2006 BMW Z4 Coupé Concept Information and History

A world debut full of emotion – precisely this is what BMW is presenting at the Frankfurt Motor Show: The BMW Z4 Coupé Concept Car, more than any other exhibit, clearly represents and embodies the motto of the world's largest car show: the Thrill of Motoring. Presenting this Concept Car, BMW is establishing new trends in terms of design, concepts, and technology. And with its performance truly outstanding in every respect, the Z4 Coupé Concept Car clearly bears out all the classic values of the BMW brand. Considering the consistently growing market for high-profile premium sports cars, finally, the decision to build such an emotional two-seater Sports Coupé as a regular production model is almost obvious.

All the Performance of a Thoroughbred Sports Car.

The long and sleek engine compartment lid, the passenger compartment moved far to the rear, and the short overhangs front and rear impressively visualise all those classical attributes so typical of BMW: Within the engine bay lurks a longitudinally mounted straight-six conveying its power to the rear axle in the interest of supreme driving dynamics. In conjunction with the car's long wheelbase and the centre of gravity visibly moved far to the rear, the Coupé right from the start creates the impression of a top-flight athlete urging forward with all his energy.
The Concept Car is powered by BMW's new 3.0-litre straight-six developing maximum output of 195 kW/265 hp and peak torque of 315 Nm/232 lb-ft. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is expected to take only about 5.7 seconds, with the car's top speed ending at the 250 km/h (155 mph) mark applicable to BMW's production models.

Equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated suspension control systems, Electrical Power Steering (EPS), as well as a high-performance brake system, the Z4 Coupé Concept Car is able to use all its power safely and reliably. The extremely stiff bodyshell, in turn, ensures driving dynamics of the highest standard, together with a level of above-average crash safety quite unusual in a sports car.

Contrasts, not Comprises: Dynamic also in Design.
With its uncompromising technical features focusing on top-level performance, the Z4 Coupé clearly offers driving dynamics of the highest standard. And the car's designers have been just as uncompromising in giving the car an unparalleled look of dynamic performance right from the start. Contrasts in the car's design ensure an acute sense of supreme tension – and tension also creates and bears out dynamism in design. The fascinating aesthetic look of the Z4 Coupé Concept Car is based on the highly expressive design language of the BMW Z4 Roadster. Indeed, the interplay of concave and convex surfaces merging in powerful and striking lines gives the body of the car not only unique character, but also a touch of clearly perceptible dynamism even at a standstill. The flowing roofline, in turn, characterises the BMW Z4 Coupé as a classic coupé with its centre
of gravity moved at least visibly to the rear axle.

The recess in the middle of the roof, in turn, reinforces the sporting look and character of this classic coupé, the combination of these elements giving the car a touch of forward-oriented dynamism from every angle: The BMW Z4 Coupé is low, fast and, at the same time, elegant in its looks. The glazed part of the passenger cell referred to by experts as the 'greenhouse' visibly tapers out into the rear end, accentuating the rear wheel arches in a powerful and muscular look. The spoiler designed into the rear lid, in turn, ensures optimum aerodynamics and streamlining, with the third brake light integrated beneath the spoiler in the rear lid. A further effect of the spoiler and brake light is the additional emphasis they give to
the sheer width of the car's rear end.

The seam around the rear lid extends discreetly along the rear side windows, finally merging into the sill line of the car. As a result, the Z4 Coupé Concept Car retains the sporting look of its rear side windows with that characteristic Hofmeister 'kick' also with the rear lid open. And beneath the rear lid, finally, the Z4 offers luggage capacity quite remarkable for a sports car of any calibre.

Exterior paintwork in Glacier Silver developed exclusively for the Concept Car gives this unique Coupé the silky-matt glossiness of a sculpture made of massive aluminium. Nineteen-inch aluminium wheels clearly revealing their three dimensions and finished intentionally in a dark colour contrasting with the paint of the car underline the highly focused and powerful expression conveyed by the Z4 Coupé. Made exclusively for this Concept Car, the wheels are a product of the most elaborate casting technology.

Dynamism for Your Senses: the Interior.
Giving great attention – and, indeed, love – to detail, BMW's colour and trim designers have created a unique interior tailored in every respect to the BMW Z4 Coupé Concept. The most modern materials in first-class quality are combined with one another exclusively for this Concept Car, offering features and highlights never seen before. Hence, the sophisticated interior points far into the future of interior design with all its potentials.

