A- for the Z
BMW’s new Z4 makes Ted Macauley forgive a painful past
I broke a promise a few weeks ago. Crucially, it was one I had made to myself. After my rst outing in a BMW Z-car – 500 miles from London to Manchester and back, to meet up with my long-time friend Sir Bobby Charlton – I vowed never to climb into the German twoseater again. It was as if I’d been sitting on stones for the entire journey, so hard and uncomfortable was the ride.
Now, 10 years or so on from that trip, I’ve backtracked on that decision and I’m glad I did. After making the same journey for another lunch with the Manchester United legend I can report that the new Z-car has been updated, upgraded and revitalised.
What a difference a decade makes: every mile was a distinct pleasure on improved suspension that cushioned rather than kicked.
There is still a macho muscularity about the Z4 (it was once said scathingly of its predecessor, the Z3, that it looked like it had been fashioned with a machete), but it’s been honed into a singular and impressive silhouette by BMW’s clever designers.
As well as distinctive looks, the revamped model offers genuine sports car pull-away performance, and another welcome move is the replacement of the cloth top with a superbly engineered aluminium folding roof. The price and the car’s thirst for petrol may both be a bit over the top, but remember that with the Z4 you’re paying to sit behind a power unit twice crowned Engine of the Year.
I’m not saying the Z4 is as wholly satisfying as my own Porsche Cayman, but it runs it pretty close. And from me, that’s some admission. www.bmw.com
BMW Z4 Price from US$47,000
Top speed 249kph
Acceleration 0-100kph in 5.8 secs
Engine 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six
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