|
Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
3
liter straight-6 |
Weight |
-- |
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Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
232
lb-ft @ 2500-4000 rpm |
|
HP |
265
@ 6650 rpm |
HP/Weight |
-- |
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HP/Liter |
88
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
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(from BMW Press
Release) A genuine pacemaker for the sports car aficionado
in every respect: At the 61st International Motor Show in
Frankfurt BMW is proudly presenting the Concept Version of a closed
sports car which gives dreams a name: the BMW Z4 Coupé.
Glistening silken-matt
like a powerful sculpture made of solid aluminium, the Z4 Coupé
fascinates the beholder, emanating a flair of true power and
agility. Indeed, this car, one of the most exciting world debuts at
the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, clearly bears out the motto
this year’s event, the largest of its kind in the world: the Thrill
of Motoring.
The Z4 Coupé Concept Car
makes the heart of the sports car enthusiast quite literally skip a
beat, right from the start whetting your appetite to go out there on
the road: extremely driver-oriented in every respect and designed
without the slightest compromise for agility and dynamic
performance, the Z4 Coupé appeals to all your emotions. This is the
kind of car only BMW engineers and designers could create, a
two-seater to which they have given all their passion. So creating
this unique car, BMW is once again setting new trends in design,
motoring concepts and technology – trends which later will be found
again in series production.
The World’s Most Advanced
Six-Cylinder is Waiting for the Signal To Go.
The long and sleek
engine compartment lid, the passenger cell moved far to the rear, as
well as short overhangs front and rear, through their specific
proportions, clearly visualise those outstanding attributes typical
of BMW: A longitudinally mounted straight-six power unit
developing its superior muscle beneath the bonnet and conveying its
power for supreme driving dynamics to the rear axle. In conjunction
with the long wheelbase and, as a result, the emphasis on the rear
end of the car with its centre of gravity visibly moved to the rear,
this muscular Coupé looks as if it is about
to pounce and take off even when regarded at a standstill.
The Concept Car is
powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six already lauded by a number
of the most renowned international awards – an engine which has
become a genuine icon marking BMW’s leadership in innovation in
engine technology. In its latest generation with a composite
magnesium/aluminium crankcase, VALVETRONIC valve control, and
numerous other technical innovations, this six-cylinder is
definitely one of the most advanced power units in the world in
general and in its segment in particular. At the same time it marks
the pinnacle in output and performance: Developing 65 kW or 88 hp
per litre, BMW’s three-litre offers the highest level of specific
output in its class. And as the world’s lightest six-cylinder with a
power-to-weight ratio of 1.18 kW or 1.60 hp/kilogram, it also offers
the highest standard of relative performance.
Maximum output is 195
kW/265 hp at 6,650 rpm, peak torque of 315 Nm or 232 lb-ft comes
consistently between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm.
Boasting rear-wheel
drive unparalleled in its qualities on a sports car and, as a
result, smooth and precise steering unmarred by drive forces,
perfectly balanced axle load distribution, short body overhangs, and
a long wheelbase, the BMW Z4 Coupé has all the attributes required
for sheer driving pleasure of the highest calibre.
BMW’s Answer to a Growing Market
Segment.
Like all of BMW’s
concept cars, the Z4 Coupé is a unique, one-off creation. But its
outstanding performance and the fact that demand for high-profile
premium sports cars is consistently increasing, provides a lot of
food for thought and the input for a very tempting story: to give
the successful
BMW Z4 Roadster a fixed roof “brother” as a further member of the
“Team”.
All the Performance of a
Thoroughbred Sports Car.
The BMW Z4 Coupé Concept
Car is a one-off creation and is not intended for everyday use. But
in a subsequent production series, this outstanding sports car might
well become one of the fastest and most dynamic driving machines on
the road, its final drive ratio again shorter than in the Z4
Roadster allowing even better acceleration.
Benefiting from BMW
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), enhanced Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC), Electrical Power Steering (EPS) and a high-performance brake
system, the driver is able at all times to use all the power and
performance of his – or her – Z4 Coupé for optimum driving dynamics,
enjoying equally outstanding safety in the process.
