BMW Z4 M Coupe
You can always tell when a car was primarily designed to be one thing and then adapted for other uses. As a result, hatchbacks with a boot often look ridiculous and many a sumptuous open-topped roadster has been joined by a rather awkward looking hardtop version. The BMW Z4 defies this logic, however, with the new hardtop coupe actually outshining the already attractive Z4 roadster. Rather than a rigid roof artificially superimposed on the body of a 2+2 roadster, this new model not only adds to the overall beauty of the Z4’s design, it has actually helped to solve some of its design flaws.
Much of this is down to the shape of the roof itself. Unlike its rather unusual looking predecessor, the Z3 coupe, this hardtop is so well designed that all of the angles and dimensions fit perfectly. Gone is the long, awkward hot-dog shape and fragile-looking bubble roof of the Z3. In the new car, BMW’s controversial new geometry of design looks in place-the sharply inclined roofline adding aggression and agility to its stance. Although actually a stretched out fastback in design, the Z4 coupe’s slanting back revives the lively and stylish look of 1960s and 70s sports cars, accounting for much of the enthusiasm it generated when launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
A lot of sniggering remarks-usually born out of jealousy-are made about people who own sporty cars such as these, but in this age of oversized SUVs and jeeps, not to mention padded driving experiences, models like the Z4 keep the fun in driving alive. Why? Because they’re real-or as near as you’ll get with a modern car. No matter if you opt for a Z4 because it’s such a wonderful fashion accessory or because you want to impress, once you hoist yourself into position behind the steering wheel you will be in for an experience that will change your perspective of driving forever.
This is almost literally the case, as the novelty of a low-slung driving position soon becomes the norm. In other words, it takes some getting used to but once you’ve experienced the thrill of sporty suspension, a low off the ground position, a throaty engine and highly responsive steering, you’re likely to be hooked. From then on, stepping into a normal saloon, SUV or jeep will feel like driving a bus or truck around town. Sure, there are more comfortable, more spacious cars around that offer far more in the way of gadgetry, but BMW have done well to keep the Z4’s instrumentation and comfort levels within BMW standards without softening the raw appeal of a two-seater too much.
As a result, the dashboard is characteristically BMW yet somewhat more spartan than you’d find in most models in the company’s line-up. If the current model’s facia is somewhat bench-like, the bespoke model shown off in Frankfurt illustrates just how sexy they can make a car’s interior look. It is a sublime study in stitched leather, lacquered aluminium and metal, rather than cleverly constructed synthetic materials, and likely to feature in top-of-the-range models. The engine of this new to launch car is the updated version of the current 3.2 litre powerhouse, producing 370 horsepower and Porsche 911 speeds. Although well-behaved enough through traffic, where sticky lower gears are the only complaint, this is a driver’s car that produces exhilarating, adrenalin-inducing speed, acceleration and agility accompanied by the kind of roar that will involuntarily put a smile on your face. Whether eating up the kilometres on a motorway or white knuckle driving on winding roads, you are never legally going to test this beautiful machine properly, so those who do fall in love with driving in its purest form are advised to either take things in moderation or head for their nearest circuit to really let the beast out.
