The BMW Z4 will soon get a new range topping variant. Previewed ahead of the 2010 Detroit show where it will make its world debut, the Z4 sDrive35is will not be the “new Z4 M” fans of the previous generation are praying for (BMW ruled that out from the beginning), even if it’s a more focused performance car than the current sDrive35i.
Using the same N54B30 engine as the 35i, the extra ‘s’ at the end of that confusing name brings increased air intake flow and higher boost pressure to the twin-turbo engine. Power is bumped to 335 bhp from 306 bhp and peak torque is up by 50 Nm to make 450 Nm delivered from 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm. An overboost function gives additional 50 Nm spurts under full load so we’re essentially looking at 500 Newton metres of twist! As a result, the Z4 sDrive35is sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is of course electronically limited to 250 km/h. Accompanying the extra poke is a deeper voice with a focus on the low frequency sound range, says BMW.
Some have lamented the softer character of the E89 Z4, and BMW is keen to respond with the 35is, which gets M Sport upgrades. The adaptive M Suspension combines a 10mm lower ride height with electronically controlled shock absorbers for improved agility without compromising ride comfort. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) meanwhile features “very sporty” programming with feedback as the main priority.
The range topper gets special 18-inch five-spoke wheels as standard. It is further distinguished by a matte aluminum bar in the air intakes and a rear diffuser painted in black. Inside, the sDrive35is sports a thick M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, carbonfibre weave aluminum trim, sport seats and lots of M badges. And in case you forget what you’re driving, BMW spells out “sDrive35is” on the grey-faced dials.
More pictures after the jump.
Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.
1st.. lol.. i'm not really into this..
tsk.. tsk.. tsk…. tax … tax… tax… tax… tax… tax…. tax…. tax… tax..
Its a chic magnet, but in m'sia with the tax is so high, u could only get 1 later in life. so… its a '2nd-wife fishing rod' instead…
interesting, but does it have a limited-slip differential ? optional will do, but does it exist at all ?
awesome..i really like this new z4…when bmw launched the E85 z4..i was wondering how on earth can bmw make it better and they did…
i wish they made a Short Film to promote this car, just like they did a superb Short Film with the old Z4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEAkTbADjys
FIRST!!
Nice car…
Brilliant monstrous drive! wonder what's the going rate in malaysia, if it does reach our shores!
nice..
the discs are the same size as my rims!!
any manual trans?
nice car…almost a Z4M
chick status…
i prefer Merc SLK
ooo hard top…
the body colour and the grill colour is similar with concept R.E.D saga…
This is Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!
Wow,this is gonna cost around RM550k -RM 600k in M'sia..
Tell BMW (especially Hoodynk), he got no design idea! How come BMW copy those squarish side front bumper design started by (a budget) Camry??? Shame… lame…
what a beautiful machine!