Car of the Day 9.30.09
Landin Williams and Evan Griffey, 9.30.2009
Successor to the Z3 line, BMW’s E85 Z4 roadster launched in 2002, its automotive-art-sculpture looks serving as a sign of things to come from then BMW lead designer Chris Bangle. The M-Power division got involved when the M Roadster and E86 M Coupe dropped in 2006. With development dating back to the 3.0-liter straight six found in the E36 series, the Z4’s S54 engine carries on a tradition of performance and reliability. The plant pumps out 330 horsepower, tachs out at 8,000 rpm and when properly speed-shifted lays down 0-60s in the 4.8-second range in the 3200-pound Z4 M Coupe. Despite growing up in the shadow of the venerable M3, the Z4 M Coupe has carved out a small racing pedigree of its own. BMW unveiled a turn-key racing version of the Z4 M Coupe in 2006. The racer, replete with wide-fender body work, aggressive aerodynamics and a 400-horse version of the S54, was designed for privateers and at $300,000-a-pop was an expensive date. The car has seen action in the Langstrecken Meisterschaft Nurburgring, a German endurance series held exclusively at the ‘ring as well as in other endurance events throughout Europe. So FM3 drivers have a worthy target to aim at and the knowledge that a properly built Z4 can be a serious sleeper. There is a grip of performance upgrades waiting in the tuning garage to make the dream a reality and painters will love the coupe’s long nose that beckons like a blank canvas.
2008 BMW Motorsport Z4 M Coupe
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