Like the exterior, the interior of the Z4 Coupé Concept uses contrasts instead of compromises to generate the sensation of dynamism and excitement. The use and combination of materials and colours harmonises the technical and sporting features of the exterior with soft and harmonious elements within the interior, thus creating a world of peacefulness and tranquillity. Matt and glossy surfaces form intentional contrasts intermingling with the numerous solid aluminium units inside the car, extending the technical features and fortes of the Z4 Coupé visibly far into the interior. And at the same time soft, top-quality leather in warm brown colours exudes the feeling of being cocooned within this Ultimate Driving Machine. 'Cold' high technology and 'warm' cosiness – in this case this is not a contradiction in terms, but rather a harmonious blend of supreme qualities. Light and Dark Surfaces Interacting with One Another. Black and coloured surfaces clearly distinguish the various function levels from one another, the driver perceiving the black surfaces along the car's upper sill line as a clear delineation from the exterior at the same time creating a feeling of pleasant safety.

The contrasts and brightness of the interior convey a clear signal of open-mindedness and grandeur. An expression of space further enhanced by the arrangement of colours on the dashboard and the interior trim. High-Gloss and Woven Leather as Clear Signs of Tradition and Progress. Silky high-gloss leather and classic, timeless woven leather form an intentional contrast to the almost silky Nubuk leather inside the car. The aluminium pedals and the footwells come complete with inserts made of robust burr leather. And we find the same combinations of top-quality materials within the luggage compartment and in the travel baggage integrated therein.

Aluminium – an Experience in Looks and Touch.
Over and above sumptuous leather, the interior is characterised throughout by polished and brushed aluminium components in the trim around the door closing handle, with the rotary knob for the air conditioning, the pedals and the loading sill on the luggage compartment all milled out of one single block of aluminium. So that these massive aluminium components are a genuine experience not only in their looks, but also in their touch. A Concept Car with a Good Potential for Entering the Market.

Designed consistently for the sporting and ambitious driver and conceived for active motoring, the BMW Z4 Coupé Concept Study gives its occupants a direct feeling for the road combined with pure driving pleasure. At the same time the most advanced technologies on the drivetrain, suspension and safety system meet all the demands of even the most discerning coupé customer. And last but certainly not least, the Z4 Coupé Concept offers adequate space and all the motoring comfort and convenience even the enthusiastic aficionado of a thoroughbred sports car would not like to miss these days in a sporting two-seater of this calibre.

Source - BMW

A rear-wheel drive sports vehicle, the BMW Z4 was known as the E85 in roadster form, and E86 in coupe form. Replacing the BMW Z3, production began in 2002. The Z4 was much larger than its predecessor and featured a significantly stiffer chassis. Originally only available as a roadster, in 2006 a coupe version was finally released. Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the BMW Z4 has been in production since the 2003 model year. The Z4 is BMW's only two-seat sports car.

The BMW-Z4 was designed by Danish BMW-designer Anders Warming. Warming was later famed with creating the Mille Miglia Concept vehicle with many of the similarities from the Z4. Considered to be one of the more unique sports vehicles currently available, the Z4 features an exquisite inline six-cylinder engine, and fabulous styling. The Z4 is famed for its excellent handling and steering and it counters with a light curb weight.

Available as a roadster with a convertible top or a fixed-roof coupe, the BMW Z4 featured the traditional front-engine/rear-drive layout, an elongated hood (that some consider ‘shoe-like' in appearance) and rearward positioning of driver and passenger. To add tension to the Z4's shape, the car showcased an extremely chiseled exterior design.

The original BMW Z4 from 2003 through 2005 was broken down inti either 2.5i or 3.0i. The 3.0i used a 3.0-liter straight six-cylinder engine that achieved 225 hp, while the 2.5i had a 2.5-liter, inline six-cylinder engine that achieved 184hp. Available transmission were a five-speed manual that was standard on the 2.5, a six-speed manual that was standard on the 3.0, a five-speed automatic or a six-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox that was featured on the M3. Only a few small updates were made over these years, but not enough to differentiate one model from another.