The foundation for this
superiority is provided by body stiffness of the highest calibre
compared with similar sports cars, not only ensuring supreme driving
dynamics, but also contributing significantly to a standard of crash
safety quite unusual for a sports car.
Familiar but New – Traditional and
Visionary Design Features.
In a style typical of
BMW, the Z4 Coupé Concept Car combines traditional and visionary
design features characteristic of the BMW brand. Indeed, it is this
synthesis of tradition and the future – one of the principles of
BMW’s design philosophy, which makes the design of the car so
authentic, trendsetting and characteristic of the brand.
The fascinating
aesthetic looks of the Z4 Coupé take up the modern, expressive
design language of the BMW Z4 Roadster with its dynamic interaction
of convex and concave surfaces. Combined with the proportions of a
classic Coupé, the sporting but elegant Concept Car is a truly
outstanding, extravagant and – visually and technically –
challenging sports car in every respect.
A Unique Coupé Based on the
Successful BMW Z4 Roadster.
The Coupé is based on
the body and overall layout of the BMW Z4 Roadster and is
characterised by the Roadster’s purebred proportions and expressive
design language. But at the same time BMW’s designers have done much
more than just put a roof on the car: They have created a Coupé with
perfect dimensions and all-round balance, a car which, with its
typically flowing roofline, is sleek and dynamic in its looks while
at the same time exuding the unique flair of sporting elegance.
Without interruption,
the A-pillar extends through the roof in a soft curve all the way to
the rear end, where it merges with the surrounding areas. In the
middle of the roof the Coupé boasts the characteristic recess so
typical of many classic sports cars, giving the car an extremely
flat and low-slung appearance.
The frameless side
windows also emphasising the overall look of this dynamic sports car
are also typical of a Coupé. The seam coming from the rear lid
extends discreetly along the rear windows and then merges into the
car’s sill line, thus maintaining the sporting window graphics of
the rear side windows with that typical Hofmeister “kick” even with
the rear lid open. The luggage compartment, in turn, is large and
spacious for a sports car, offering all the room, for example, for
two large golf bags beneath the rear lid opening up wide to a high
angle.
Glacier Silver paintwork
developed exclusively for this Concept Car gives the Coupé the
silken-matt gloss of a sculpture made of solid aluminium. Through
its cool, metallic look, the paintwork adds a further touch of
strength and timeless value to this unique sports car.
Nineteen-inch aluminium wheels in three-dimensional appearance and
standing out from the car’s body paint in particular through their
dark finish accentuate the overall impression of power and
concentration. Clearly, these wheels are made exclusively for this
Concept Car in elaborate casting technology.
The close link between
the BMW Z4 Coupé and the Z4 Roadster is also reflected by the
striking lines in the side walls with their interacting convex and
concave surfaces. The muscular-looking shoulder line of the car, in
turn, visibly connects the two wheel arches with one another. The
door sill line, finally, rises up dynamically towards the rear axle
of the car, optical extension of the A-pillar setting a visual
counter-point particularly in conjunction with the side air scoop
integrating the side direction indicator beneath the BMW logo also
on the Coupé.
From Behind: Muscular and Sporting
All the Way.
The rear end of the car
bears powerful testimony to the unmistakably sporting character of
the Z4 Coupé: The “greenhouse”, for example, sweeps down powerfully
into the tail section, accentuating the rear wheel arches and
creating a truly powerful and muscular look. The spoiler integrated
in the rear lid, in turn, ensures optimum aerodynamics and
streamlining with the third brake light integrated beneath the
spoiler in the rear lid. A further effect is that the spoiler and
brake light give further emphasis to the sheer width of the rear
end.
This gives this
outstanding sports car an even lower and wider appearance. And like
on both the BMW 1 Series and the 6 Series, the large BMW logo in the
rear lid also serves as the mechanism for opening the luggage
compartment.
