To each side of the trunk, there are two storage boxes which, at 3.7 litres (0.1 cu-ft) each, provide for, say, several packages of golf balls. Ten extra litres (0.4 cu-ft) of space can also be found in the rear bulkhead, behind the front two seats. Add it all up, and it makes for a marginally better sounding 357.4 litres (12.6 cu-ft). Unfortunately, the conversion to coupe hasn't increased the size of the Z4's fuel tank - it still holds a mere 55 litres (12.1 gallons - 14.6 gallons US), which is economy-car sized.
Unlike the roadster, the Z4 Coupe is available with only one
engine. Demand for this more driver-oriented vehicle dictated that BMW equip it with its most powerful (non-M) six cylinder motor, the magnesium-intensive 'R6' powerplant, which is used in everything from the 1-Series to the 6-Series. In the Z4, it makes 255-horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to launch it to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, and be fast enough to warrant BMW electronically limiting the top speed to 250 km/h (155 mph). Like the roadster that also utilizes the new high-output motor, the car will be badged the 3.0si, despite the fact that there will be no 215-hp 3.0i model. With this engine, buyers have the choice between a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic with paddle-shift manual mode.
If you're sitting here trying to recall the last time you saw a Z3 Coupe, you'll have a difficult time being that they were very rare. In fact, in the three years the car was in production (1999-2001), I've never managed to see one in person. If you did see one, you've spotted an oddity, or, more likely, the M-Coupe, the very fast variant, tuned by BMW's M-Motorsport division, a car that in its final days made 315-horsepower. BMW isn't about to let the reputation it quickly built with the M-Coupe (i.e. flying clown's shoe) wash down the drain, not particularly with such a good sports car on its hands, so it's gone and developed the M-Coupe, version 2.0.
As
with the M-Roadster, which debuted just a few weeks ago at Detroit, the Coupe gets the same 3.2-litre inline-six developed by the geniuses at the M-Division, initially for the M3. It makes 330-horsepower just 100 rpm off its 8,000 rpm redline, and 262 lb-ft of torque of which 80 percent is accessible from a very reasonable 2,000 rpm. This engine gives the M-Coupe enough grunt to shave 0.7 seconds off the Z4 Coupe's time, while matching its top (electronically limited) speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). While it may not surprise you to find out that the M-Coupe is faster around the world famous Nurburgring Circuit than the M-Roadster, it's also quicker than the 80 kg (176.4 lb) heavier M3 (though by how much, has been left out of the press information).
So what makes the M-Coupe such a potent vehicle on the road and on the track? For one, it's a more rigid vehicle than the roadster, thanks to its fixed roof. And, despite the addition of all that extra metal and glass, it's a mere 5 kilograms (11 lbs) heavier, resulting in very little trade off. Add this to the changes that were implemented to the M-Roadster, the M3's very clever electronic locking differential and the braking system from the ultra-high performance M3 CSL, and it becomes very clear that BMW is serious about taking the title back from Porsche. Visually, the car speaks to its sportiness through an M-Bodykit with X-shaped valances, flared
arches, and gigantic 225/45 ZR 18 wheels and tires up front and 245/45 ZR 18 wheels and tires in back.
After its world debut in Geneva in March, the new Z4 Coupe will be committed to production at the brand's Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility in April, with the first deliveries starting this August. Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect it to be a few thousand dollars more expensive than the open-topped roadster. While the entire Z4 Coupe range will be offered in the US, Canadians will only be able to purchase the M-Coupe variant.
Unlike the roadster, the Z4 Coupe is available with only one
 |
| The M3's engine, M3's brakes, M3's trick rear diff, M3 CSL's brakes... without 80 kg of extra M3. That's the power of the new M-Coupe. (Photo: BMW Canada) |
If you're sitting here trying to recall the last time you saw a Z3 Coupe, you'll have a difficult time being that they were very rare. In fact, in the three years the car was in production (1999-2001), I've never managed to see one in person. If you did see one, you've spotted an oddity, or, more likely, the M-Coupe, the very fast variant, tuned by BMW's M-Motorsport division, a car that in its final days made 315-horsepower. BMW isn't about to let the reputation it quickly built with the M-Coupe (i.e. flying clown's shoe) wash down the drain, not particularly with such a good sports car on its hands, so it's gone and developed the M-Coupe, version 2.0.
As
 |
| Both the 3.0si and M-Coupe reach 250 km/h top speeds. The 3.0si hits 100 km/h in 5.7 s, while the M-Coupe does it in five flat. (Photo: BMW Canada) |
So what makes the M-Coupe such a potent vehicle on the road and on the track? For one, it's a more rigid vehicle than the roadster, thanks to its fixed roof. And, despite the addition of all that extra metal and glass, it's a mere 5 kilograms (11 lbs) heavier, resulting in very little trade off. Add this to the changes that were implemented to the M-Roadster, the M3's very clever electronic locking differential and the braking system from the ultra-high performance M3 CSL, and it becomes very clear that BMW is serious about taking the title back from Porsche. Visually, the car speaks to its sportiness through an M-Bodykit with X-shaped valances, flared
 |
| BMW claims that this coupe can lap the Nurburgring in less time than the M3. That's very good news. (Photo: BMW Canada) |
After its world debut in Geneva in March, the new Z4 Coupe will be committed to production at the brand's Spartanburg, South Carolina manufacturing facility in April, with the first deliveries starting this August. Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect it to be a few thousand dollars more expensive than the open-topped roadster. While the entire Z4 Coupe range will be offered in the US, Canadians will only be able to purchase the M-Coupe variant.