by BMW has written a strong mark in the history of automobiles.

The new BMW Z4 is actually very topical. Nowadays, SUVs and various crossover models are very popular. The sales of convertible sports cars are declining year by year. The SLC of old rival Mercedes-Benz is also We have said goodbye completely, so it is not easy to continue the BMW Z4 series. But coincidentally, there is a famous car manufacturer in the far east. They are eager to resurrect a legendary car in the history of the brand. It happens to be quite similar in size and positioning to the BMW Z4. In addition, the two brands have already competed in many fields. We have cooperated before, so we hit it off and decided to jointly develop it. I believe many people already know that it is Toyota and its famous "big devil" Supra. ?

Let’s put the Supra aside for the moment and return to the BMW Z4. In this generation of models, the BMW Z4 only has a soft-top convertible option, and does not continue the hard-top convertible structure of the previous generation model. BMW’s explanation for this is to return to its original aspirations, because the predecessor BMW Z3 and the first-generation BMW The Z4 is all soft-top convertible. The composite fiber roof on the BMW Z4 is very lightweight, can be fully opened in just 10 seconds, and can be operated at speeds up to 50 kilometers per hour. ?

After the top is opened, the sideways proportions of the BMW Z4 are quite perfect. The iconic long front, low windshield, and short rear overhang design give it a very sporty feel. The vents behind the front fenders The large area is not only for aesthetics, but also to further optimize the vehicle's aerodynamics. The 19-inch double five-spoke wheels are also in the M style that we are familiar with. ?

In BMW's latest design language, it is an inevitable trend for the kidney grille area to become larger and larger, but some rules can also be found. For example, luxury models are all vertically oriented. Stretching, and models that pursue sports are stretched laterally, so on the BMW Z4, it is extending to both sides. To say how wide it is, to exaggerate, the headlights are almost squeezed into the side of the car, but in fact It’s not too obtrusive, and the blackened frame and “Y”-shaped element filling match the sporty orientation of BMW Z4. The headlights may be the most controversial part. The inside of the light group has changed from BMW's traditional horizontal arrangement. The "angel eyes" have been changed into a vertical combination with small top and large bottom. It looks good, but the brand recognition is suddenly reduced. Can't tell whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. ?

The rear of the BMW Z4 is my favorite place. It is completely different from the short and narrow design in the past. It is now wide and full. The horizontal lines are responsible for stretching the visual width, and the vertical elements are responsible for the three-dimensionality. The rear surround of the M sports package is equipped with a black diffuser and double-exhaust exhaust on both sides to give it a very sporty feel. The word "Z4" also uses a sharper font. Overall, it is really difficult to see any similarities with the previous generation model. The changes are quite complete. Perhaps the only thing that is still somewhat related to the past is that the "duck tail" of the fixed spoiler design has been continued. ?

To be honest, I don’t want to comment too much on the interior of the BMW Z4, because we have already seen the overly family-like design on the new 3 Series, and it can even be said that we are already a little tired of it. Well, although this interior is very good in terms of visual experience and functionality, for a model with such a unique personality like the BMW Z4, it should still have some unique elements of its own. At least this interior is a bit sorry. Breakthroughs and innovations in appearance design. ?

As for the performance and handling of the BMW Z4, I didn’t have the slightest worry before the test drive. BMW products are guaranteed, not to mention that the M department participated in the adjustment. The BMW Z4 M40i we tested this time is equipped with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine code-named B58, with a maximum output of 340 horsepower and a peak torque of 500 Nm. It is matched with an 8 Speedy manual automatic transmission, this power combination can be regarded as one of the benchmarks in the industry in terms of performance and matching. ?

During daily driving, the BMW? Z4? M40i behaves more like a GT model. At this time, the throttle response, transmission shift logic, and suspension performance are more comfortable, which is very suitable for convertible Open it, go for a drive, take a stroll, and take a leisurely walk on the street. If it weren't for the gentle breeze blowing overhead and the focused gazes of passersby, sometimes I would have thought I was driving a brand new 3 Series. Don't get me wrong. This is not a derogatory term. No one wants to be distracted by the dynamic performance of the vehicle when hanging around with the top down. Comfort is all.

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If you want to show off the full capabilities of the BMW Z4 M40i, then enter the Sport Plus mode for faster response, quicker downshifts, thicker steering wheel, and more toughness. The suspension encourages you to run forward, not to mention the nice sound adjustment. When the speed is increased, it has a very standard BMW sound, and when you release the accelerator, there will be a "pop-pop" sound. The sound of backfire. ?

Almost all new cars around the world will unsurprisingly lengthen their wheelbases when they are updated, but BMW has gone the other way. The 2470 mm wheelbase of the BMW Z4 has actually been shortened compared to the previous generation. 26 mm, its purpose is very clear, which is to give the vehicle better control performance, and the most direct manifestation is the lap speed. According to foreign media sources, the BMW? Z4? M40i’s lap speed on the Nürburgring Nordschleife The results are already approaching or even surpassing the BMW M2. Of course, when it comes to a more pure and ultimate driving experience, there is still a certain gap between the BMW Z4 M40i and the BMW M2. After all, one is M Performance and the other is It is pure M?Power. ?

Although the BMW? Z4? M40i is good, there is still a pity. Because this is a two-seater convertible sports car, there is no independent small glass behind the seat. There is no space to place a longitudinal partition, so after the vehicle speed exceeds 80 km/h, you will start to feel the "air leakage" on both sides gradually increase. The faster you drive, the more uncomfortable the blowing will be, so it is difficult to balance the fun of convertible and the thrill of speeding. . ?

After a week of test driving, I have become a fan of the BMW Z4 M40i. It can be driven on the streets with an open top and can be used for racing. The official guide price of 633,800 yuan is probably not enough for this " It is not cheap for a "big toy", but if you look at its competitors, you will find that BMW is still very kind. And after trying the BMW Z4 M40i, it also aroused my strong curiosity about the Toyota Supra. I really want to see what kind of performance the Supra will bring to people after being independently adjusted by Toyota, although it comes from the same platform. surprise.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.