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BMW Z4 (G29)

BMW Z4 (G29)
Z4 M40i (UK, pre-facelift)
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Production2018–present
Model years2019–present
AssemblyAustria: Graz (Magna Steyr)[1]
DesignerCalvin Luk[2]
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door roadster
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformToyota-BMW joint sports car architecture
RelatedToyota Supra (J29/DB)
Boldmen CR4[3]
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,470 mm (97.2 in)
Length4,324 mm (170.2 in)
Width1,864 mm (73.4 in)
Height1,304 mm (51.3 in)
Curb weight1,405–1,535 kg (3,097–3,384 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorBMW Z4 (E89)

The BMW Z4 (G29) is a two-door roadster produced by German automobile manufacturer BMW. It was introduced in 2018 as a successor to the E89 Z4. As a fifth model in the lineage, the Z4 (G29) marks the return of the soft-top roof to the Z Series sports cars.[5]

Development and launch

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Z4 concept

The G29 Z4 was introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 23, 2018.[6]

Designed by Australian born Calvin Luk, the car is based on the Z4 Concept unveiled a year earlier, and was developed alongside the fifth-generation Toyota Supra due to BMW's partnership with Toyota. The design was inspired by the Z8.[4][7] The G29 Z4 is based on the Toyota-BMW joint sports car architecture which also underpins the fifth-generation Supra and has a 50:50 weight distribution with weight savings of up to 50 kg (110 lb) as compared to its predecessor.[8] The soft-top convertible roof returned on the Z4 (G29) instead of a retractable hardtop of its predecessor. The roof can be raised or lowered in 10 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph).[9] The boot is 50% larger than that of its predecessor and has a capacity of 281 litres (9.9 cu ft).[10] It uses a multi-link rear suspension.[11]

The official launch of the G29 Z4 took place at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October. The car was available for sale in March 2019.[12]

On March 11, 2022, Magna Steyr halted production of the BMW Z4 (along with the 5-Series) for two weeks due to the lack of components since the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine event.[13]

The LCI model was introduced in September 2022. The M Sport appearance package became standard across the range, although with several changes.[14]

Equipment

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Interior

The sDrive models are available in a Sport line or the M Sport package.[15] Available driver assistance systems include active cruise control, lane change warning system, a parking assistant, and collision warning with braking intervention.[16]

The Z4 is offered with a 10.25-inch display with the iDrive 7.0.[17] The car is available with BMW ConnectedDrive services which allow for over-the-air updates for the navigation maps and operating system.[18] The digital key feature allows the car to be unlocked and started with a smartphone,[19] and access can be shared with other people. It is also available with a customisable, digital instrument cluster (called BMW Live Cockpit Professional).[20]

Models

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The launch model was the M40i First Edition which has Frozen Orange metallic paintwork and Vernasca leather, 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, a Harman Kardon surround sound system and a head-up display.[21]

The Z4 range consists of the sDrive 20i which is only available in selected markets, the sDrive 30i and the range topping M40i models. The sDrive models are powered by the 2.0-litre B48 straight-4 engine while the M40i is powered by the B58 straight-6 engine. All engines come with forced induction and are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.[22][23] A 6-speed manual transmission was made available for only the sDrive 20i from July 2019.[4]

In 2024 BMW announced that the 2025 BMW Z4 M40i will offer the Handschalter (German for hand shift) package.[24] This includes a 6 speed manual transmission, Extended Shadowline trim, exclusive black badging on the rear, Cognac leather upholstery and is also available in 2 exclusive colors San Remo Green or Frozen Deep Green along with the other colors available on the M40i.[25]

