Following the huge success of its predecessor, the BMW Z3 M, and a four-year production hiatus without a BMW M roadster, the premiere of its successor was a much-anticipated event. Designed by then BMW chief designer Chris Bangle, the BMW Z4 M E85 was immediately recognised as a future classic. The timeless, sporty roadster design with its long bonnet, low, rearward seating position and short rear end was enhanced with distinctive M specific details. Under the bonnet, the multi-award-winning straight six-cylinder engine from the BMW M3 E46 did its job, making the two-seater the most powerful member of the Z4 series. The focus on driving pleasure typical of roadsters took on a whole new meaning at the wheel of the BMW Z4 M E85 thanks to M typical dynamics, agility and sportiness, providing its occupants with the ultimate driving experience.
5 POWERFUL FACTS:
- BMW M inline six-cylinder engine (S54B32)
- Displacement: 3,246 cm3
- Max. power: 252 kW (343 hp)
- From 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds
- Top speed 250 km/h
HIGH-PERFORMANCE IN JEDER HINSICHT.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE IN JEDER HINSICHT.
Under the elongated bonnet of the BMW Z4 M E85 pulses a legendary M engine. When the Z4 M was launched, the S54B32 had already collected the prestigious International Engine of the Year award five times in a row. These figures explain why.
The award winner is a powerful 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder engine with high-revving characteristics. The engine unleashes its power like a turbine and can be revved up to 8,000 rpm without any problems, reaching its maximum output of 252 kW (343 hp) at 7,900 rpm. At the same time, the engine offers a wide usable rev range that also allows for relaxed cruising: 80 per cent of the maximum torque of 365 Nm is already available at 2,000 rpm.
TOP PERFORMANCE VALUES.
TOP PERFORMANCE VALUES.
The high-torque, high-powered engine, combined with typical M characteristics, delivers impressive performance. Contributing to this is the short shift travel of the 6-speed manual transmission as are the optimised ratios of gearbox and rear axle due to the high-rev engine concept. Another factor is the low power-to-weight ratio of just 4.1 kilograms per horsepower. The BMW Z4 M E85 can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds, a top figure at the time. The intermediate sprint from 80 to 120 km/h in fourth gear also takes just 5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Despite the lack of a roof structure, the body of the BMW Z4 M E85 is characterised by maximum stability. Designed as a roadster from the outset, it was perfectly tailored to the requirements of open-top driving. As a result, its torsional rigidity was the best in its class at the time.
The high-performance roadster thus offered impressive cornering dynamics, which supplied the brand's typical driving pleasure with an extra kick.
DESIGN: OPEN FASCINATION.
DESIGN: OPEN FASCINATION.
The design of the first Z4 generation is an aesthetic embodiment of the purist driving experience. The two-seater combines the characteristic design language of a thoroughbred roadster with a sculptural aesthetic of convex-concave surfaces that make the vehicle unmistakable. BMW M has sharpened the appearance with a series of striking design elements, transforming the two-seater into a BMW M Roadster.
From the front, the M version of the BMW Z4 is immediately recognisable by the two aerodynamic flaps on the front apron and the design edges in the bonnet. The front apron with three air intakes connects to the BMW kidney grille. It emphasises the width of the Z4 M and visually hugs it close to the road. At the same time, the intakes ensure the increased cooling requirements of the high-performance engine and brakes are met. On the side, in the characteristic ‘Z-fold’, a three-dimensional BMW logo stands out, complemented by an M badge. A striking M feature at the rear is the horizontal diffuser, which frames the four-pipe exhaust system with its chrome-plated tailpipes.
SPORTY, PURISTIC ROADSTER INTERIOR.
SPORTY, PURISTIC ROADSTER INTERIOR.
The BMW Z4 M E85 also stands out with its highly distinctive interior design, combining classic roadster elements with a modern interior. The M sports seats, M leather steering wheel, centre console and M gear knob are upholstered in high-quality Nappa leather, creating a flair that adds an extra, intense nuance to the roadster’s typical driving experience with its recessed, low seating position.
The round instruments for the speedometer, rev counter and oil temperature are purist and clear in design and can be read in the blink of an eye, as you would expect from a sports car. Their colour scheme with black dial, white numbers and red hands is also typical of M. This clear design language, combined with the elegant mix of materials, promises the typical M pleasure of sporty driving the moment you sit down. A promise that is confirmed the instant the powerful six-cylinder sparks to life.
FROM DAY ONE.
Already at its premiere, the BMW Z4 M E85 caused a stir – today it is a modern automotive icon. Its extraordinary design, a high-revving classic naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine with unique characteristics, and a production run of around 5,000 units make this high-performance roadster a coveted collector's item that has retained its value impressively well. Even 20 years later, the BMW Z4 M E85 still looks as fresh and progressive as it did on the day it was unveiled and is still perceived today as what it is at its core: the epitome of the modern, extremely sporty roadster.
