2007 BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 family, which includes the M Roadster and new M Coupe, receives some updates for 2007.

The Z4 roadster receives an auxiliary audio jack as standard equipment, and the optional Sport Package on the 3.0i includes new 18-inch star spoke alloy wheels. The M Roadster is unchanged for 2007. The new M Coupe shares the roadster’s powertrain, but offers a fixed roof.

The Z4 uses a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder, which makes 215 hp in the 3.0i, and 255 hp in the 3.0si. Both use a six-speed manual that can be optioned to a six-speed automatic with Steptronic manual mode.

The M Roadster and Coupe use a 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder that makes 330 hp, mated strictly to a six-speed manual.

Features on the Z4 3.0i include 17-inch alloy wheels, six-way manually-adjustable seats, air conditioning, cruise control, telescopic steering wheel, “leatherette” upholstery, automatic Xenon headlamps, fog lamps, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets, tire pressure warning system, side thorax and knee airbags, and rollover protection bars. The 3.0si adds leather upholstery and fully automatic top.

The M Roadster and Coupe add M-specific 18-inch wheels, six-way manually-adjustable heated leather M sport seats, and automatic climate control.

The Z4 is quintessential sports car driving: it’s responsive, its wide powerband means you don’t have to constantly rev it to the limit to have fun, and the seating position is well-suited for most drivers, with the gearshift right where it should be.

The M models up the fun content, with zero-to-100 km/h acceleration in 5.0 seconds, on the way to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. The hydraulic steering is twitchy, but that’s all part of the experience: you don’t sit back in this car, you actually drive it. The M Coupe is a tight fit for taller drivers, but something had to do battle with the Porsche Cayman, and once you’re inside, you’re only going to be concentrating on whatever’s in front of the headlights.