2008 BMW Z4

NEW FOR 2008:

- Z4 3.0i discontinued

- Z4 3.0si receives all-new 17-inch Turbine Spoke alloy wheels; fully-automatic soft top, heated seats and Chrome Line interior are removed as standard equipment and integrated into option packages

- Optional M Roadster and Coupe Premium Package adds BMW Assist with Bluetooth wireless technology and deletes THX Certified HiFi Sound System

For 2008, the Z4 line-up slims down, with the deletion of the 215-horsepower 3.0i. As a result, the 3.0si receives a realignment of its standard and optional features. The M Roadster and Coupe are unchanged save for features on its optional Premium Package.

The Z4 3.0si uses a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic with manual shift mode. Both the M Roadster and Coupe use a 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder with six-speed manual.

Features on the 3.0si include 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electromechanical power steering, manual soft top with heated rear glass window, multi-function leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, automatic Xenon headlamps, cruise control, fog lamps, heated mirrors, six-way manually-adjustable leather sport seats, speed-sensitive rain-sensing wipers with heated washer jets, knee airbags, rollover protection bars, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input, and pre-wiring for alarm system.

The M models add 18-inch alloy wheels, hydraulic power steering, automatic climate control, cross-drilled brake rotors, M-specific bumpers and heated leather M Sport seats.

The Z4 is the quintessential sports car: responsive, sharp-handling, strongly powered and with a short-throw gearshift that falls perfectly to hand. The M ups the content with an even more powerful engine, hydraulic steering, and for those who like all-weather protection, the option of a hard roof. That model is a tight fit for taller drivers, but once you're inside, the only thing you'll notice is the road.