The following is a Q&A with David Tuckett, the BMW Z4 Product Manager. The aim of the Q&A is provide you with answers to questions that might not have already been covered and for quotes to be used in your articles.
Historically what are the biggest markets for the BMW Z4?
The USA is the largest single market accounting for approximately 35 per cent of worldwide sales with Germany accounting for 25 per cent and the UK 10 per cent.
Why aren’t there any four-cylinder models at launch and will you be offering a diesel or, better still, a true M car at some stage? The new BMW Z4 has been positioned as a six-cylinder product and a customer looking to buy in this price range simply expects to have that type of engine. We obviously always consider our options, and a diesel might well appeal to the UK market. However, BMW is a global company and we have to consider the wider market when looking at introducing new derivatives. While there might be an emotional appeal to introduce a new product there has to be a sound business proposition for it too.
For a sports car like the Z4, why is BMW giving up the classical handbrake lever?
This is quite simply down to packaging. The new handbrake saves space on the centre console while at the same time does not affect the way a customer drives the car.
Given that ride quality on the previous Z4 was heavily criticised why does BMW persist with Run-flat tyres?
First of all I would argue that the previous Z4 never suffered any ride quality issues and this view is backed up with the feedback we received from buyers. The previous E85/86 Z4 did have a firm, sporting ride because it was a pure sports car with driving dynamics to the fore that appealed to a certain customer. Regarding Run-flat tyres these are actually ideal on a sports car where a spare wheel would take up unnecessary space and weight.
Why has BMW opted for a Retractable Hard-Top on the new Z4, and not a soft-top?
Because many Z4 customers have already expressed the wish for a Retractable Hard-Top for reasons of motoring comfort and safety, better protection from wind and weather, noise and vandalism.
What is the weight penalty for going down this route?
In terms of the roof alone the switch to a Retractable Hard-Top roof has only added 30kgs to the kerb weight. I have seen reports that the weight of the car is much higher compared to the outgoing cars, but these do not take into account the fact the new Z4 is actually a bigger car, both in length and width, while also coming with more equipment as standard.
Will there be a Z4 Coupé one day as a further derivative?
No, because this car already offers two concepts in one. I appreciate we do offer a 3 Series Coupé and a 3 Series Convertible, but the buyer demographic for those cars is different.
Why have you started to refer to rear-wheel-drive as sDrive?
This is something we have introduced on roadster models to underscore the outright sporting character of the cars. The sDrive nomenclature is complemented by the xDrive moniker used on four-wheel-drive BMW vehicles.
Why has the BMW Z4 grown in size? Has this been intentionally done to make room for a 1 Series-based roadster?
Naturally we investigate every possible new opportunity, but that is not the reason the dimensions of the latest BMW has grown. This is more to do with crash protection, general design wishes and the actually positioning of the car in the market.
By targeting the Mercedes SLK as your main rival has BMW gone soft with the Z4?
It is true we are targeting a broader base of customers, but this is still primarily a sports car first and foremost. However, our chassis engineers have managed to find a perfect combination of exuberant driving dynamics with grown-up refinement.
Historically what are the biggest markets for the BMW Z4?
The USA is the largest single market accounting for approximately 35 per cent of worldwide sales with Germany accounting for 25 per cent and the UK 10 per cent.
Why aren’t there any four-cylinder models at launch and will you be offering a diesel or, better still, a true M car at some stage? The new BMW Z4 has been positioned as a six-cylinder product and a customer looking to buy in this price range simply expects to have that type of engine. We obviously always consider our options, and a diesel might well appeal to the UK market. However, BMW is a global company and we have to consider the wider market when looking at introducing new derivatives. While there might be an emotional appeal to introduce a new product there has to be a sound business proposition for it too.
For a sports car like the Z4, why is BMW giving up the classical handbrake lever?
This is quite simply down to packaging. The new handbrake saves space on the centre console while at the same time does not affect the way a customer drives the car.
Given that ride quality on the previous Z4 was heavily criticised why does BMW persist with Run-flat tyres?
First of all I would argue that the previous Z4 never suffered any ride quality issues and this view is backed up with the feedback we received from buyers. The previous E85/86 Z4 did have a firm, sporting ride because it was a pure sports car with driving dynamics to the fore that appealed to a certain customer. Regarding Run-flat tyres these are actually ideal on a sports car where a spare wheel would take up unnecessary space and weight.
Why has BMW opted for a Retractable Hard-Top on the new Z4, and not a soft-top?
Because many Z4 customers have already expressed the wish for a Retractable Hard-Top for reasons of motoring comfort and safety, better protection from wind and weather, noise and vandalism.
What is the weight penalty for going down this route?
In terms of the roof alone the switch to a Retractable Hard-Top roof has only added 30kgs to the kerb weight. I have seen reports that the weight of the car is much higher compared to the outgoing cars, but these do not take into account the fact the new Z4 is actually a bigger car, both in length and width, while also coming with more equipment as standard.
Will there be a Z4 Coupé one day as a further derivative?
No, because this car already offers two concepts in one. I appreciate we do offer a 3 Series Coupé and a 3 Series Convertible, but the buyer demographic for those cars is different.
Why have you started to refer to rear-wheel-drive as sDrive?
This is something we have introduced on roadster models to underscore the outright sporting character of the cars. The sDrive nomenclature is complemented by the xDrive moniker used on four-wheel-drive BMW vehicles.
Why has the BMW Z4 grown in size? Has this been intentionally done to make room for a 1 Series-based roadster?
Naturally we investigate every possible new opportunity, but that is not the reason the dimensions of the latest BMW has grown. This is more to do with crash protection, general design wishes and the actually positioning of the car in the market.
By targeting the Mercedes SLK as your main rival has BMW gone soft with the Z4?
It is true we are targeting a broader base of customers, but this is still primarily a sports car first and foremost. However, our chassis engineers have managed to find a perfect combination of exuberant driving dynamics with grown-up refinement.
