2019 BMW Z4 M40i Announced, Promises to Be 'Extremely Powerful'
The 2019 BMW Z4 M40i has been previewed in a release from the German automaker, giving us our first real glimpse of the new convertible ahead of its debut later this year.
BMW says the 2019 Z4 M40i will feature an ‘extremely powerful’ inline-six engine, along with electronically controlled dampers, lightweight M alloy wheels, an M braking system and an electronic locking rear differential. This combination will “create an overall package that sees the BMW M Performance model setting a whole new benchmark for driving pleasure in the roadster segment,” it says.
The German automaker also revealed that it is currently putting the Z4 through its paces at its Miramas test center in the south of France. The test center has been used by BMW to develop and test its new products for over 30 years, and comprises an asphalt oval for high-speed testing along with a slalom section and a variety of handling courses. Thanks to the extensive testing conducted there, the company promises the next-gen Z4 will be extremely agile and sporty without compromising ride comfort – a characteristic that’s extremely important to Z4 buyers.
SEE ALSO: 2018 Volvo XC60 vs 2018 BMW X3 M40i
“The vehicle concept of the new BMW Z4 is geared consistently towards agility and driving dynamics,” said lead BMW suspension engineer Jos van As. “The high level of body stiffness and the very rigid suspension attachment provide the perfect basis for a set-up that guarantees the performance qualities of a genuine sports car in terms of steering precision as well as longitudinal and transverse acceleration.”
BMW promises the new Z4 will be released “soon,” so we shouldn’t have to wait too much longer to see the finished product. The other M40i-badged product in the BMW lineup, the X3 M40i, is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine making 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which is likely the same setup that will be offered in the Z4 M40i. An eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission will also likely be on the cards.
Stay tuned for more information on the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i as it becomes available.
Discuss this story on our BMW Forum.
Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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So much nicer when a metal top folds into the trunk. Are we getting away from this? The public demands the convenience.
Does this mean there will be a Supra XSE or possibly a TRD Supra or even a GRMN Supra? Toyota has barely hinted at the next Supra, but BWM is letting everyone know what's coming down the pipe. I'm guessing that they are guessing that more people will flock toward the next Z4 (in any guise) than the Supra. I'll probably see a Unicorn with a rainbow tattoo on its bum before I'll see a 5thgen Supra.