Long-time BMW know-it-alls are well aware of the power of the lowercase "s" when ends up in the name of their favorite models, and now the Z4 roadster gets a second one: The 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is debuts next month at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
That second little "s" takes the Z4 closer to being an M roadster without actually crossing that line. BMW's N54 direct-injected, twin-turbocharged inline-6 remains in the 2011 Z4 sDrive35is, but engineers have increased airflow while simultaneously cranking up boost pressure. As such, the engine graduates from the 300/300 horsepower/torque club to 335 hp at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque from 1,500-4,500 rpm. And on the overboost, torque rises to 369 lb-ft, according to BMW.
With BMW's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox driving the rear wheels, the car should be good for a 4.7-second 0-to-60-mph run, according to BMW. Assuming the gearbox's launch control feature is able to keep wheelspin at bay out of the hole, the Z4 sDrive35is should be a few tenths quicker than the Z4 sDrive35i, which we've timed at 5.2 (4.9 with rollout) seconds to 60. And, no, you can't have the conventional six-speed manual gearbox on the Z4 sDrive35si, apparently. Top speed is still limited to 155 mph.
For your aural pleasure, the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is exhaust has special baffles and mufflers so that it may deliver "a deep rumble with a focus on the low frequency sound range" to counter your neighbor kid's modified WRX.
We've noted that the Z4 sDrive 35i is a less frenetic car to back roads than its earlier Z4 (and Z3) predecessors) with a predictible, stable character that makes it easy to build up to a quick pace. However, we hope we're reading BMW right in guessing that company engineers tried to go a little edgier with the chassis calibrations for the sDrive35is. Notably, the electric power steering system is reprogrammed to "provide intense and clear steering feedback."
In addition, the M adaptive suspension has been dropped 0.4 inch and "light" 18-inch alloys have been fitted. Similarly "light" 19s are available as an option.
Matte aluminum trim graces the front fascia, and a body-color rear diffuser lets others know you have the best of the Z4s. Inside the 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is, there's a fat-rimmed M steering wheel, and Kansas Walnut (um, brown?) leather is a new choice for those who wish to be fashionable.
cjasis says:
06:11 PM, 12/12/09
Holy moses that's a long name for a car....
lid777 says:
06:23 PM, 12/12/09
They put an M on the steering wheel but called it Z4 sDrive35is?
questionlp says:
07:41 PM, 12/12/09
BMW lost me on the Z4 when they canned the coupe and made it only in a hard-top convertible. The lack of the manual transmission in this model doesn't help me either.
I also find BMW's recent change in M-badging strategy quite silly, not producing a true Z4M yet release X5M and X6M.
clarkma5 says:
08:20 PM, 12/12/09
Definitely a contender for the dumbest car name of the year...
I like the way this car looks, but I could never pay my good money for it (assuming I had it). For starters, I find the turbo 3.0 to be kinda dull, and I don't think more power is necessarily going to be the answer for it (it's still going to have a torque curve flatter than kansas...where's the fun in that?) and then there's the fact that I really hate hardtop convertibles...the only exception I've seen being the MX-5 PRHT, but even then I'd rather have the standard softtop.
bimmerjay says:
01:47 AM, 12/13/09
@lid777,
"They put an M on the steering wheel but called it Z4 sDrive35is?"
Most BMW models offer an M Sport option that provides M wheels, steering wheel, shifter, and a few other bits, like this 35is model. It's a far cry from an actual M trim level which is substantially modified from the roof to the wheels.
I like this new model but I'm offended by the lack of a 6MT - very surprising. And BMW needs to drop the stupid "sDrive" naming convention.
Mitlov says:
02:09 AM, 12/13/09
I like how it's been retuned to make just barely more power than the 3.7L VQ and Audi's supercharged 3.0L V6. Got to one-up the competition, even if the hp advantage can be counted on one hand.
clarkma5, maybe (hopefully?) however they retuned the engine to get an extra 12% of horsepower out of it also may have given it a noticeable surge in the powerband. That's definitely something I notice when running my 1.8T at REVO stage 1 versus stock--not only is there more power the REVO way, but there's a much more noticeable surge of power at around 3000 rpm.
sgude says:
05:42 AM, 12/13/09
I am worried about the direction BMW is taking, and not just with its ridiculous badging. On that point, what was wrong with giving its "sport" models the "s" or "is" suffix? For instance, why is the 335i with sport package not the "330is Turbo"? Why is the 335i without a sport package not a "330i Turbo," or the diesel a "330d," while the current 328i a "330i"? Arrrgh...
This is a sport package Z4 with some M-Sport bits. Sure, the engine is tweaked, but we all know the Bavarians left themselves plenty of room for that.
I'm sure the car drives well, but I dunno. I was cool with the Bangle styling, and while the new 5-series looks to be the business, the badging, the willingness to forego tradition (Motorsport SUVs? Turbo M-engines?) and the ridiculous pricing are making me think that BMW is going through what Mercedes went through in the late 1990s/early 2000s. It doesn't know how to bring the traditional BMW way into the modern age. It is good to see Mercedes has apparently found its way, and I'm certain BMW will as well.
DLu says:
06:49 AM, 12/13/09
i missed the estimated price on this thing?
rayainsw says:
08:40 AM, 12/13/09
If this -
"And on the overboost, torque rises to 369 lb-ft, according to BMW. "
makes it to the 335i sedan sometime soon,
this might be my next car....
- Ray
Unwilling to go the 'mod' route to big TQ on rge BMW turbo motors...
hondacura4 says:
10:13 AM, 12/13/09
So this car gets a retuned N54 instead of the N55? Did BMW ever resolve the HPFP issues?
charlesb says:
09:26 PM, 12/13/09
No manual transmission on a sport model is a bit silly.
sabastian says:
07:48 AM, 12/14/09
No manual? Sounds like the Boxster S is still the best roadster under $70k.