2014 BMW Z4 details

2014 BMW Z4

The 2014 BMW Z4 gets a few minor revisions to the exterior and interior of the car. New headlights are the most obvious external change, though several new colors and wheel choices are also available. Inside, the car also receives minor updates that include new air vents and changes to the optional wood trim.


Outside, the 2014 Z4 is defined by a long hood, muscular rear fenders, and BMW's signature "twin kidney" grille. While just about every convertible looks good with the top down, the Z4 is one of the few whose aesthetics are equally as impressive top-up. Credit this to the Z4's retracting hardtop. When in the fixed-roof position, the Z4 passes as a voluptuous little coupe. Aside from nomenclature markings and the placement of the twin exhaust tips, the three trim levels are distinguished by slightly different front fascias, highlighted by a polished grille on 6-cylinder models.

Powering the Z4 is BMW's new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gives up 15 horsepower to the old six but brings 40 lb-ft more torque to the table 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of twist, to be exact. The smaller engine is able to sit farther behind the front axle line, improving weight distribution and handling. Fuel economy increases to an impressive 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and the car accelerates to 60 mpg from a standstill in the mid-five second range.

Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic for sDrive28i models, while the sDrive35i substitutes a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for the automatic. The sDrive35is is only available with the seven-speed DCT.

Its extra power over the 35i comes with no fuel economy penalty it's rated at the same 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway. You do, however, lose the option of a manual transmission, as the 35is comes only with BMW's 7-speed M-DCT dual-clutch automatic, while the 35i also can be had with a 6-speed stick. With the manual, the 35i does get better gas mileage, up 2 mpg in both city and highway driving. Of course, the real mileage champ is the four-cylinder 28i, which nets 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

The 2014 BMW Z4 comes standard with eight-way power-adjustable leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio jack, a USB port and HD Radio. Available features include leather seats, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, Bluetooth audio streaming, satellite radio and a premium audio system.

The Z4 comes standard with 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, driver and passenger side airbag head extension, driver and passenger knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic air conditioning, 17" aluminum wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, electronic stability.

The 2014 BMW Z4 can be ordered in 14 exterior colors, including three new ones: Mineral Grey metallic, Glacier Silver metallic and Valencia Orange metallic. The latter color is only available with an optional Hyper Orange package that replaces the previously available Citrus Yellow Package. There is also a new set of 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a new V-Spoke design.

The 2014 BMW Z4 sDrive35i is a luxury roadster that commands a certain price. The base sDrive28i starts at $54,300. The sDrive35i rolls in at $63,900. As tested with the Premium, Navigation, and M sport packages.