To Z is to believe

It’s so beautiful to behold that it deserves a haloed spot in an owner’s climate-controlled living room. It’s the sort of shape that can make a grown man’s eyes well up with tears of joy while running one’s hands over its sculptured flanks, or burst into tears out of frustration at not having three million bucks and change to purchase one. In fact, word has it that the unit put on display in Cebu was held by Customs for awhile because it looked so good (there were also some minor problems with the documents) that they mistook it for a hot car.

Such is life that the newest roadster from BMW will most likely have every millionaire in the country fishing out their checkbooks for one while everyone else must content themselves with more pedestrian means of transportation. Continuing the aggressive long hood-compact cockpit styling first set by the Z3 and Z8 several years ago, the Z4’s body combines new-tech cues with retro touches.

The lower waistline extends from the engine compartment lid across the door, first moving down and then up again towards the rear for a classic roadster look. The upper waistline, meanwhile, extends in an arch from the compartment lid all the way to the rear. The door line also extends upwards to the rear at a slight angle. The Z4’s surfaces are also characterized by edges, rounded-off lines and concave areas that give it exceptional surface contours, shadows, and reflections. Even the turn-signal indicators on the front fenders are a work of art. They’re built around the BMW logo, illuminating it every time they blink.

The car is also the first open-air BMW to feature a folding roof with the "Z" design. This system takes up very little space and allows the front most part of the roof to extend like a cover over the soft top, merging flush with the body of the car. As a result, it requires neither a tonneau cover nor a roof lid like other convertibles. The soft top can also be ordered as a fully automatic operation.

The cockpit is minimalist as any roadster should be, but still undeniably hi-tech. Long doors with low entry cutouts make for easy ingress while continuing the exterior’s flowing lines. The height-adjustable headrests feature a new kind of absorption foam that reduces the risk of injury in a collision from behind. The instrument panel is curved from the inside while the center console is shaped like a letter "T" facing towards the dashboard. Dominating the dash are the speedometer and tachometer. In homage to roadsters of the past, the tube-like gauge pods prevent any reflection of the instruments on the windshield. LCD displays for the fuel gauge, water temp, and on-board computer are integrated in the speedometer and tachometer.

Seats and various other components are finished in Oregon Leather, door panels are made of high quality synthetic materials, with the upper quarterlight sections in leatherette or real leather. The instrument panel and center console feature painted plastic deco trim.

BMW Philippines is offering the Z4 with the 2.5-liter, 24-valve inline-6 that also propels the 525i and 325i sedans. The engine features infinitely variable bi-VANOS, all-electronic throttle, four-valve technology, adaptive knock control, and individual coils. Developing 192 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 245 Newton-meters of torque at 3,500 rpm, the straight-6 with the manual transmission is good for a 7-second 0-100 kph sprint and a top speed of 235 km/h. Transmission choices are either a 5-speed Getrag manual or a 5-speed automatic.

The car has a very wide track, a low center of gravity, and low unsprung weight of approximately 20% of the car’s overall weight. Suspension is composed of a single-joint spring-strut axle with anti-dive and anti-roll bars up front. At the back is an independent, centrally guided axle in back with separate springs, dampers, anti-squat, anti-dive, and anti-roll bars. Brakes are vented disks front and back, and the car rolls on 17 inch wheels.

Standard on the Z4 are Dynamic Stability Control III, Dynamic Traction Control, Antilock Braking System, and Cornering Brake Control. Under extreme conditions, the car will apply the brakes as required on individual wheels and throttle back on the gas to maintain the intended line through corners.

Other standard features include automatic seat adjustment, a roll-bar protection system, front and side airbags, fog lamps, xenon headlamps, automatic aircon, a high fidelity stereo system, 6-disc CD changer, alarm system, and a hard top preparation kit. Don’t forget the cupholders and "Smoker’s Package", of course. Priced at P3.1M for the manual and P3.2M for the automatic, the Z4 is not the most expensive BMW in the lineup (that would be the P11.5M 745Li with the rear TV). But with its killer looks, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a priceless work of art.