Zed, set, go!

With the roof tucked away in the boot and the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six snarling away under that long hood, it’s easy to feel like a rock star. And you feel really special driving the Z4. Every time you look at this new BMW, with its classic roadster looks (long hood, short boot), it makes you ache to zip through your favourite road, arm on the door, shades on.

That it feels this way is a huge part of this second-generation Z4’s appeal. The other, almost as significant part of its appeal, is the roof — the proper hardtop that electrically folds into the boot at the touch of a button.

Because it is so capable of switching its feel, between open-top sportster and snug coupé, all questions about the practicality of convertibles in India are left locked outside the tight-fitting roof. Or are they? Remember, this is still a two-seat, low ground clearance, low-profile-tyred, Rs 61.2 lakh ride. It’s on sale in India at the moment and there are a few crucial questions that need answering.

Fast and furious

First things first. Does it go as fast as its looks suggest? Well, give the car full throttle and jump off the brakes, and the answer slaps you in the face — hell yes! The launch control system activates, the revs build up, the seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox dumps clutch and before you know it, you’re shooting down the road with a very satisfying scream and two long strips of slain rubber. Driven in this manner, the Z4 sDrive 35i (that’s the official first name and surname) will hit a 100kph in just 6.18 seconds, breach 200kph in an equally impressive 22.68 seconds and slam into the speed-limiter at 250kph.

Even more appealing is the way the motor pulls cleanly and very linearly, almost to its redline. It may not come with the ballistic top-end of BMW’s naturally aspirated sixes, but the fantastic midrange more than makes up for this. The thing is, it’s so linear that you sometimes forget how fast you are going — it’ll sneak up on 180kph when you’re not paying attention to the needle and then run up to 220kph if you hold onto the throttle for more than a bit.

The gearbox is quick and unhindered by the safety net that BMW usually burdens its regular automatic gearboxes with. It’ll downshift when you ask it to, and the noise it makes — oh man! From the crackle at start-up to the metallic bark when under load, the Z4’s exhaust sounds ever so pleasing.

Smooth operator

Now that the first question has been answered, let’s get on with the next one. Does it handle like it should? Well, the way it goes around corners is impressive. There’s plenty of grip, there’s little body roll and indulging in some tail-out action with the traction control switched off is terrific. The steering is razor sharp and with zero slack — and the compact roadster darts into corners with remarkable ease.

The tiny dimensions, instant throttle response and brilliant chassis balance make it a breeze to chuck around without imagining paramedics coming to your aid. The only problem is that the Z4 doesn’t have the torsional rigidity of a full-fledged coupé. It understeers initially despite having a claimed 50/50-weight distribution and this is accentuated by the DSC or BMW’s stability control system, which plays spoilsport constantly.

Though the ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport+’ modes on my test car weren’t functioning, there’s no doubting the punch of this champ in these modes or faulting the high levels of grip and the fantastic brakes. And for its corner-carving abilities, it doesn’t ride too badly either. Sure, there are sharp vertical movements over bumps, and it crashes through big ones, but given that this is a sports car, it’s something that owners will have no trouble living with.

Inside story

For all other purposes, the Z4 is practical enough. Roof up, it is surprisingly roomy and outside visibility is good despite the low seats. However, in hard-top mode, you realise that it’s a pretty cramped cabin. Even so, quality is top-notch and all the controls are intuitively laid out, except for the paddleshifts whose ‘push for downshift, pull for upshift’ action can get confusing while attacking corners.

Final Verdict

The Z4 makes a pretty strong case for itself. It’s well built, it’s got genuine dual-purpose ability and the engine is nothing short of fabulous. It seamlessly blends modern-car practicality with classic roadster appeal and that’s why it gets two thumbs ups.

Spec check

BMW z4 sdrive 35i

Price: Rs 61.2 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai)

L/W/H: 4239/1790/1291mm

Engine: 6-cyls in-line, 2979cc, twin-turbo petrol, front, longitudinal, RWD

Power: 302bhp at 5800rpm

Torque: 40.8kgm at 1300-5000rpm

Gearbox: 7-speed twin-clutch

Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs

Tyre size (F/R): 225/40 R18 and 255/35 R18


The Personal Telegraph