When was the BMW Z4 released?
2 Answers
The BMW Z4 was produced in March 2019. The design of the Z4 was an improvement based on the Z3, and it was also the first convertible sports car from BMW to feature a retractable hardtop. Exterior Design: The new BMW Z4 retains the design elements of the concept car, with the iconic double-kidney grille becoming wider. The front headlight clusters on both sides are visually striking, and the M Sport package is added. The lower bumper features a three-dimensional air intake design with complex lines, continuing the classic elongated front end. The side lines and skirt lines extending from the front fender vents are sharp. The concept car's prominent rear bumper outline, large air vents on both sides of the rear bumper, and slim taillights are carried over. For the interior, the new-generation BMW Z4 adopts the seventh-generation iDrive system, including a full LCD instrument panel and a new central control LCD display. The system continues to support gesture control and smart connectivity features. Powertrain: The new-generation BMW Z4 is equipped with the B48 series 2.0T (including low/high-power versions) and the B58 series 3.0T engines. The entry-level model (sDrive20i) has a maximum power output of 197 horsepower and a peak torque of 320 N·m, paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
As a longtime car enthusiast, I remember the BMW Z4 was first launched in 2002, when I was still in college, obsessively collecting car show magazines. Back then, it replaced the Z3 with its razor-sharp design that turned heads on the streets. The first-gen Z4 roadster (codenamed E85) featured an inline-six engine and offered more precise handling than its predecessor. It quickly became a hit, attracting hordes of young enthusiasts—my friend bought a used one and often took us for joyrides, raving about its exhilarating acceleration. The model was refreshed with a hardtop variant in 2009 and received electronic system upgrades in 2018, but 2002 was undoubtedly its milestone year, cementing its classic status. Looking back, the Z4's design then was clean and pure, free from the flashy gimmicks of modern cars—that unfiltered sports car spirit is truly nostalgic.
