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BMW has confirmed its new high-performance Z4 Roadster, which will officially debut at next month’s Detroit auto show, will join the line-up in Australia.
Accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, the BMW Z4 sDrive35is features a modified straight-six twin turbo engine with high precision injection technology with an output of 250 kW.
The roadster’s impressive performance time is identical to the six-speed manual BMW M3 Coupé. Peak torque is 450 Newton-metres, increasing briefly to 500 Newton-metres courtesy of an overboost function.
The new halo model for the Z4 Roadster range is fitted exclusively with BMW’s seven-speed Sport Automatic with double clutch operation – including a launch control function - and an M Sport Package including adaptive suspension which also lowers the car by 10 millimetres.
Despite increased performance, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are no higher than the 225 kW Z4 sDrive35i, an excellent example of the EfficientDynamics mission of delivering typical BMW driving pleasure customers expect whilst minimising emissions.
In addition to the engine’s impressive blend of performance and fuel consumption, the roadster is also equipped standard with BMW EfficientDynamics technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering and on-demand control and management of ancillary units.
BMW Group Australia managing director, Stavros Yallouridis, says the new hero roadster will make a welcome addition to the local line-up.
“Total sales of all sports cars in the segment above $80,000 have been stuck in neutral this year, but the new Z4 Roadster is one of the few to defy this trend. Customer deliveries have doubled from the run-out volumes of the predecessor model last year and monthly sales are tracking at their highest levels since the Z4 nameplate was first introduced back in 2003.
“As we move into summer, we’re seeing a further increase in customer orders for the new Z4 Roadster, which combines classic proportions with modern sportiness. The more powerful Z4 sDrive35is will no doubt be eagerly sought after by roadster aficionados,” he says.
The new BMW Z4 sDrive35is will arrive in local BMW showrooms in May. Pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.
Note to editors: Currently the Z4 sDrive35i is the most popular Z4 purchased by Australian customers, accounting for 44 per cent of all sales, followed by the Z4 sDrive30i (30 per cent) and Z4 sDrive23i (26 per cent).
The BMW Group
The BMW Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 24 production facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
The BMW Group achieved a global sales volume of more than 1.43 million automobiles and over 101,000 motorcycles for the 2008 financial year. Revenues for 2008 totalled EUR 53.2 billion, with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 921 million. The company employed a global workforce of approximately 98,000 associates on 30 September 2009.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last five years.
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