After several years left on the shelf to rot, the Z4 nameplate is making its comeback. Official details are still trickling out, but now we’ve got a sneak peek at the goods thanks to a number of documents that just leaked online.
Which Roadster To Rule Them All?
This latest info on the 2020 BMW Z4 was just leaked in a thread posted to the enthusiast forum SupraMKV.com. It appears to show a number of dealer documents, which list off the Z4’s various standard features.
Critically, the leaked document also includes the Z4’s MSRP, which starts at $64,695, landing it just under the M3’s price tag of $67,495 in the Bavarians’ lineup.
Even more importantly, that figure puts it squarely in the sights of another German open-top roadster, namely the Porsche 718 Boxster, which starts at $59,000 for the standard model and $71,400 for the go-faster S variant. That makes the base model Porsche more than five grand cheaper than the equivalent model from BMW.
BMW Versus Porsche
Let’s start with the Z4. As confirmed in the leaked documents, the Z4 draws motivation from a front-mounted, turbocharged, 24-valve, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder gas engine producing 382 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear axle by way of an eight-speed automatic transmission, with Adaptive Transmission Control and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters rounding out the drivetrain. With this setup, we’d expect a run to 60 mph in the low- to mid-four second range.
Further details include BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control system, with modes like Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ onboard to adjust the suspension, steering, engine, and transmission settings as needed for the given situation.
The document also lists the Z4 with upgraded hard and electrical bits:
-* M Sport Brakes
-* M Sport Differential
-* Adaptive M Suspension
-* Variable Sport Steering
-* Dynamic Stability Control
-* Brake Fade Compensation
-* Start-off Assistant
-* Brake Drying
-* Dynamic Traction Control.
Eighteen-inch wheels are equipped as standard. Optional equipment includes 19-inch wheels, the Driving Assistance Package and the Executive Package.
Now let’s dive into the specs for the Porsche 718 Boxster. Making the go is a mid-mounted, turbocharged, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine producing 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the S bumps up displacement to 2.5 liters, concurrently raising output to 350 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque.
Transmission options include both a six-speed manual and a seven-speed PDK automatic, the latter of which renders the quickest acceleration times. Properly motivated (and rocking the optional Sport Chrono package to boot), the fastest 718 will hit 60 mph in 4 seconds flat, while the fastest base model 718 will do the same run in 4.5 seconds.
Stopping power includes 330 mm (13-inch) brakes in front and 299 mm (11.8-inch) brakes in the rear. A variable Electromechanical power steering system turns it all, while the Porsche Stability Management system helps to keep it shiny side up, as do the adaptive dampers and optional torque-vectoring differential.
Final Thoughts
On paper, the Z4 and Boxster look somewhat evenly matched, at least when similarly priced out and on equal footing in terms of equipment.
That’s not to say the Z4 isn’t fast or fun to drive - rather, its front-engine drivetrain layout and chassis tuning is most likely more even-handed in its balance between speed and backside coddling.
Beyond the Porsche vs. BMW battle, the newly leaked document also raises questions over how Toyota will price out the Supra, with a rumored tag of $40,000 looking mighty cheap compared to the $65,000 BMW. Granted, the Toyota won’t be nearly as luxurious in the cabin, and it won’t carry the same badge weight either, but still, smart buyers will probably want to hold out to see what Toyota can offer by comparison.
Further Reading
Read our full review on the 2019 BMW Z4.
Read our full review of the 2017 BMW Concept Z4.
Read our driven review on the previous BMW Z4.
Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder.
Read our full review on the 2019 Toyota Supra.