2009 BMW Z4---Dawn of a new horizon. Photo credit: Olympus Stylus 1030
For 2009, the all new design of the second generation BMW Z4 has done some growing. Kind of like the neighbor you paid no attention to at all until one day you happened to catch him, or her out on the town looking drop dead gorgeous, leaving you mesmerized!
Visually, Z4 bears a strikingly chic resemblance to the 6-series BMW from both the front and rear--with its twin kidney front grill and full figured stance from the rear. At the same time you can't help to think about the fierce designs of Aston Martins (and now the Jaguar XK), courtesy of British designer Ian Callum. Plain and simple, the sidelines are just downright nasty in terms of newly appointed sex appeal. Think long, lean and freshly worked out to help set the tone. One of my favorites in particular is the noticeable larger door opening. Technically, it's just a a spec over an inch, but if feels like they've given us the whole yard (that line is reminiscent of Mr.s Novak, my 4th grade teacher)!
Visibility was yet another challenge with the previous generation of not only the Z4, but practically every car in the same class, specifically concerning blind spots. Not any more in the Z4, where the side windows are reportedly 40% larger and actually seem like it too! And while we're on the subject of gains, perhaps it's fair to report the added weight that comes with the car's new fully automatic, two piece retractable, 20-second aluminum hardtop. That's enough time to stop, pose and drop the top as soon as you get in, without holding up the valet line.
Okay, okay, okay...now, how many of you can recall seeing a big guy--say, upwards of six feet tall--driving a Z4? How awkward was that? I mean, come on, didn't he look funny to you too? You almost wanted to pull him over and say "hey, you need the 6-series!" Well, those days are long gone thanks to a further interior increase in headroom, shoulder and elbow space, not to mention the big, bodacious 18-inch wheels on the exterior.
With all of that said, now let's talk performance: Standard in the new Z4 is a 255 horsepower engine. Jump up to the sDrive35i's and gain 45 horses with a 300 that delivers!
On the fluff side, yeah, it's got xenon adaptive headlights, rain sensing wipers, a glass rear window, speed sensitive steering and so much more.
The bottom-line here is that in its class, the new Z4, reigns supreme in the categories of both style and performance. Plain and simple, it delivers!
MSRP: $51,650 Mileage: 17 city / 24 highway Annual Fuel: $1,955 @ $2.66/gallon premium fuel
Also, have you seen the new BMW 750Li?
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