Model Years Engine Power Torque 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
sDrive20i 2019– B48B20
2.0 L turbocharged I4 		145 kW (197 PS; 194 hp)
at 4,500–6,500 rpm 		320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft)
at 1,450–4,200 rpm 		6.6 seconds
sDrive30i 190 kW (258 PS; 255 hp)
at 5,500–6,500 rpm 		400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)
at 1,550–4,400 rpm 		5.4 seconds
M40i B58B30
3.0 L turbocharged I6 		250 kW (340 PS; 335 hp)
at 5,500–6,500 rpm 		500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft)
at 1,600–4,500 rpm 		4.2 seconds
2020– 285 kW (387 PS; 382 hp)
at 5,500–6,500 rpm

Safety

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The 2019 Z4 received five stars overall in its Euro NCAP test.[26]

Euro NCAP test results
BMW Z4 sDrive 30i (2019)
Test Points %
Overall:
Adult occupant: 37.2 97%
Child occupant: 43 87%
Pedestrian: 44.1 91%
Safety assist: 10 76%

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ Panait, Mircea (7 June 2018). "2019 BMW Z4 Confirmed to Go Into Production Towards the End of 2018". autoevolution. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  2. ^ Bruce, Chris (6 June 2019). "BMW Z4 Designer Rules Out Hardtop Version". Motor1. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Boldmen CR4 is a BMW Z4-based Sports Car from Friedhelm Wiesmann". bmwblog.com. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  4. ^ a b c auto-motor-und-sport.de 23 August 2018: Sportkeil mit Stoffmütze und bis zu 340 PS, (German) retrieved 25 February 2019.
  5. ^ "FIRST DRIVE: New BMW G29 Z4 M40i in pre-production clothes". BMW BLOG. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  6. ^ Constantine, Chris. "BMW Teases New Model Ahead of Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance". The Drive. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Toyota Supra And BMW Z4 Could Be Built Together By Magna Steyr". Motor1.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  8. ^ "A BMW/Toyota collaboration clearly benefits both brands". 6 March 2020.
  9. ^ "BMW Z4 (2019) review, release date and spec | Parkers". www.parkers.co.uk. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  10. ^ Patrascu, Daniel (18 September 2018). "2020 BMW Z4 Full Specs, New Photos Released Ahead of Paris Debut". autoevolution. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  11. ^ "BMW Z4 reborn as 335bhp Porsche 718 Boxster rival | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  12. ^ "G29 BMW Z4 revealed – first details of M40i variant". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  13. ^ Padeanu, Adrian (11 March 2022). "Magna Steyr To Pause BMW Z4 And 5 Series Production For Two Weeks". www.bmwblog.com.
  14. ^ Moser, Florian (28 September 2022). "Pure driving pleasure, new updates: the BMW Z4 for model year 2023" (Press release). BMW Group.
  15. ^ "The next-generation BMW Z4 - bold reinterpretation of what a roadster should be". Wheels. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  16. ^ "BMW's redesigned Z4 gets two turbocharged engines, long list of tech features". Digital Trends. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  17. ^ "2019 BMW Z4 Arrives In sDrive30i Trim With 255 HP". CarBuzz. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  18. ^ "2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i Detailed, Launches in March - Motor Trend". Motor Trend. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  19. ^ "2019 G29 BMW Z4 - full details released, three variants". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  20. ^ "The 2019 BMW Z4 Is a Real Roadster Again". Car and Driver. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  21. ^ "New BMW Z4 hits the beach". newatlas.com. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  22. ^ Padeanu, Adrian (19 September 2018). "BMW Z4 sDrive20i, sDrive30i Detailed; M40i More Powerful In U.S." Motor1. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  23. ^ "BMW Z4 roadster". www.carbuyer.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  24. ^ Berg, Nik (31 January 2024). "Revealed: 2025 BMW Z4 "Handschalter" Enshrines a Third Pedal". Hagerty Media. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  25. ^ "2025 BMW Z4 M40i with Handschalter Package". bmwusa.com. BMW. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  26. ^ "Official BMW Z4 2019 safety rating". www.euroncap.com. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  27. ^ Taylor, Rich (4 February 2019). "GQ Car Awards 2019: all the winners revealed". British GQ. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
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