2012 BMW Z4 - Combines Comfort and Control

After the successful launch of Jaguar and Land Rover, now German luxury car manufacturer BMW has launched its sports car BMW Z4 Roadster premium high end segment to make its position more stronger in high end car segment. BMW has introduced this new two-seater luxury sports car. It’s great to drive, with strong engines, capable handling and a supple ride.

The Z4 delivers a great mix of comfort and control, combining a slick ride with agile, grippy handling. Every version comes with Drive Dynamic Control, which lets you tailor the responses of the steering, throttle and stability control system to suit the situation. Avoid the M Sport versions, though – the firmer suspension ruins the ride and adds nothing to the handling.

BMW Z4 is powered by the 3.0L, 2979cc engine with 6 - cylinder in-line petrol engine with four valve technology with high precision fuel injection system and with six speed manual transmission gearbox. The BMW Z4 variants that will be packed with this engine are the top end models. This engine offers excellent engine performance with great acceleration so much so that the car can break the 100kmph mark in just 5.1 seconds and it can touch the 250kmph (This speed mark is electronically limited so car can never cross 250kmph mark) of maximum speed mark.

The Z4 has a folding metal roof (rather than a fabric hood) which means it’s quieter than most of its rivals. There’s less wind noise than in an Audi TT, for example, and there isn't much buffeting in al fresco mode, either. A fair amount of road noise does find its way into the cabin, though. Engine noise only intrudes when you want it to, which is exactly what you want from a roadster.

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The stylish designed interiors of BMW Z4 are very impressive and it is packed with lots of dynamic styling features. The interior appearance of BMW Z4 is much stylish and impressive with its dual tone dashboard which is packed with highly advanced instrument panel, leather covered steering wheel and gear knob and other leather upholstery. Some other features that make BMW Z4 interior appearance very stylish and sporty are Ergonomically designed graphic Instrument Panel, BMW individual roof liner in Anthracite, Footmats in Velour, Satin silver Matt, Aluminum finely brushed lengthwise, Fine wood trim Ash Grain, Leather Upholstery, High Quality Sport Seats with Headrests, Dual Tone Elegant Interior, Wooden Finished Panels, Multi Information Display, Front Map Lamp, Glove Box, etc.

BMW Z4 already passed number of crash tests, the advanced safety features that are available with BMW Z4 are Dual Front Airbags for Driver and Front Passenger, Side Airbags for Driver and front Passenger (Head/Upper Body), Inner Vented Front and Rear Disc Brakes, bumpers with Aluminium Impact Absorbers, CBC (Cornering Brake Control), Central Locking, Child Seat Fastening and ISOFIX on Passenger Seat, Crash Sensor, Dynamic Brake Lights, Dynamic Stability Control with additional features like Dynamis Traction Control, Roll-Over Safety System, Safety Belts, Integrated Side Impact Protection, etc. These features enhances the handling of this car and ensures that car will never skid out of control in case of hard braking and enhances safety.

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The closest competitors to the 2012 BMW Z4 include the luxe Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster and the Audi TT. For those who want an unadulterated roadster that gives the true feeling of the open road, the Porsche Boxster might be a better choice. But in general, the BMW Z4 does an admirable job combining fun, comfort and style.

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BMW M6 Convertible vs Porsche Boxster S

To begin with, BMW dubs this M6 as their fastest M ever, even though on the surface dropping two cylinders to your top-tier performance coupe seems like you’re going backwards. But then, adding two turbochargers in exchange isn’t such a bad tradeoff. Yes, you lose the sonic blast of the previous gen’s V-10, but the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 willingly produces 560 bhp and 560 lb.-ft. of torque. Not to mention, the single-clutch automated manual gives way to an 8-speed dual-clutch unit.


The Porsche Boxster really didn’t need a wholesale redesign. Since its introduction in 1997, Porsche has tweaked, fiddled with, and upgraded the roadster nearly every year, keeping it feeling modern and fully competitive. Even in the outgoing generation’s final two model years, it remained the benchmark for its class, winning our Best-Handling Cars under $100K competition and taking home another couple of 10Best trophies. Despite the outgoing car’s inarguable excellence, the 2013 Boxster rides on a new platform.

The BMW M6 Convertible and Porsche Boxster S are in the vanguard of that preconception-busting, modern attitude. Between them, they produce 863bhp and 766lb ft of torque. Both accelerate from 0 to 62mph in less than five seconds (4.3 for the M6, 4.8 for the Boxster), and both will manage top speeds high enough for a non-surgical facelift (155mph: BMW, 172mph: Porsche).

Given these figures, it's hardly surprising that neither was lacking pace out on the track; even the serious supercars failed to pull away completely down the straights. And both put on speed with minimal fuss - planted foot, a couple of tugs on the paddles and hello to licence-losing rapidity. The slick, dual-clutch gearboxes help. You can arrive at a corner, bang down the 'box and get on the power early to sling up the straighter bits. Concentrate on mashing the throttle as soon as possible because of the instant and punchy power delivery.

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