Isn’t a small two-seater convertible cool? Yes, it’s even great. But be careful, there aren’t many left on the market. The BMW Z4 is one of them and it’s an excellent thing.
Remember a time when two-seater convertibles were everywhere: MG, of course, Alfa Spider, too, but also Fiat Barchetta, Audi TT, Mercedes SLK… Even Renault had its little Wind, based on the Twingo. And then? And then the wind swept everything away. Today, there remains the formidable Mazda MX-5, the future 100% electric MG Cyberster, and this BMW Z4, precisely. A proposition as solid as it is endearing.
What's new?
The origins of the Z4 date back to 1995, when, in the film Goldeneye, James Bond drives the brand new BMW Z3, which will be sold from 1996 to 2002 (historians will also mention the original Z1 from 1989). The car is a real commercial success, with nearly 300,000 units produced. The Z4 succeeds it in 2002, with a more mature style. It will have known three generations, the first even being split into a coupe; the other two arrive in 2009 and 2018. Our third generation has been slightly improved in 2024, precisely, with a redesigned grille, new rims, new colors and the M pack delivered as standard on all models. No revolution, but it's still nice.
And under the hood?
With the 2024 update, the 30i version (2 l, turbo, 258 horsepower) disappears. The top of the range remains topped by the M40i (6-cylinder in-line turbo, 340 horsepower), which some markets (not us) are entitled to, in addition to the 8-speed automatic transmission version, an excellent 6-speed manual transmission (the kind of thing to collect urgently!). For our part, we had the second engine, the entry-level one: the 20i (a four-cylinder, turbo), 197 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque. Enough to offer very decent performance (0 to 100 in 6.5 seconds) for fuel consumption that remains controlled and taxation that is still acceptable.
And behind the wheel, what's it like?
We sit low, legs stretched out, close to the steering wheel; I love it! As always, the ergonomics of BMWs are excellent, with physical touches still numerous and well placed. The build quality is there, and the configuration of our test car (ivory leather, purple paint, black wheels and hood) gives this car a real presence. The sound of the 2-liter is quite discreet, which allows the Z4, well helped by its automatic gearbox, to be an excellent everyday companion; we will just be careful of the long hood when maneuvering. The electric hood can be operated in less than ten seconds and even while driving, provided you stay under the 50 km/h mark. The Z4 thus excels in touring mode, thanks to the torque of its turbo engine available immediately, with consumption that even falls below the 7 l/100 mark in cool use, in excellent comfort. In more sporty use, we appreciate the rigor of the chassis, the excellent front end and the precise steering, while the engine, not hyper demonstrative, still sends a little more punch and sound past the 5000 rpm mark. Which does not make the Z4 a real sports car. But at the wheel, the driving pleasure remains constant.
Its strong point?
For really reduced running costs with this 2.0 engine, the Z4 is a bit like the guardian of the temple of automotive pleasure, hair in the wind!
No, a convertible is not only useful in summer, quite the contrary. With the top down, you stay protected from turbulence, and in winter, with a touch of heating and a hat, here is a way to savor automotive pleasure that offers unique flavors.
Key figures
Engine: 4-cylinder in-line, turbo
Displacement: 1998 cm3
Power: 197 hp at 6500 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm at 1450 rpm
Gearbox: automatic, 8 gears
Weight: 1525 kilos
Maximum speed: 240 km/h
0 to 100 km/h: 6.5 seconds
Official / test consumption: 7.2 l/100 / 7.4/100
Price: BMW Z4 range from
71 324 00 dollar