What engine is used in the new Z4?
4 Answers
The new Z4 is equipped with two types of engines: one is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, and the other is a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine. The relevant details are as follows: 1. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine has a maximum power of 145 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 320 Newton-meters. It can deliver maximum torque at 1450-4200 revolutions per minute, with a maximum power output at 4500-6500 revolutions per minute. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT). 2. The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine has a maximum power of 250 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 500 Newton-meters. It can deliver maximum torque at 1600-4500 revolutions per minute, with a maximum power output at 5000-6500 revolutions per minute. This engine is also paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT).
I test drove the new Z4 at the dealership a couple of days ago, and the salesperson gave me a detailed introduction to the engine configurations. The entry-level version comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder B48 turbocharged engine, delivering 197 horsepower, which is more than sufficient for city driving. The higher-end version features a 3.0-liter inline-six B58 engine with a whopping 387 horsepower, paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The acceleration is incredibly responsive with immediate push-back sensation. What surprised me most is that it retains BMW's classic inline-six layout, which means better weight distribution for this rear-wheel-drive sports car. The deep, rich exhaust note at high RPMs is particularly thrilling—much smoother than the older N-series engines—and the fuel consumption is kept at a reasonable 10L/100km or so.
As a frequent visitor to tuning shops, I'm particularly interested in the powertrain of the new Z4. This generation has fully adopted the modular B-series engines, available in two versions: the B48 four-cylinder and the B58 six-cylinder. The B58 is indeed impressive, with its single turbo twin-scroll design delivering exceptionally strong low-end torque—peaking at 500 Nm at just 2000 rpm. It also retains the closed-deck cylinder block, offering much greater tuning potential compared to open-deck designs. Friends in the car community I know can easily surpass 450 horsepower with just a stage 1 tune, though it's important to reinforce the cooling system. While turbo lag is more noticeable than with superchargers, BMW's tuning makes it smooth and responsive; in daily driving, you won't feel any abruptness from the turbo engagement.
Focus on the Z4 engine depends on the specific model year and configuration. Taking the latest 2023 model as an example, the 30i variant is equipped with the B48B20 2.0T four-cylinder, while the 40i features the B58B30 3.0T inline-six, both compliant with Euro 6 emission standards. The key lies in their twin-scroll turbochargers and water-cooled intercoolers, improving thermal management efficiency by over 20% compared to previous models. I've personally tested the 40i, where its 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.5 seconds is largely attributed to Valvetronic variable valve timing and 350bar high-pressure direct injection technology. However, note that the oil pan remains a plastic component, requiring oil temperature control during aggressive driving.
