Metallic Sunshine: BMW Z4 Coupe

November 08,2007

There’s good reason why it’s called the rainy season—and that reason’s falling from the sky in copious amounts today. Usually, this limits the use of sports cars. Talk to anyone who owns a convertible and they’ll tell you that it’s fun to have in the summer, but simply a pain when it rains. The fact that their lumpy canvas tops look awkwardly fitting doesn’t improve matters. Of course, you can go for one of those fancy coupe-convertibles—cars with folding metal roofs. Again, they seem nice on paper until you find out that their roofs already eat up the already precious trunk space, and there’s a chance of them leaking in the long run (especially if they’re French). So what’s a car enthusiast to do? When it comes to the Philippines’ two-season weather, there’s only one car that manages to combine the exhilaration of a sports car with the lasting ability of a true grand tourer, and that’s the BMW Z4 Coupe.

Say what you want about the design, but one thing’s for certain: this is a triumph of modern design. Overall, it looks simply fantastic: all swag lines and aggression—it’s a creature of pent-up aggression. This is easily the most beautiful BMW on sale today and is attractive from every angle. The best view though is in profile with the long hood, flame-surfaced bodywork and the wonderfully executed roofline. The front-end’s aggressive, like a shark, and those sexy low-profile 17-inch alloys give it presence and purpose for such a small car.

Inside, there’s more reason to like the Z4 Coupe. The three-spoke steering wheel (with auxiliary controls) is so massively thick it’s like holding one of the tires. The seats with their one-piece backrest may be low on adjustment, but they are high on comfort and support. The ergonomics is what one would expect from BMW: perfect. The pedals, gear lever and even the smallest minute controls are all within easy reach. The interior’s unencumbered by iDrive (even if you opt for the M Coupe) and this means it only takes a few moments to feel perfectly settled in the driver’s seat. Without iDrive, it means there’s not much toys to play with—the only highlight being the aurally satisfying 6-disc CD changer (sorry, Apple iPod lovers, there’s no aux jack in the Z4 Coupe). Like its roadster sibling, the Z4 Coupe’s dash is highlighted by the use of aluminum. There’s ton of the stuff from the center console to the transmission tunnel. It’s nicely executed, but it may not be to everyone’s taste.

Settling into the driver’s seat, the first thing you’d notice is the space. It’s not as cramped as you may think, thanks partly to the double-bubble roof and low seating position. Visibility and storage space are all acceptable, as you as keep in mind that this is a sports car and not a luxury SUV. The trunk is surprisingly huge, and is accessible via a wide-opening hatch, which means you can bring more than a change of clothes when you do an impromptu weekend getaway.

And what a getaway it would be. In 3.0si trim, the Z4 Coupe’s power output at 265 horsepower outstrips even the more expensive Porsche Cayman and the 6-cylinder Audi TT. In raw numbers, the Z4 Coupe obliterates the 100 km/h mark in just 5.7 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Even more impressive perhaps is that the Z4 Coupe does the 80-120 km/h (highway overtaking speed) in just 5.2 seconds—perfect for overtaking most cars on the road. Curiously, thanks to the use of high-tech materials on the engine as well as the Coupe’s bantam weight, it did a remarkable 8.80 km/L during the city test (BMW quotes 11.62 km/L in a combined city/highway cycle).

The engine note is gloriously mechanical and hard-edged. The straight-6 is delightful (and addicting) to listen to as it zings to the 6,600 rpm redline. Purists may shun the fact that the 3.0si’s only locally available with a 6-speed automatic, but don’t let that put you off. It’s telepathically responsive, enabling one to extract the most out of the engine. Like all other BMWs, there are ‘Sport’ and ‘Manual’ shift modes, but leaving it in ‘Drive’ during everyday driving will more than suffice. There’s a separate ‘Sport’ button on the center tunnel too—and this remaps the throttle response.

Where the Z4 Coupe really excels is in terms of chassis balance. This is a car that feels like it’s been hardwired into your brain. It makes you instantly feel at home in, talks to you all the time and encourages you to play whenever conditions allow. The ride is surprisingly superb; compliant yet informative with all the unwanted road-chatter filtered out before it reaches your behind. The fixed roof increases the rigidity of the Z4 Coupe over the roadster, and as a consequence, it feels much more stable over corners. It also pays off in safety by offering excellent protection in virtually any kind of accident. If your driving ability’s not as sharp as Robert Kubica though, the Z4 Coupe comes loaded with safety features from DSC to DTC and DBC.

The BMW Z4 Coupe is a hugely engaging and charismatic car as well as being incredibly exploitable and faithful too. It’s arguably the best-handling car BMW makes, which says something, and that alone makes it worth the P 4,720,000 price of admission.

There may be other choices out there both lower and above the Z4 Coupe’s price, but not one stands up to the BMW’s pace, prestige and pedigree. Unarguably this car has that racecar-like feel: raw when its wound out, but relaxed and composed when you’re not in the mood. It puts a smile on your face every time you look at it, and every time you sit in it and every time you fire up that engine and sends the tachometer swinging into the red.

It’s a car you simply get or you don’t get and for those who do, there’s no better sports car.

By Ulysses Ang | Photos by Ulysses Ang

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