100,000th BMW Z4 Rolls-Off South Carolina Line
BMW launched the more aggressively styled Z4 roadster on October 22, 2002, to replace the fun-loving Z3. Deeply
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| The 100,000th Z4 sits on display at BMW Manufacturing Co. in Spartanburg, S.C. (Photo: PRNewsFoto) |
Like the 7-Series, BMW's flagship sedan that has also come under some scrutiny because of its unorthodox design, the Z4 has sold quite well, especially considering how soft the sports car market is. In just two years more than 100,000 Z4 roadsters have been built at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, also home to the popular X5 sport utility.
This is no doubt an uplifting note for BMW Manufacturing Co. to kick off its 10 year anniversary party with, with the conversation piece being a Phoenix Yellow Z4 sporting an Anthracite leather interior, 18-inch alloy wheels and aluminum silver interior trim, sitting in the lobby of the manufacturing facility. The special Z4 was built on November 8, 2004, especially for a customer in Jena, Germany, a small town near Leipzig.
All Z4s feature one of two inline 6-cylinder engines, the base version being the brand's 184 horsepower 2.5-liter, 24-valve,
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| AutoGauge FMS uses robot-mounted sensors to measure BMW Z4 roadster. (Photo: PRNewsFoto) |
Most likely future Z4s will get the same power upgrades the next-generation 3-Series will receive when it debuts next year as a 2006 model. Again, the 3 will offer the same two engines the Z4 includes in its list of features. Changes to the 2.5-liter unit include a magnesium crankcase and Valvetronic variable valve lift system. The engine now makes 218 horsepower (in European spec) and 184 lb-ft of torque from between 2,750 and 4,250 rpm. The rejuvenated 3.0-liter mill makes 255 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, available between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm.