There's something rotten in the state of Bavaria when BMW's M division is more keen to tune out crossovers than roadsters. While the previous-generation Z4 and the Z3 that preceded it both had M versions, the current Z4 has been conspicuously absent from the hall's of the BMW performance division. That could all change if the bean-counters see a good business case for a Z4 M, but in the meantime we're reportedly slated to get something even crazier: the V8-powered Z4 GT3.
The competition-spec model loses the folding roof in favor of a fixed one reinforced by a full roll cage. It also gets racing slicks and a much more aggressive aero package. But the fun part is the V8 engine from the outgoing M3, tuned to 480 horsepower and paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox.
Inside Line has it on good authority that the Z4 GT3 will soon be available to privateer racers in America, but it will, of course, be restricted to closed tracks. And considering it costs the equivalent of over $400,000 in Europe, it hardly fills the gap left by the absence of the street-legal Z4 M we're still pining for.
There's something extraordinarily sexy about a woman who can handle a car. Especially when they also dream that their plain-Jane-Z4 is really a BMW Z4 GT3 — just like the woman in this BMW web advert. Rowr! More »
The BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster will serve up its engine bay for the new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Output is rated at 240-horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque, which arrives at just 1,250 rpm. Using a combination of direct-injection, BMW's Valvetronic intake management and a twin-scroll turbo allows the engine to produce V6 power with I4 efficiency. BMW expects to see a 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing motor. The eight-speed automatic transmission will also certainly help the Z4 in the fuel economy fight.
No word yet on pricing or a date when we can see the turbocharged Z4 sitting in dealer showrooms. Click past the jump to read the full press release.
Conundrum alert gearheads! Does your lust for diesel outweigh your desire for speed? Is a sexy BMW drop-top more or less sexy when you drop in a more powerful motor for a top-o-the-line diesel fourbanger? Would you rock AC Shnitzer's 99d concept car? More »
The automobile industry has been mired by the recession for so long, it is difficult to recall happier times when money-and creativity flowed in the marketing of cars. BMW broke barriers in automobile advertising in a way no other automaker had done in ages. Between 2001 and 2002, BMW released eight short films straight via their internet site, directed by the most renowned movie directors in the business. There were two commonalities between all the films-first, all the feature cars, were obviously BMWs, and second, the driver, Clive Owen, whose dashing good looks and steely demeanor are on a James Bond level.
The art of the films were impressive, but the purpose was to sell cars. And BMW reaped the benefits. After the first films went online, there were eleven million viewings in the first four months. Two million people registered to get more information from BMW. Sales of BMW cars increased 12% from the previous year.
This series on The Garage features some of my personal favorite films from the series. We will start with “Hostage”. Click to view, and there is more information about the film after the jump.
“The Hostage” was directed by John Woo. Woo’s eye of assimilating the revolver of a gun to the design of the BMW Z4′s wheels is genius. You may also recognize Kathryn Morris from the tv series Cold Case. Most impressive of all is the power of what a short film is capable of providing to the viewer, but that BMW took advertising their cars in a way no sixty second commercial could ever possibly convey. Power. Passion. Intensity. An emotional investment in the characters. BMW reached heights of automotive marketing that have yet to be matched, and it is our pleasure at The Garage to share, and relive the magic with our readers.
The BMW Z4 GT3's a $408,000, roll-caged, carbon-fibered, 4.0-liter V8-powered, six-speed sequential shifted track-day all-star. It also comes shipped in boxes. Watch Team West Coast Racing put theirs together in this time-lapse video compressing 600 hours of labor. [ColdTrackDays] More »
