This is BMW’s new high-performance car, theZ4 sDrive 35i, and although the name doesn’t flow that easily off the tongue, it is essentially the fastest, hardest Z4 since the recently departed M roadster.
The sDrive 351 builds on an already impressive 3.0-litre twin-turbo, inline 6-cylinder engine, but a higher flow intake has been added allowing the turbos to spin harder to deliver an extra 11 percent power and torque. This means that you now get 335bhp and 332lb-ft of torque available from just 1400rpm. There is also an electronically controlled over-boost function which allows the torque to be boosted to 369lb-ft for brief periods. These impressive figures give the sDrive 35i the ability to sprint the 0-62mph run in just 4.7 seconds and onto a top speed of 155mph. Not bad for a car with pretty good economy of 31.4mpg combined and CO2 emissions stand at 210g/km. The powerful engine is mated to a paddle-controlled seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, driving the rear wheels.
The sDrive also has the sound to match the performance, with a specially developed exhaust featuring sound flaps and modifications to the silencers, enabling the motor to give “powerful acoustic feedback”.
BMW have lowered the suspension by 0.4″ in the sDrive 35i to compliment the extra power. They have also added an M-Sport package and retuned the electronic power steering.
The exterior changes are very subtle with new front and rear bumpers and a set of ‘new-style’ 18 inchers. And regardless of what colour the car is, it will always be supplied with silver mirror caps.
Although no prices have been released yet, the BMW Z4 sDrive 35i will make its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and will go on sale in the spring.
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