The International Media Launch of the new 2019 Z4 Roadster took place recently in Portugal, on the scenic country roads around Sintra and in the nation’s capital city Lisbon.
Automotive journalists from all over the world got the change to get behind the wheel of the third generation Z4. As usual, BMW used the occasion to shoot some new photos with its new open-top model. You can see all 121 of them in our gallery, which shows the range-topping M40i model from all possible angles.
Besides the M Performance model, the 2019 Z4 lineup also includes the sDrive20i and sDrive30i models. All three engine variants will be available in Europe, while the U.S. market will skip the entry-level sDrive20i and only get the higher-powered sDrive30i and M40i.
The M40i features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 382 hp in the United States. In European markets, however, the Z4 M40i has a lower power output of 335 hp (340 PS) at 5,000-6,500 rpm. You can blame stricter emissions regulations for that. The peak torque stays the same on both continents, though: 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) available from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm.
The six-cylinder engine is mated to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Consequently, the Z4 M40i covers the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 4.5 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds). Top speed is limited at 155 mph (250 km/h).
Besides the more powerful engine, the M40i variant also benefits from additional performance-enhancing features as standard. Those include the 10-mm (0.4-in) lower Adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes, and M Sport differential.
Performance-wise, the next best thing to the M40i is the sDrive30i. It packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit producing 255 hp (258 PS) at 5,000-6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. Fitted with the same automatic transmission, the Z4 sDrive30i goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (0-60 in 5.2 seconds) and tops out at 155 mph (250 km/h).
Finally, the sDrive20i uses the same turbo-four unit in a lower state of tune of 197 PS (194 hp) at 4,500–6,500 rpm and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) between 1,450 and 4,200 rpm. Its performance is comparable to a hot hatch: 0-100 km/h takes 6.6 seconds and maximum speed is 240 km/h (149 mph).