2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe

(from BMW Press Release)  The BMW Z4 M Coupé is a sports car for very special moments – moments the driver may well experience every kilometre, every mile on the road. Uncompromising, purist, and extremely powerful, this two-seater offers an unparalleled experience of undiluted dynamism both in everyday traffic and on the race track. Without doubt, its prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M power unit developing maximum output of 252 kW/343 hp offers performance of the highest conceivable standard.

Over and above the sheer power of the engine also borne out by maximum torque of 365 Newton-metres or 269 lb-ft, the BMW Z4 M Coupé stands out in particular through its chassis and suspension designed and built to convey enormous power safely and smoothly to the road. Indeed, the unique character of this equally unique sports car is expressed most convincingly by its high standard of agility and spontaneity in responding to all of the driver’s commands.

While obviously being closely related to the BMW Z4 M Roadster, this fixed-roof two-seater goes its own way also in its design and styling. The low and sleek curvature of the roof typical of a coupé and the striking look of the car from the side make this new model unmistakable at first sight.

The BMW Z4 M Coupé is now bringing to life the Concept Car presented by BMW at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show in its most sporting and dynamic rendition. A great wish and sincere hope expressed by many sports car enthusiasts everywhere is therefore now becoming reality faster than expected. Entering the market at the same time as the BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si, the BMW Z4 M Coupé is the most impressive proof of the huge dynamic potential and performance this new model variant is able to offer.

Athletic and authentic – the design of the BMW Z4 M Coupé:

Even at very first sight, the BMW Z4 M Coupé offers a clear impression of the purist diving pleasure this unique car is able to provide. The entire front section of the BMW Z4 M Coupé – like that of the BMW Z4 M Roadster – emanates a thrilling sense of power and forward-urging dynamism. This impression is accentuated above all by the powerful-looking front air dam with its distinct x-shaped lines and openings, the large air intake scoops in the engine compartment lid, the deeply embedded radiator kidney grille, and the two striking precision lines running along the car.

Seen from the side, the design of this two-door sports machine with its sleek roof extending down to the rear in typical coupé style and the “Hofmeister kick” characteristic of all BMW models, looks particularly dynamic and powerful.

This characteristic appearance is further accentuated by the passenger cell moved far to the rear and the lowered contour of the roof in the middle. Ultimately, therefore, both the lines of the car and its proportions convey the same convincing message: the BMW Z4 M Coupé is low, dynamic, and fast.

The BMW Z4 M Coupé is also unmistakable, dynamic and full of character from behind: The passenger compartment merges dynamically into the rear end of the car, giving the rear wheel arches a particularly powerful and muscular look. The horizontal diffuser as well as the chrome-plated twin tailpipes positioned far to the outside add a particularly striking touch. The luggage compartment offers up to 300 litres or 10.5 cubic feet capacity, giving the BMW Z4 M Coupé very generous and easily accessible space for a sports car.

High-speed power unit for incomparable performance:

BMW’s new two-seater is powered by the same prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M engine also featured in the BMW M3 and the BMW Z4 Roadster. The engine’s performance figures are indeed impressive at very first sight: 3,246 cc displacement, 252 kW/343 hp maximum output at an engine speed of 7,900 rpm, maximum engine speed of 8,000 rpm. And no less than 80 per cent of the engine’s maximum torque of 365 Newton-metres or 269 lb-ft is available at the driver’s request from just 2,000 rpm.

Output per litre is 77.8kW or 106 hp, giving the BMW Z4 M Coupé a power-to-weight ratio of just 5.6 kilos or 7.6 lb/kW. Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 5.0 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

The pleasure of shifting gears six times over:

The concept of a high-speed engine is particularly impressive whenever the torque available is converted into optimum thrust and power on the road by a short overall transmission ratio. And precisely this is what the BMW Z4 M Coupé has to offer, with its six-speed manual gearbox laid out for optimum performance throughout the engine’s entire gearshift and speed range. Short gearshift travel, precise action of the shift lever, and close increments between the six gears – these are the typical features of this outstanding transmission.

Optimum conditions for perfect suspension:

The superior engine and drivetrain of the BMW Z4 M Coupé are matched by an equally superior high-performance suspension. In its basic concept, the suspension is identical to that of the BMW Z4 M Roadster, but has nevertheless been geared specifically to the particular requirements of the fixed-head model. Just how perfectly all the car’s components harmonise with one another is clearly proven by the BMW Z4 M Coupé on the Nordschleife, the Northern Circuit of Nürburgring, where the Z4 M Coupé outperforms the lap times of even the BMW M3 and the BMW Z4 M Roadster.

