I\u2019ve read a lot about how this new BMW Z4 has been dynamically transformed from its predecessor, so much so I thought it might do what no previous Z-car had managed to do, i.e. provide serious opposition to a Porsche Boxster. Based on this, fat chance.<\/p>\n
OK, this entry level 194bhp Z4 is both cheaper and a lot less powerful than any Boxster, so it would be unfair to hope it might rival one in a straight line. But with a shorter wheelbase and a (much) wider track than the old Z4 as well as new aluminium-intensive suspension, I really thought it could be quite something in the corners.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not. It\u2019s very composed, always goes where you expect and is in all ways an entirely pleasant thing to drive. But laugh-out-loud fun? Not even close, I\u2019m afraid \u2013 it\u2019s a faint smile playing on the lips at best.<\/p>\n
The Z4 is not short of strengths. It\u2019s very comfortable and quiet with the roof up. Wind management with the roof down is good too. There\u2019s quite a big boot and a quality interior, though I\u2019m still not used to BMW\u2019s new instrument architecture.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s nothing here to stir you, and there should be, even in an entry-level car. It\u2019s odd because BMW has recently climbed right back on top of its game as the 3, 5 and 7-series all show. An all-new Z4 was an opportunity to create a BMW sports cars for real drivers. Sadly it hasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Andrew Frankel<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n <\/b>Price <\/b>\u00a336,990<\/span>
\nBMW Z4 sDrive 20i Sport<\/h2>\n
\nEngine <\/b>2.0 litres, 4 cylinders, turbo<\/span>
\nPower <\/b>194bhp@4500rpm<\/span>
\nWeight <\/b>1405kg<\/span>
\nPower to weight <\/b>138bhp<\/span>\u00a0per tonne
\nTransmission <\/b>eight-speed auto, rear-wheel drive<\/span>
\n0-60mph <\/b>6.6sec<\/span>
\nTop speed <\/b>149mph<\/span>
\nEconomy <\/b>39.8<\/span>mpg
\nCO\u2082\u00a0<\/b>138g\/km<\/span>
\nVerdict <\/b>Capable, but dull<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":743,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","categories":[],"tags":[],"issue_decade":[121600],"issue_year":[121825],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue_content\/610892"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue_content"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/issue_content"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/743"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=610892"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue_content\/610892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":621539,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue_content\/610892\/revisions\/621539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=610892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=610892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=610892"},{"taxonomy":"issue_decade","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue_decade?post=610892"},{"taxonomy":"issue_year","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorsportmagazine.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issue_year?post=610892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}