Much like the Z3, the Z4 featured a strut type front suspension, while its rear suspension was completely different and was based on that of the E30 BMW 3-Series. The Z4 also featured a much more conventional multi-link suspension, rather than a semi-trailing arm suspension.

The 200 BMW Z4 was available in two trim levels, the 3.0i and 3.0si. The 3.0i featured 17-inch wheels, antilock brakes, power mirror and windows, stability control, manually operated seats and vinyl upholstery. Standard, the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine was rated at 215 hp; the six-speed manual transmission was also standard, while a six-speed automatic is optional. The 3.0si came with 18-inch wheels, several improved interior updates and a 255-hp 3.0-liter inline six. Both trim levels offered a variety of option, these included a Premium package with a power-operated top, and a Sport package that was designed to improve the car's handling capabilities. It added stiffer and lower suspension, larger wheels with run-flat tires, BMW's Vehicle Stability Control system; Dynamic Driving control. The BMW Z4 coupe is only available in the 3.0si trim.
The Sport package isn't needed though for a rewardable driving experience, the BMW Z4 offers that no matter what. The coupe had an advantage over the roadster in the terms of handling because of its additional body rigidity.

A choice of four straight-six engines were available on the BMW Z4, the 2.2 L, 2.5 L, 3.0 L and 3.2 L, all are variants of the BMW M54 engine. A 2.0 L straight-4 engine was available in the European market. Not available in the U.S. the 2.2 L, 170 bhp version could achieve 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. The 2.5 L engine could achieve 192 bhp at 6,000 rpm. With a manual transmission, it is rated at 6.8 seconds at 62 mph. Weighing 2,932 lbs with a manual transmission is 66lbs lighter than the 3.0 L version. The 3.0 L was capable of 231 bhp at 5,900 rpm and its straight six could achieve a 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds. The 3.2 L reached 330 bhp at 7,900 rpm and had 262 lb/ft of torque at 4,900 rpm.

A Bangle-designed concept coupe version of the Z4 was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005. A company announcement was made on November 22, 2005 that the coupe would be available for delivery in the U.S. by June 2006, along with the return of the M Coupe. On April 4, 2006, production began at the Spartanburg, SC BMW plant, and the production vehicles were unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April 2006.

The BMW Z4 was also available in an M-powered version. This was the most powerful car of the Z4 lineup and it featured a naturally aspirated, inline six cylinder engine that was used in the third generation of the M3. The Z4 M produced 340 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 270 lb/ft of torque. With a top speed of 250 km/h, the M could achieve 0-100 km/h in just five seconds. The M Roadster also shares its 6-speed Getrag 217 manual gearbox with the M3.

For 2006, the Z4 was extensively updated and because of this, all models from '06 on were even more improved and a better choice for buyers. BMW installed its new N52 I-6 engines in all of the Z4 line. Mid-year in 2006 BMW released the coupe body steel, both the 215-hp and 255-hp engines, and the six-speed automatic. The N52 featured a magnesium block construction which consisted of an aluminum interior for the cylinders, along with an outer magnesium block.

To achieve increased performance, this engine featured BMW's Valvetronic variable valve timing system, which is incredibly more powerful through the middle of the rev range, and also improved handling and turn-in due to the decreased weight over the nose of the car. Other updates included a retuned standard suspension that improved ride quality, a higher final-drive ratio that only improved acceleration, additional braking functionality for the stability control system, new wheel designs, minor interior trim revisions and updated front and rear styling. The brakes size was also increased on the 3.0si models for 2006.

The Z4 3.0i Roadster released in 2008, when equipped with the optional Sport package, came complete with wheels very similar to the original Z4 Coupe concept vehicle.

According to the Auto Press, the 2008 BMW Z4 ranks 7 out of 8 Luxury Sports Cars, this analysis is ranked on 24 published reviews and test drives, along with an extensive review of reliability and safety data. The '08 Z4 3.0si was a two-seat hatchback coupe that came with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and a manual transmission. Automatic transmission is optional, and the Z4 was also available as a convertible.

On August 27 2008, the Z4 line ended its production in North America at its Spartanburg, SC plant. Production has been shifted to the Regensburg, Germany plant for the its next-generation model, the E89.

Elizabeth Johnson

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