The rear lights were
developed exclusively for this one-off Concept Car. With a little
edge in between, the lights take up the profile of the seam around
the rear lid, blending harmoniously into the tail section of the car
with their particular interpretation of the letter “L” design so
typical of the brand. The powerful-looking, beautifully finished
exhaust tailpipes round off the rear view of the car by adding a
further touch of uncompromising sportiness.
Superior Stance on Exclusive
19-Inch Wheels.
The exceptional body
design of the BMW Z4 Concept Car is matched by the equally
extravagant wheels: Measuring a mighty 19 inches, the tyres run on
8-inch-wide aluminium rims underlining the particularly sporting
calibre of this unique Coupé. In their design – a modern
interpretation of the classic spoke wheel – they have been developed
exclusively for this Concept Car. And in production they benefit
from elaborate casting technology, the three-dimensional structure
of the wheels, together with the deep wheel hump, creating an
impressive look further accentuated by the darker colour in
comparison with the body of the car.
Dynamism for Your Senses: the
Interior.
Giving great attention
to detail, BMW’s colour and trim designers have created a truly
unique interior tailored to the BMW Z4 Coupé in every respect. The
most modern materials in first-class quality are blended with one
another exclusively for this Concept Car, again adding another touch
of uniqueness. As a result, the sophisticated and stylish interior
points far into the future of interior design with all its ongoing
potentials.
Contrasts instead of
compromises ensure ongoing dynamism and tension also inside the Z4
Coupé Concept Car: The choice and combination of materials and
colours blend the technical and sporting exterior of the Z4 Coupé
with soft and harmonious elements inside the car, thus creating an
ambience of genuine peacefulness and tranquillity.
The matt and glossy finish form clear contrasts with one another in
and through the many solid aluminium elements within the car,
extending the high-tech character of the Z4 Coupé visibly into the
interior. At the same time soft, top-quality leather in warm colours
creates an atmosphere of cosiness inside this outstanding driving
machine. Business-like high technology and the feeling of a warm
cocoon – here this is not a contradiction in terms, but rather a
world of harmony.
Interesting Interaction of Bright
and Dark Surfaces.
Black and coloured
surfaces delineate the various function areas from one another.
Through contrasts and brightness within the interior, the driver and
passenger experience a feeling of openness and size – a feeling of
space further reinforced by the colour scheme on the instrument
panel as well as the trim surfaces. In its dark finish, the sill
line harmonises smoothly with the natural, light interior leather,
giving the car’s occupants a superior feeling of safety in their
world of sheer driving pleasure.
The Right Material for Emotions.
By tradition, aluminium
and leather are strong symbols of value, elegance and sporting
performance in the world of motoring. Hardly any other combination
of materials is this authentic in conveying the character and spirit
of a pure sports car – hardly any other combination can match the
flair of cool, metallic aluminium and warm, natural leather creating
so much sensuality in a Coupé exuding so much passion. How many new
surprises and how much diversity leather still offers today as a
perfect product of nature is clearly demonstrated by the choice of
materials and colours for the interior of this BMW Concept Car.
Nubuk – that Fine and Velvety
“Feeling-Great” Leather.
The roof lining is
finished completely in light-brown Nubuk leather. Carefully polished
on the surface, this cowhide with its unique grain pampers your eyes
and your hands through its velvety surface structure giving
particular emphasis to the warmth of the colour chosen for the car
and offering a particularly soft feeling.
Glossy and Woven Leather
reflecting Tradition and Modern Times.
High-quality,
sophisticated glossy leather forms a beautiful contrast to the
velvety Nubuk leather on the roof liner. Just how much attention to
detail has gone into these materials, is borne out clearly by the
decorative seams and the classic, timeless structure of woven
leather, five-millimetre-wide strips of leather woven with one
another in traditional canvas structure with supreme care and
precision. Indeed, in creating and finishing the leather interior,
BMW’s designers, through the beautiful seamwork and finish, once
again confirm the high standard of art and enthusiasm they have
given the BMW Z4 Coupé in every respect.
High-Class Materials based on
Sporting Facts.
