BMWZ4 M Roadster (E85) 2006 - 2009

　　With a long history of producing open-top sports vehicles, BMW introduced the M-badged version of the Z4 Roadster in 2006, re-igniting competition in this segment.

　　The German automaker was known for its glorious open-top sports cars ever since the 1938 BMW 328. After WWII, its first attempt to regain traction in that segment was the 1956 507, which was a total disaster in terms of profit. Fast forward to the late ‘80s, and the Z1 stole the hearts of the brand’s enthusiasts. It was a clear sign that BMW had to make a powerful comeback in that segment, and it did that with the introduction of the 1995 Z3, followed by the 2002 Z4, which got an M-treatment in 2005 for the coupe version, and the Roadster in 2006. But it wasn’t just another open-top Z4 with a more powerful engine; it was a seriously upgraded car.

　　At first sight, the Z4 M Roadster looked just like its siblings, but there were several significant differences. At the front, the automaker kept the same headlights as on the rest of the range but installed a new bumper, which featured an apron that sported a trapezoidal-shaped air intake flanked by a pair of side scoops that mimicked the headlights’ design, albeit reversed by 180 degrees.

　　From its profile, the Z4 M Roadster sported M-specific badges on the front fenders, next to the round blinkers adorned by BMW’s logos. Its sculptured doors followed the flame-surfacing design concept imagined by the American designer Chris Bangle and applied by the car’s main stylist, Anders Warming. The five twin-spoke alloy wheels were also exclusive for this version of the Z4 and revealed the big brakes behind it. At the back, the rear fenders’ lines embodied the coke-bottle ideas from the mid-60s. Apart from the thick A-pillars, the automaker also added a set of safety arches behind the seats, while at the back, the short deck sported a duck-tail spoiler on the trunk. Finally, the rear fascia revealed a third M-badge on the panel and a fat bumper below that made room for the four exhausts to peak through it on the sides.

　　The two-seat cockpit revealed the sports-oriented intentions of the roadster due to its high-bolstered sports seats. Customers could get them in suede or a mix of leather and Alcantara. At the same time, BMW offered a carbon fiber pack option that added specific trims on the center console, center stack, and dashboard. The instrument cluster placed in front of the driver sported a binocular design with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer in individual clusters. In addition, the rev counter’s dial also housed the gauges for the fuel level and the oil temperature (not water). The center console housed the gear stick and the sport button.

　　But the real upgrade happened under the skin. Firstly, the power steering was hydraulic, not electrical, like on the rest of the Z4 range. In addition, the brake system was greatly improved for shorter stopping distances. Under the hood, the wizards from M GmbH installed a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six that sent its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual. The Z4 also came equipped with an M-differential (limited-slip).

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