We’re talking about the 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i, which starts
from US$ 49,700, excluding US$ 995 destination and handling. That means you can get
an all-new Z4 for a little over 50 grand.
For comparison’s sake, the more dated and slightly
less powerful (241 hp) rival from Mercedes-Benz, the 2019 SLC 300 Roadster,
starts at US$ 48,950, excluding destination. As for the 2019 Porsche 718 Boxster,
it starts at US$ 59,000 (excluding US$ 1,050 destination). In fairness, with the
Porsche, you do get more power (300 hp) and the nimble handling of a
mid-engined car.
The Z4 sDrive30i is powered by a 2.0-liter
turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 255 horsepower between 5,000 and
6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. Linked to a
standard eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission that drives the rear
wheels, the engine enables the Z4 sDrive30i to sprint from 0-96
km/h in 5.2 seconds — thanks in part to a standard Launch Control system. The
top speed is 250 km/h.
The 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i comes as standard with the
Sport Line trim level in the United States and offers goodies such as 18-inch
V-spoke orbit grey wheels and satin aluminum exterior trim. Standard features
also include LED headlights, multifunction sports steering wheel, M Sport
seats, Dynamic Cruise Control, and the Live Cockpit Professional instrument
cluster, among other things.
As with any BMW, the list of optional features is quite
long. We’d consider stuff like the M Sport package, Track Handling package (it
comes with M Sport brakes, M Sport differential, and the Adaptive M
suspension), Driving Assistance Package, as well as Vernasca leather
upholstery. U.S. deliveries start in March 2019 for the sDrive30i, with the
M40i variant to follow later.
