New 2009 BMW Z4 Videos

BMW has released two new videos of the 2009 Z4, one that gives us a backstage-look on the work that went behind the development of the hard-top roadster and another concerning the styling of the car with BMW's exterior designer Juliane Blasi sharing her thoughts on the matter. The second-generation Z4 that comes with a two-piece, electro-hydraulically operated Retractable Hard-Top roof that can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds, will make its world debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show.

BMW Z4 Prototype

BMW Z4 Exterior Design

For Sale: BMW Z4 with 551HP M5 V10 Engine

Germans love power and speed. While most of us would have been more than content with a stock BMW Z4 M, the owner of this Z4 that's for sale on a German online vehicle marketplace found that an inline-six with 343 HP couldn't satisfy his lust for speed. So what more reasonable than to throw in a BMW M5 / M6 sourced 5.0-liter V10 engine. But even the M5 V10's 507 HP weren't enough for our German protagonist who decided to replace the Z4's inline-six with an even more powerful, Hartge-prepped version of the V10 delivering a hefty 551 HP. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Aside from a set of Hartge 20-inch alloy wheels, the Z4 V10 is all stock on the outside. The asking price for the V10-powered German roadster is a not-so-easy-to-swallow, 97,900 Euros which comes to about $137,700 US with the current exchange rates.

Source: Mobile , Via: Autogespot

2009 BMW Z4 Roadster: New Wallpaper Gallery

For some reason, BMW believes that most internet users have 15-inch monitors hooked up to their computers so they decided to issue a wallpaper gallery of the 2009 Z4 hardtop roadster that consists exclusively of 1024x768 photographs. Even though many of you won't be able to use the pics to decorate your pc's background, you may want to see how the new Z4 looks in a color other than the champagne beige shown on the first press photos by following the jump below.

BMW Z4 CS and Z4 RS by DStyle

The new BMW Z4 roadster may have already made its media-debut but that doesn't mean that tuners have abandoned the current generation model. German tuning firm DStyle, for example, has developed a new styling package for both the Z4 Coupe and Roadster model that will be offered in a limited run of 100 units. With more plastic add-ons than Joan Rivers, DStyle's wide bodykit for the coupe "Z4 CS" and the roadster "Z4 RS is supposedly inspired from the world of racing. The 10-piece aero kit costs a hefty €8,900 in Germany -the equivalent of $12,340- and can be combined with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in tires 245/35 ZR19 up front and 275/35 ZR19 at the rear.

Video: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster with Folding Hardtop

The new Z4 is not only the first BMW roadster to be equipped with a lightweight retractable hardtop but it's also the first Z Series model to come turbocharged. The top-of-the-line Z4 sDrive35i is equipped with the Bavarian automaker's renowned 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged in-line 6 which makes 306 horsepower. When combined with BMW's seven-speed dual clutch transmission, the Z4 sDrive35i goes from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in just 5.1 seconds and onto a governed top speed 155mph (250 km/h). Other engine options include the 204HP 2.5-liter and 255HP 3.0-liter naturally aspirated straight-six units.

2009 BMW Z4 with a Retractable Hardtop: 42 High Res Images

BMW has lifted the covers on its brand-new 2009 Z4 roadster that will make its world debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11. By far the most significant change on the new Z4 concerns the replacement of the canvas roof top with a retractable hardtop essentially eliminating the need for a coupe version. The two-piece lightweight aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds

Even though BMW's designers retained the current Z4's classic long-bonnet, short-overhang proportions, the car's styling has been smoothed out featuring less fussy details. One element we're not too fond of are the relatively large tail lamps, but we'll have to wait to see the car up close for our final judgment. The new Z4 is slightly larger than its predecessor thus promising to offer more comfort in terms of cabin and luggage space. BMW's new roadster is 5.8" (147mm) longer, 0.4" wider (10mm), and 0.3" (8mm) lower than the outgoing model while its wheelbase has grown 0.1" (2mm) to measure 98.3" (2.497mm).

Inside the styling is evolutionary with the cabin sporting new air-condition and radio controls as well as the latest generation of BMW's iDrive system which is combined with a larger 8.8'' screen. The Bavarian automaker claims that the boot space is 310 litres with the roof up and 180 liters with the top stowed away in the trunk.

At launch, the Z4 will be available with three direct-injection inline six-cylinder engines. The range in Europe starts with the awkwardly named sDrive23i, a 204 HP 2.5-liter unit that accelerates the Z4 from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 6.6 seconds (7.3 sec for the Sport Automatic) and a top speed of 151mph / 242 km/h (149mph).

The sDrive30i, which will be the entry-level model for the North American market, is equipped with a 255 HP 3.0-liter straight six. This version goes from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds or 6.0 sec with the optional sport automatic.

The range flagship is BMW's acclaimed 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine that produces 306HP at 5,800rpm. The Z4 sDrive35i powers its way from zero to 62mph in 5.2 seconds (5.1 seconds for a 7-Speed Double Clutch Transmission-equipped car) and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph - 250 km/h.

All Z4 models are equipped with BMW's Efficient Dynamics technology that includes Valvetronic engine management, brake energy regeneration, a gear-change indicator and tires with reduced rolling resistance. BMW has also added to the standard equipment an adaptive three-position Dynamic Drive Control system that allows the driver of the new Z4 to choose the drive characteristics of the car.

The new Z4 is expected to go on sale next spring.