The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car that began its life back in 2002 before receiving its second generation in 2008. It is offered in both coupe and roadster forms.
The current model Z4 is powered by a choice of two engines. The first is a 3.0L I-6 producing 255hp and 220 lb-ft of torque, while the second is a 3.0L twin turbo I-6 producing 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, or a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The BMW Z4 GT3’s success on the track illustrates the outstanding mechanics behind a vehicle of its stature. The only problem is, many of us won’t be able to get behind the wheel of the GT3 due to its racing nature. Or at least we thought.
Simraceway is a company that offers FREE, real simulated racing with online competitions, using officially-licensed, exact replicas of existing vehicles. These models are built around a customized version of the isiMotor 2.5 physics engine, but the best part is the price. Each model costs only 1/100,000th of the real vehicle’s price. That means that the previously mentioned Z4 GT3 costs $4.02 - an insignificant amount considering the real car price of more than $400,000. Throw in another $11.95 and you’ll get any add-on car in the iRacing world.
There are over 600 cars to test (many of which have not been released yet) and all of them have been tested with the help of professional race drivers, world-champion sim racers, and the chief instructor of Simraceway Performance Driving Center. Everything from the car’s paint to the engine’s sound will make you think you are behind the wheel of the real thing. We know it isn’t exactly the same thing, but it’s the closest we’re ever going to get to the real thing!
Anabolicar Magazine is one of Germany’s biggest supercar magazines so obviously, they had to have a presence at the just finished 2011 Essen Motor Show. What we didn’t know was that they were bringing a humdinger of a project in the form of a tuned-up BMW Z4.
The show car, which was built specifically for the purpose of displaying it at Essen, comes with plenty of aerodynamic and performance enhancements that compliments the M Package the car already has. The exterior of the Z4 is highlighted by a Green reptile skin finish that was worked on by KK-Cocoon. In addition to that, the Z4 Anabolicar also has a new KW coil-over suspension, an Eisenmann exhaust system, a lowered M-chassis, and a new set of black, 19" OZ Racing alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the modifications for the interior include new M sports seats, a new M steering wheel, and a voice activated navigation system.
Under the hood of the Z4 Anabolicar lies a 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower. All that juice wrapped up in a fancy aesthetic dress results in a sports car that stole the show at the 2011 Essen Motor Show. Then again, we really shouldn’t have expected anything less from one of Germany’s biggest supercar magazines.
BMW has chosen the British market to launch two new models for the Z4 line-up. The new Z4 sDrive20i and Z4 sDrive28i continue a tradition of over 80 years started by the 3/15 PA Wartburg Roadster back in 1930. It was a memorable car thanks to its setback glasshouse and front engine rear-wheel-drive configuration with the two seats positioned close to the rear axle.
The Z4 sDrive20i is powered by a four-cylinder engine with an output of 184 HP and 199 lb-ft of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and can hit a top speed of 146 mph. For the sDrive28i, the total output has been increased to 245 HP. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
The Z4 sDrive20i will be offered in Space Grey metallic paintwork and will be equipped with 17" light alloy Star-spoke style 290 wheels and is priced at £29,480.00 ($40,172 at the current rates). The sDrive28i gets a Black Sapphire metallic paintwork with 18" Star-spoke style 325M light alloy wheels and is priced at £33,645.00 ($45,848 at the current rates).
SR Auto Group impressed us with lots of impressive tuning package lately. If you remember just recently we have reported about the Project Deathbolt and the Project Veneto. And today its time to talk about the Project Flashbang based on the BMW Z4.
The drawing board for Project Flashbang was filled with an abundance of ideas but in the end the tuner decided to go with what felt natural. SR Group is usually a tuner that modifies the least as possible. But with the Z4 they did a little bit more: they have added an AC Schnitzer front aero lip, a new front bumper, a two piece lip spoiler and a rear with a sharper edge.
The package continues with a new set of wheels from Modulare. The B11 model was finished with a gunmetal tint face and gloss black windows. Completing the package was a set of H&R lowering springs.
The Chinese market is well on its way to become the biggest automotive market in the world, so it’s not at all surprising that automakers are sending them special editions by the boatload. BMW sent them the beautiful M3 Tiger Edition last year, and this year they are bringing the special Z4 sDrive23i Flame Edition.
The Flame Edition gets its name from the special desert yellow metallic paint on the exterior. This color was inspired by the Art Karma desert located in the central west coast of South America. Combined with a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels, this paint provides the Z4 with a dynamic and elegant appearance.
The incredible exterior look is highlighted by the elegant touches in the interior. The special BMW Z4 sDrive23i Flame Edition features Alcantara / Nappa leather combined with yellow stitching, a yellow center console, and Alcantara trim for the doors and the center panels. BMW is also offering a personalized version of the piano black trim to provide the Flame Edition with an even cleaner look.
