BMW Z4 (E89)

Z4 sDrive35is

The Z4 sDrive35is is not available with a 6 speed manual. It was only available with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the M Sport trim,[40] and uses an upgraded version of the N54 engine shared with the 1 Series M Coupé. The engine has a computer-controlled overboost function for 3rd to 7th gears. The boost function activates after each gear change with full throttle, and lasts for 7 seconds between 1,500 and 4,500rpm.[41] Peak torque during overboost is 500 Nm, compared to 450 Nm without.[42]

Zagato Coupé (2012)

The Zagato Coupé was a concept car based on the Z4 (E89) developed in collaboration with Italian design house Zagato. It was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on 25 May 2012. As the then BMW chief designer Adrian van Hooydonk and Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada were friends, the decision was quickly made when Andrea Zagato proposed a collaboration with BMW.[43] The body of the Zagato Coupé was built entirely by hand and includes a double-bubble roof[44] and Rosso Vivace paint which changes colour depending on the lighting, ranging from a near black to a bright red. The Zagato Coupé also incorporates the letter "z" in its design, with the kidney grille composed of small matte "z" letters,[45] with "z" letters embroidered into the seats.[46]

Zagato Roadster (2012)

The Zagato Roadster was the roadster version of the Zagato Coupé that was unveiled three months earlier, and was introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 19 August 2012. The Zagato Roadster was manufactured in six weeks, from the first design idea to the finished model.[47] Similar to the Zagato Coupé, the paint work of the Roadster changes appearance according to the lighting, ranging from dark grey to a light silver. The roadster does away with the retractable hard-top of the Z4 and incorporated a tonneau cover for protection of the interior which incorporates a double-bubble shape.[48] The Zagato roadster has a black interior, with a strip of brown leather trim extending to the roll-over hoops.[49]

2011

• The six-cylinder sDrive23i and sDrive30i models were replaced by turbocharged four-cylinder sDrive20i and sDrive28i models. For the US market, only the sDrive28i was launched.

2012

• The roof mechanism could now be operated at speeds up to 40 km/h. Previously only up to 10 km/h.

2013 facelift

The Z4 facelift (also known as LCI) models were introduced in March 2013. Major changes were:

• Redesigned headlights (now using LED lamps) and side indicators.[50][51]
• Interior changes including black surrounds for the central air vents, and revised higher quality switches, control panel and buttons.[52]
• The introduction of the sDrive18i model introduced, powered by the N20 turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating a power output of 115 kW.[53]
• Introduction of the "Pure Balance Design" and "Pure Traction Design" option packages.

BMW Z4 GT3 (2010–2015)

The Z4 GT3 was an FIA GT3-specification model available to private teams.[59] It is powered by the P65B44 V8 engine[60] based on the production engine used in the E92 M3 and generates a power output of 384 kW.[61] The weight of the Z4 GT3 is approximately 1190 kg.

In its 2010 debut season, the Z4 GT3 won the Dubai 24 Hour GT3 endurance event and finished second at the 2011 24 Hours of Spa event by the Need For Speed Team Schubert.[62] The Z4 GT3 achieved several victories in the FIA GT3 Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series.[63]

In the 2011 Super GT season, Nobuteru Taniguchi and Taku Bamba won the GT300 class in a Z4 GT3. Tatsuya Kataoka and Nobuteru Taniguchi repeated this in 2014.

In 2013, the Z4 GT3 finished second at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.[64][65]

In 2015, the Z4 GT3 finished first at the 2015 24 Hours of Spa.[66]

In 2016, the Z4 GT3 was replaced by the M6 GT3.[67]

Several years after the car was retired, German racing team Saugmotoren Motorsport announced that they would be entering the Z4 GT3 for a one-off appearance in the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring with Ralf Schall, Christian Scherer, Henry Walkenhorst, and team owner Julian Reeh piloting the car.[68][69] Despite the car's age, it was granted entry into the top SP 9 class against much newer competition.

BMW Z4 GTE (2013–2015)

The Z4 GTE competed in the GT class of the 2013 American Le Mans Series, the GT Le Mans class of the 2014-2015 United SportsCar Championship and the 2014-2015 European Le Mans Series. It is also powered by the P65B44 V8 engine.

Turner Motorsport won the inaugural 2014 Tudor United SportsCar GT-Daytona Championship with an altered version of the Z4 GT3.[70]