New BMW Z4 SDrive20i Sport 2019 Review
At a time when so many new cars are turning hybrid or EV - and more often than not either a crossover or SUV - the slightly old school but still brand-new BMW Z4 comes as a refreshing interlude. Available with three different petrol engines and in three different specifications, the new front-engined, rear-wheel drive Z4 is aimed squarely at the driving enthusiast. And the engineers have an intriguing way of describing the difference between the old model and the new. The previous Z4 was a machine to drive on a Sunday afternoon, they say, ideally when the sun was shining but not necessarily when there was no one else around. The old Z4 wasn鈥檛, BMW now concedes, a full-blown sports car. But this new model, well that鈥檚 another matter - because the new Z4, the company claims, is a car to get up early for on a Sunday morning, long before anyone else is awake.
Why the extra focus on driver appeal this time around? One reason, and one reason alone: the unceasing success of the Porsche Boxster. BMW has seen sales of the Z4 drop by almost 30 per cent since its birth in 2002, many of which have gone to the Boxster, which has long been considered the most sporting two-seat roadster in this class. As such, weight is down by around 50kg across the range. That鈥檚 partly because the new canvas roof - which raises in just 10 seconds - is lighter, but also because the underpinnings are lighter and more focused, too. The boot is over 70 litres bigger, too - and it makes no difference if the hood is raised or lowered because the space on offer stays the same. But it鈥檚 the extra dynamic precision of the new Z4 that distinguishes it most clearly above its predecessor. That becomes pretty obvious from the moment you turn the key - especially the entry-level sDrive20i Sport. Elsewhere, the Z4 has grown up and got a lot more sophisticated, especially inside. All models come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and fully digitised instruments with BMW鈥檚 latest connectivity software.
This updates automatically and learns driver habits to tailor its responses to suit. After a few days, your new Z4 will know what sort of music you like, which routes you like to take via the sat-nav, and even what ambient temperatures you prefer to drive at. There鈥檚 also active parking, a full range of active and passive safety systems similar to those found in the 5 Series and, unique to this class, a head-up display. The UK range starts at 拢36,990 for the sDrive20i Sport, rising to 拢40,690 for the more powerful (but still four-cylinder) 255bhp 30i Sport, topping out at 拢49,050 for the M40i M Performance model. The 20i and 30i come with 18-inch wheels and tyres, though 19s are available as options across the board. The cheapest new Z4 is well-equipped, pretty good looking and a fair bit more practical than its predecessor. More important than that, however, is it鈥檚 now genuinely engaging to drive - even with a lowly 2.0-litre engine in its nose. It鈥檚 no wonder this very model is expected to be the biggest seller, then, accounting for at least 60 per cent of new Z4 sales.
In the automotive world, Porsche is significantly associated with excellence and superiority. This is why this German brand is one of the top choices of those who want to own a luxury car. Valuable - Forbes lists Porsche in the 67th spot as the world's most valuable brands. Last year, the company delivered a total of 225, 121 vehicles, up 19% compared to the previous year. The Cayenne SUV was rolled out in 2003 and the company was criticized for steering clear of its sports car roots. However, the Cayenne and the Macan crossover SUVs, which were launched in 2014, have become the company's bestsellers. Innovative - Even other car brands acknowledge Porsche's ingenuity. Subaru and Daewoo, among others, for instance, have been given the consultancy service of Porsche in car and engine engineering. Also, world-famous brand Harley-Davidson has been accommodated by the prestige automaker in designing new engines for its products such as the popular V-Rod motorcycle. Proven and Tested Engineering - Porsche's fame is highly improved by its reputation in the car racing field where it is being touted as the world's leader in the production and manufacture of racing cars.
In fact, in 2006, 195 cars built for a variety of racing events have been produced by the automaker. In that same year, it achieved one of its biggest milestones when it was awarded by the Luxury Institute as the most prestigious of all automobile brands. The firm takes the chance to develop its engineering through racing where it is reported that Porsche racing vehicles hardly ever undergo consecutive races having similar and unmodified specifications. Cutting-edge Safety Features - Another great thing about Porsche is its state-of-the-art safety features. For instance, the Carrera is equipped with a high-tech braking system, which integrates ceramic brakes for the first time and bring the car to a safe and definite stop no matter what the speed is. This system comprises 15-inch ventilated discs and six piston calipers. If you want to own a Porsche in Dubai without spending a fortune, checking out second hand cars in Dubai is a wise choice. They are not only more affordable, but also offers the same features and luxury as a brand new one.