Super TestCar reviews - BMW - Z4 - sDrive20i and sDrive28iBMW modelsResearch BMW OverviewImpressive new four-pot transforms BMW’s Z4 into a frugal fun machine21 Dec 2011 IT HAS taken more than two years, but criticism levelled at BMW’s folding hard-top Z4 when it was launched in Australia in 2009 has finally been addressed, with weight, price and fuel savings coming in the shape of a new downsized N20 four-cylinder engine. In addition to saving weight by reducing the cylinder count, the high-tech 2.0-litre unit employs twin-scroll turbocharging, direct fuel injection, sophisticated valve control and EfficientDynamics features such as idle-stop and regenerative braking, meaning six-cylinder performance is achieved without sacrificing four-cylinder efficiency. BMW has also acted to squeeze out the engine’s maximum potential by offering it with ZF’s wonderful eight-speed automatic transmission for customers who cannot abide the six-speed manual. Those measures combine to earn the Z4 a sizeable luxury car tax saving, and BMW is offering the engine in 135kW or 180kW tune, respectively replacing the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre six-cylinder units. Z4 sales have struggled this year, but things are now looking good for BMW’s re-priced and fully-turbocharged roadster line-up, which is now more competitive against the recently-redesigned Mercedes-Benz SLK. The new engine looks good on paper and the new pricing should give Benz something to think about but can a force-fed four-pot offer the same top-down thrills as the Bavarian brand’s evocative six? Model release date: 1 November 2011 to 1 July 2013 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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