- The ’23 Z4 gets a slightly more aggressive look in this mid-third-generation refresh.
- Sport body cladding, which was already standard on the M40i, has now been added to the sDrive 30i.
The roadster category has been shrinking over the years, but a few convertibles remain. The BMW Z4 is an example of this and has just started its third model generation (the fourth if you count the Z3). Surprisingly, it is already due for an update, albeit not as mid-cycle refresh as you might expect.
We love the Z4 because it’s a real sports car, and we think Toyota played a big role in that. This was a joint project between BMW and Toyota, with both companies contributing to the design of both the Z4 and the Supra. We understand that BMW was satisfied with the roadster and thus improving on the qualities of its predecessor, while Toyota had set its sights on surpassing Porsche.
The project only began when Herbert Diess left BMW for Volkswagen; he was eager to develop a hybrid with Toyota, but the Japanese were focused on a more traditional approach. The result was two outstanding cars – the Z4 and the Supra – each unique in its own way.
Two blocks
In Europe, the Z4 is available as the sDrive 20i with a 194-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission, but in the United States, the range begins with a more powerful version of the same four-cylinder, the sDrive 30i with 255 hp. A second model, named M40i and powered by a 382-hp six-cylinder engine, completes the range. Both engines are mated to the ZF 8 hp automatic transmission with torque converter.
The press release boasts that the “new maximum of sportiness” can be achieved by fitting the sDrive 30i with the optional M Sport body cladding. The more chiseled and aggressive look will no doubt please those who always seek attention, although we never had a problem with the cleaner look of what was known as “Classic BMW Design.” The M40i comes with mirror caps in bronzy Cerium Gray and larger, angular exhaust tips so that those familiar with the models can tell them apart.
There are also some minor changes to the nose: both variants get a restyled grille that loses the vertically placed dots in favor of a horizontally oriented decor meant to “reinforce the impression of width at the front.” Three “rich” new metallic colors, a new optional 19-inch wheel design and optional black trim for the headlights complete the rather modest list of changes, which thankfully does not include the rounded dashboard of BMW’s electric SUV, iX.
The new model year starts in November and prices start at a very reasonable €65,541.00 for the sDrive 20i. However, those looking for a bit more power can opt for the M40i model, which starts at €91,300.00 – just a few hundred euros more than last year’s models. We love that the Z4 remains in production and sincerely hope it continues to do so for many years to come! These mild improvements should give the market a big boost until we see more substantial changes in a few years.
And if we could make one request of BMW…. we would ask that they consider making a manual transmission available for their six-cylinder, like the Supra does, because who wouldn’t want even more control?
