BMW’s answer to the Audi TT RS—the 250kW Z4 sDrive35is—has arrived in Australia. BMW told us back in May that the hero model in the Z4 range was going to be priced from $129,990 and we also know most of the car’s other specs. Best take a look at the fantastic images supplied by BMW Australia, then. You can see them after the break; why don’t you recreate them yourself next time you’re driving along the Seacliff Bridge.
Official looking pics of the BMW Z4 GT3 emerged earlier this month, but until now no details had been released from BMW’s PR spin doctors. However, at the time those first pics appeared it turns out BMW was delivering the Z4 GT3 to customers.
There seems to have been method to BMW’s PR approach, maybe. Now, with customer experience to report on, BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen can say stuff like, “The feedback on the BMW Z4 GT3 is extremely positive.” Not real convincing is it. But there’s no reason it shouldn’t be, the Z4 GT3 looks like a right little monster.
As expected the Z4 GT3 car is powered by a 4.0 litre V8 sourced from the M3 GT2. It’s good for more than 480bhp. Other technologies and developments from the Gt2 have been adapted, as well. Things like engine management, ABS, traction control and the sequential shift transmission have all benefitted from previous race experience.
The use of carbon fibre reinforced plastic for the majority of body panels has helped keep weight down to 1200kg. For those not so quick with their sums, that gives the Z4 GT3 a power to weight ratio of around 400hp per ton. That should do.
You can have your very own Z4 GT3 for just €300K (AU$445K). Well, go on then, don’tlet me stop you.
Expect to see the latest BMW purpose-built racer in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the ADAC GT Masters and the International GT Open. Longer one-off 24 hour races such as Nürburgring, Spa and Dubai are also likely to feature the Z4 GT3. Until you see images and action from these events you might have to make do with the images available after the jump.
UPDATE: A brief video of the Z4 GT3 in action at the Nürburgring is available at AUSringers.
UPDATE 25 April: Pics from the Z4 GT3 in practice and racing in the VLN series have been added below.
Yesterday I spent the morning behind the wheel of BMW’s current Z4 offerings. It was a brief taster provided by local dealership Rolfe Classic BMW. The deal was pretty simple, get existing and prospective customers in small groups to take the Z4 range out for a leisurely drive. We would stop at various points on the drive to swap cars and ensure that everyone got time in each model.
There are currently three options in the Australian Z4 range—all with inline six cylinder engines—the entry level 150kW sDrive23i, mid-range 190kW sDrive30i and the top spec 225kW twin-turbo sDrive35i. In May 2010 the range will have a new hero model, the 250kW sDrive35is.
This was by no means an exhaustive test, but it was a very nice way to spend a lovely Saturday morning. Thoughts on each of the cars can be read below.
As is the fashion nowadays BMW has given its all new Z4 an early reveal. Scheduled for an official release at the Detroit Auto Show (11–25 January, 2009). So, in addition to the two videos posted yesterday, here are 14 images from the press pack, all of which can be viewed as 2000px super images by simply clicking on each picture.
AUSmotive staff reckon the new Z4 looks pretty good. Although, all are in agreement that the centre channel on the bonnet, leading to the kidney grille, is a little fussy. So, too, the point where the front to door handle swooping crease line meets the rear quarter panel crease. Maybe that’s not fussy, as much as it is messy. Oh, we’re also not entirely convinced about the look of the folding metal roof. And why on earth are they using that RSL club standard issue metallic beige paint as the hero colour?
We keep thinking of the Z4 in a trad Germanic dark silver, with red leather interior and some kick arse 20″ BBS wheels and think these minor issues can be overcome. Overall, then, AUSmotive gives the car’s exterior a big thumbs up.
More pics and words after the jump.