The chassis and suspension of the BMW Z4 M Coupé is identical in many respects to the chassis and suspension of the BMW M3, with a wide range of shared components. One example is the M differential lock on the rear axle, while the highly effective 18-inch compound brake system comes straight from the BMW M3 CSL. BMW’s DSC Dynamic Stability Control, in turn, supplements the suspension with its significant safety reserves whenever the going gets critical.

Wheels in exclusive design:

Offering a particularly light but dynamic look, the exclusive double-spoke aluminium rims allow the beholder to fully admire the 18-inch disc brakes, thus emphasising the high-performance character of this very special two-seater. The high-performance 225/45 ZR18 tyres at the front and 255/40 ZR18 tyres at the rear offer an ideal match for the exceptional power and dynamism of the car.

The body: light and strong all in one:

The safe and dynamic driving qualities of the BMW Z4 M Coupé are also attributable to the extremely strong, torsionally and flexurally stiff structure of the body. With torsional stiffness of 32,000 Nm/o, the body of this new model sets the standard in its segment, offering both driver and passenger passive safety of the very best: Benefiting from perfect interaction of the body and safety systems, the car’s occupants enjoy perfect protection in virtually any kind of accident.

The interior: concentrating on sports motoring:

The interior of the BMW Z4 M Coupé combines a modern ambience in sporting and purist look with a supreme standard of sophisticated style, design and function all coming together in one harmonious concept. The cockpit is tailored consistently to the driver, with all controls and instruments placed perfectly on or around the steering wheel for supreme ergonomics. Multi-function buttons featured as standard help the driver concentrate on the essential, operating the telephone or audio system at the touch of a finger, without having to take his hand off the steering wheel.

The M sports seat offers perfect body support and gives the driver reliable feedback at all times. The M leather steering wheel with perfect grip, in turn, features a strong rim profile and thumb contours for secure grip and precise handling at all times. The speedometer and rev counter naturally come with red needles in the typical style of BMW M. Another highlight of the M models is the variable engine speed pre-warning field in the rev counter, the yellow pre-warning and red warning field limiting the engine speed allowed in each case as a function of current engine oil temperature. So with the temperature of the engine oil increasing, the engine is able to rev faster and move up to a higher speed range. And last but certainly not least, the BMW Z4 M Coupé stands out from the BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si also in the design of the gearshift lever knob, the door cutout trim strips, the air conditioning and fresh air nozzles finished in galvanic alloy-treated pearl gloss chrome, as well as the door openers and closing handles.

Colours and design variants:

A selection of four leather colours, two choices of soft nappa leather varying in its degree of finish, as well as three exclusive trim variants ensure supreme style and individual freedom within the passenger compartment. Three exclusive M paintwork colours and five additional exterior colour options enable the customer to give his – or her – BMW Z4 M Coupé a very personal touch.

Wide range of standard equipment:

The BMW Z4 M Coupé comes with static bi-xenon headlights for optimum high- and low-beam quality ensuring perfect visibility under all conditions. Two light rings in the headlights, in turn, provide that typical look so characteristic of BMW. Another standard feature is the two-stage Brake Force Display significantly enhancing traffic safety whenever required: With the driver braking hard or with the ABS anti-lock brakes intervening, the area covered by the rear lights is enlarged accordingly.

Further standard features include automatic air conditioning, a CD radio, an on-board computer, sports seats in leather, a multifunction steering wheel, as well as a tyre pressure warning system.

Optional: top-end HiFi systems:

As an alternative to the “regular” sound system, two HiFi systems available as an option ensure truly excellent brilliance and performance at all times. The high-end Professional system even uses the most advanced Carver technology able to generate enormous sound pressure by combining the volume of the right and left subwoofers.

Two navigation systems with DVD memory as an option:

The Business navigation system integrated in the instrument panel uses a DVD comprising geographic data for the whole of Europe. A further highlight is that this system also enables the driver to operate the on-board computer, radio and telephone from the same control panel.

The Professional navigation system, in turn, comes with a 16 : 9 colour monitor adjustable or folding in entirely either electrically or by hand. And the use of innovative film technology on the surface of the screen makes the display clear and easy to read under all light conditions.