BMW's muscular Z4 Roadster is one of this year's more interesting newcomers.

Its bold, aggressive styling, a radical combination of creases and curves, is not for the introverted. This car attracts attention like few others.

The Z4 replaced the more retro Z3, a car that failed to live up to expectations. BMW's second effort is a much sharper package, both in looks and handling. The Z4 makes a much stronger statement.

The test car was a 2.5i automatic. Apart from the styling, the most noticeable change is the handling. The Z4 is more sure footed, sits flatter and hangs on more tenaciously. The extra grip can be attributed to a much more rigid chassis and revised suspension. There is now a sharpness and sparkle to the handling which wasn't evident on the Z3, making it a much more involving car.

For some, on rougher surfaces, the rear end may be a little too firm but the rear suspension is tuned to give the car a dynamic feel.

It takes some time to get used to the electronic power steering which is very direct. The steering feels light at low speeds but does load up as the revs increase.

The five speed Steptronic automatic transmission is competent enough for those who want the convenience of a self shifter but in a car as small as this, especially with the smaller engine, a manual shift would have been a better and more rewarding choice.

Those wanting performance to match the Z4's aggressive looks should probably consider the 3.0 litre engine. But the Z4 2.5i is by no means a slouch - it scoots from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds - but the auto transmission robs the roadster of a little zip.

The contemporary lines carry through to the interior which is bigger than its predecessor but is still by no means expansive. The canvas roof seals tightly and can be raised or lowered at the push of a button. On coarse gravel the 16-inch Bridgestone Potenzas are noisy. Speaking of tyres, the roadster is yet another new arrival which does not carry a spare. In the eyes of most Australians, that's a black mark.

BMW Z Cars - A Book By James Taylor

   
  

After the many exciting and innovative products in its past, by the mid-1980s BMW was, perhaps, beginning to look a little staid, with a reputation largely based on building surefotted and reliable fast saloons and sedans for the executive market. The formation of an internal think tank - BMW Technik - with an ongoing brief to explore all areas of potential product development, allowed bold new ideas to surface. The first BMW Technik model to make it to production was the Z1 roadster, and this is the reason why today's BMW roadsters carry the letter 'Z'. Here is the full story of all the Z prototypes and concept cars, particularly the production models - Z1, Z3 (M-Roadster and M-Coupe) and Z8 - which have done so much to change te public's concept of the BMW marque.

BMW Z Cars at Amazon.com >>