The BMW Z4 (E89) is the second generation of the BMW Z4 range of two-door roadsters, and was produced from 2009 to 2016. The E89 replaced the E85/E86 Z4 and is the fourth model in the BMW Z Series.
The E89 Z4 was the first Z Series model to use a retractable hardtop roof, which meant that there were no longer separate roadster and coupé versions of the car.[2] There was no Z4 M model for the E89 generation.[3]
Development and launch
The E89 was the first BMW automobile to be completely designed by two female designers — Juliane Blasi (exterior) and Nadya Arnaout (interior) — in 2006.[5][6][7][8][9]
The Z4 (E89) was officially announced on 13 December 2008[10][11][12] and was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, alongside the MINI Convertible.[13][14] The Z4 (E89) was then launched in markets in May 2009.
A total of €130 million was spent from 2007 to 2009 in expansion of the Regensburg plant for production of the Z4 (E89).[15] Although its predecessor was produced in the Spartanburg plant in the United States, the E89 was produced in the BMW's Regensburg plant alongside the E93 3 Series convertible making it the third Z series car to be manufactured in Germany since the Z1 and Z8.[16][17]
Design
The E89 Z4 was offered with the base level sDrive or optional M Sport trim. The M Sport trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, sports seats, redesigned front and rear bumpers, sports steering wheel and sports suspension.[18][19][20] An optional Design Pure Impulse package was also offered, having colour matching Alcantara or Nappa leather, and BMW Individual anthracite roof lining.[21]
The 2013 facelift also introduced the Design Pure Traction and Pure Fusion Design package, which had the choice of the exclusive Valencia Orange and Sparkling Brown metallic paintwork respectively (alongside regular colours), and colour matching interior design elements.[22][23] The Design Pure Traction package also featured a black hardtop roof.
Equipment
The E89 Z4 came standard with BMW EfficientDynamics technologies,[26] such as regenerative braking[27] and electric power steering.[28] Models also feature an electric parking brake,[29] engine start-stop system, directional headlights,[30] and a driving mode selector with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes which adjust throttle and gearbox behaviour, power steering weighting, and the adjustable dampers (with the optional 'Electronic Damper Control').[31][32]
Transmissions
The available transmissions are:[34][35][36][37][38]
- 6-speed manual Getrag GS6-17BG (Z4 18i / 20i / 23i / 28i / 30i)
- 6-speed manual ZF GS6-53BZ (Z4 35i)
- 6-speed automatic ZF 6HP 19 (Z4 23i / 30i)
- 8-speed automatic
Models
Since the summer of 2013, all Z4 models met Euro 6 (EU6) exhaust emission standards.[39]
No diesel or all-wheel drive (xDrive) models were offered for the E89 Z4.
Z4 sDrive35is
The Z4 sDrive35is is not available with a 6 speed manual. It was only available with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the M Sport trim,[40] and uses an upgraded version of the N54 engine shared with the 1 Series M Coupé. The engine has a computer-controlled overboost function for 3rd to 7th gears. The boost function activates after each gear change with full throttle, and lasts for 7 seconds between 1,500 and 4,500rpm.[41] Peak torque during overboost is 500 Nm, compared to 450 Nm without.[42]
Concept cars
Zagato Coupé (2012)
The Zagato Coupé was a concept car based on the Z4 (E89) developed in collaboration with Italian design house Zagato. It was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on 25 May 2012. As the then BMW chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk and Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada were friends, the decision was quickly made when Andrea Zagato proposed a collaboration with BMW.[43] The body of the Zagato Coupé was built entirely by hand and includes a double-bubble roof[44] and Rosso Vivace paint which changes colour depending on the lighting, ranging from a near black to a bright red. The Zagato Coupé also incorporates the letter "z" in its design, with the kidney grille composed of small matte "z" letters,[45] with "z" letters embroidered into the seats.[46]
Model year changes
2011
- The six-cylinder sDrive23i and sDrive30i models were replaced by turbocharged four-cylinder sDrive20i and sDrive28i models. For the US market, only the sDrive28i was launched.
2012
- The roof mechanism could now be operated at speeds up to 40 km/h. Previously only up to 10 km/h.
2013 facelift
The Z4 facelift (also known as LCI) models were introduced in March 2013. Major changes were:
Safety
The E89 Z4 comes with electronic stability control, cornering brake control, emergency brake assist, rollover hoops, and airbags for the driver and passenger.
The 2015 Z4 18i received three stars overall in its Euro NCAP test.[54]
Production volumes
Yearly production volumes for the Z4 (E89) are as follows:
Awards
Motorsport
BMW Z4 GT3 (2010–2015)
The Z4 GT3 was an FIA GT3-specification model available to private teams.[59] It is powered by the P65B44 V8 engine[60] based on the production engine used in the E92 M3 and generates a power output of 384 kW.[61] The weight of the Z4 GT3 is approximately 1190 kg.
In its 2010 debut season, the Z4 GT3 won the Dubai 24 Hour GT3 endurance event and finished second at the 2011 24 Hours of Spa event by the Need For Speed Team Schubert.[62] The Z4 GT3 achieved several victories in the FIA GT3 Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series
References
- Supplying BMW. 2013 edition sae.org, retrieved 19 November 2023^
- 2009 BMW Z4 Convertible - Prices and review www.autotrader.com, retrieved 3 August 2017^
- What's the best BMW Z car? www.bmwblog.com, 6 May 2016, retrieved 3 August 2017