(January 16, 2019) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Following the unveiling of the all-new BMW Z4 M40i First Edition Roadster at Pebble Beach Lodge to kick-off Monterey car week, BMW unveils the 2019 BMW Z4 sDrive30i Roadster, which will arrive in March, and the 2020 BMW Z4 M40i Roadster, which will follow.

Agility, performance and precise handling have always been top priorities for the Z4 family but the new two-seater’s body, powertrain and chassis have received the greatest amount of development work to make sure the new Z4 Roadster arrives with a genuine sports car performance pedigree.

If the chassis is the legs and muscles of a top performing athlete then the engines are the heart and lungs. The all-new BMW Z4 Roadster has gone through a thoroughly complete training program and features two new powerful TwinPower Turbocharged engines and brand new front and rear suspensions developed specifically for the Roadster.



The rigid body structure, chassis mounting points, along with the intelligent lightweight design and optimized aerodynamic properties deliver the perfect platform to provide the driver with a Roadster capable of tackling the most challenging tracks while at the same time providing increased levels of comfort for top down cruising along the coast.

The new BMW Z4 Roadster has a low-slung, sporty and athletic appearance when viewed from any angle. The proportions have grown in every area over its predecessor: 3.3 inches longer, 2.9 inches wider and 0.5 inches taller. The wheelbase has been shortened by 1.0 inch which, combined with the notably wider tracks (+3.86 inches in front and +2.45 inches in rear) and a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, all contribute to the much enhanced vehicle agility.

To complement the new chassis’ increased capabilities, the new BMW Z4 Roadster arrives in 2019 first with a new, more powerful 2.0 liter four-cylinder TwinPower Turbocharged motor featuring an increase of 15 horsepower and an impressive 35 lb-ft of torque over its predecessor.

The updated BMW engine package include a High Precision Injection system whose maximum pressure has been increased to 350 bar / 5,076 psi. The TwinScroll turbocharged engine under the hood of the new BMW Z4 sDrive30i delivers an output of 255 hp between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm, with peak torque of 295 lb-ft. available from 1,550 up to 4,400 rpm. The result is a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 5.2 seconds.

For those seeking even more exhilarating performance, the all-new 2020 BMW Z4 M40i Roadster’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line engine delivers instantaneous response, an appetite for revs and smoothness while offering an increase of 47 horsepower over its predecessor. The new 6-cylinder engine’s standout features include a water-cooled exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, quicker TwinScroll turbocharger response and direct injection technology which now works at increased maximum pressure of 350 bar / 5,076 psi.

Drivers have 382 horsepower at their disposal between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm, plus 369 lb-ft. of peak torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. The BMW Z4 M40i Roadster sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds.

Both models of the new BMW Z4 Roadster, sDrive30i and M40i, come equipped with a standard eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel. Besides a wider ratio spread, the latest version of the automatic transmission offers even sportier gear shifts. The shorter ratios for the transmission’s lower gears improve acceleration and the unit’s improved internals allow it to operate more efficiently.

The transmission features Launch Control for accelerating hard from a standing start with maximum traction. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission fitted in the BMW Z4 M40i has been configured with M-specific shift characteristics to complement the straight-six engine’s power delivery.

The chassis technology in the new BMW Z4 Roadster has been developed to deliver the best possible agility and handling dynamics, thanks to a newly designed double-joint spring strut suspension at the front and a new five-link suspension in the rear, a first for a BMW Roadster. This chassis combination offers the best balance between sports car handling and ride comfort. The front suspension sub frame and control arm mounting points are extremely rigid, which lends to precise cornering characteristics as well as having a beneficial effect on the drivetrain’s acoustics.

The sports car tuning of the front suspension dynamics aids the new Z4 Roadster’s steering precision. Aluminum control arms and swivel bearings reduce unsprung weight resulting in superior agility and efficiency. The new rear suspension also employs a lightweight aluminum/steel design. The large supporting base and very rigid structure of the rear axle subframe as well as the bracing used for connecting it to the body result in extremely precise wheel guidance.

Another standard feature is the sport steering with variable power assist and ratio. This particular version of the power steering system is designed to promote not just straight-line stability in the new BMW Z4 Roadster, but also provide precise feedback during cornering and effortless low-speed maneuvering.