The 2018 Paris Motor Show provided the setting for the public premiere of the 2019 BMW Z4. The new model is the production version of the Concept Z4 that made its debut at the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach in August 2017. The market launch of the Z4 will take place in March 2019 internationally.
The 2019 BMW Z4 is one of the two models that are a part of a joint project between the Munich-based car marque and Toyota Motor. That said, the two models - Z4 and all-new Supra - will be significantly different in many aspects. While the Z4 is available only in a roadster format, the Toyota model will be available as a coupe.
In terms of aesthetics, the new model mirrors the Concept Z4 to a great extent. The highlight of the design is a short front overhang and a compact wheelbase. The 2019 BMW Z4 measures 4,324 mm in length, 1,864 mm in width, and 1,304 mm in height. Compared to its predecessor, the latest generation is 85 mm longer, 74 mm wider, and 13 mm taller.
While the outgoing generation featured an aluminium hard-top, the new Z4 has a fabric roof that can be opened or closed in roughly 10 seconds. This disparity is the result of increased focus on keeping a check on the cost and the weight. The new model is said to be around 50 kg lighter than the earlier version.
The highlight of the interior is an all-new 10.2-inch fully digital instrument panel. Moreover, the dashboard holds an infotainment system that supports iDrive 7.0 infotainment system. For the first time, the system can be controlled through voice and touch inputs other than the usual rotary controller on the centre tunnel. The new model has a boot capacity of 281-litres, which remains unchanged regardless of the position of the roof. In the earlier generation, the 310-litre boot space reduced to just 180-litre on folding the roof.
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The 2019 BMW Z4 range will be available in three engine variants - sDrive20i, sDrive30i and flagship M40i. The entry- and mid-level options employ a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that outputs 196 bhp and 256 bhp respectively. The range-topping M40i version gets its juice from a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine that produces 340 bhp. Furthermore, it features electronically controlled dampers, M Sport brakes, and an M Sport differential. All variants are available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The base model also offers a six-speed manual transmission.