A further visual
highlight within the BMW Z4 Coupé Concept Car is the aluminium
pedals comprising black leather inserts as yet a further sign of
artistic quality. This special burr leather is a particularly thick,
robust and high-quality rendition of cowhide.
The floor is carpeted in
a special functionally technical textile in a glossy matt look
perfectly harmonising in its structure with the woven leather found
elsewhere within the interior. Function elements made of burr
leather are also integrated in this special textile – and since the
strong, sturdy and highly resistant leather integrates the function
required directly into the floor cover, there is no need for an
additional protective mat on top.
Various combinations of
high-quality materials are also to be found in the luggage
compartment with the travel baggage directly integrated therein.
Aluminium as an Experience in both
Looks and Touch.
Apart from leather, the
interior is also characterised by polished and brushed aluminium.
Offering a beautiful contrast of matt and glossy surfaces, aluminium
has both a technical touch and acts as a kind of sculpture, clearly
embodying the solidity of the entire car. Three-dimensional rings
around the
circular instruments, the spokes on the steering wheel, the door
openers and compartment openers, the rotary knob for the air
conditioning, the pedals and the loading sill leading into the
luggage compartment are all milled out of one single block of
aluminium. Then, giving utmost attention to detail, BMW’s designers
have gone even further, making each and every element an experience
in looks and touch.
The three-dimensional
rings around the circular instruments are just one example:
High-gloss polished on the front surface, they are brushed around
the outside. Visual and touch-related contrasts of warm and cold are
also to be found in the door handles combining “cold” milled
aluminium trim with
a “warm” Nubuk leather body. The very sporting steering wheel with
its cool aluminium spokes combined with the rim made of high-grip
glossy leather, the aluminium pedals with burr leather inserts, as
well as the trim surfaces on the dashboard combining brushed
aluminium with leather inserts again take up this theme consistently
throughout the car.
The Cockpit –Tailored to the
Driver.
Not only the harmony of
interior materials and colours will make the sports car enthusiast
wax lyrical. Rather, the Z4 Coupé makes a clear pledge to sporting
driving dynamics also in its design and the ergonomic features
inside the car: The entire area around the driver’s cockpit is
tailored to the individual at the wheel, offering authentic values
in every respect. Everything the driver and front passenger touch
feels strong, genuine and unmistakable.
It is an old BMW
tradition for our designers to consistently convert superior
function into an authentic look. Ultimately, this enables the
customer to experience the substance of the car with all of his – or
her – senses, in the process establishing a powerful emotional
relationship to the product.
A Coupé goes to Your Heart.
Every car a purchaser
chooses is always a mixture of rational and emotional motives
varying from one individual to another. A coupé, quite clearly, is
more of an emotional product, the kind of car the customer chooses
with his heart. But usually our common sense once again considers
and analyses even this emotional feeling: Does this coupé really
reflect my feeling of life, my personal style? Does it represent the
values so important to me?
The more authentic a
coupé appears to be when considered from this angle, the greater are
its chances of being picked by the customer as an expression of his
feeling in life.
The typical coupé driver knows that a coupé “only” covers a certain
area of his life, a certain aspect of his mobility requirements. But
precisely this area is particularly important to such a customer:
This is where his dream car must offer everything he wishes to have
without any compromises.
The customer is
therefore willing to make a great commitment and show personal
dedication in expressing and enjoying values such as freedom and
independence. For it is precisely here that he lets so much energy
come out. Energy which to many means driving in sporting style.
A Concept Car with Good Chances
for the Market.
A Coupé like the BMW
Concept Car presented at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show perfectly
reflects all of these demands and expectations made by the
discerning enthusiast. Tailored consistently to the sporting and
ambitious driver, as well as to the spirit of active motoring, the
Z4 Coupé gives the
driver and passenger a direct feeling for the road and sheer driving
pleasure of the highest calibre. At the same time highly developed
drivetrain, suspension and safety technologies bear out the
particular demands of the coupé customer also in technical terms.
And as a sporting two-seater, the BMW Z4 Coupé Concept Car offers
adequate space and all the comfort and convenience even the
enthusiastic sports car driver does not wish to miss today.
