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Added on the 13/09/2018 13:35:58 - Copyright : CarBuyer
BMW has unveiled an updated interpretation of the classical roadster concept. The new BMW Z4 is ready to steal the show as a premium open-top sports car boasting an emotion-packed body design, a fully-electric soft-top roof, compact proportions and a squarely driver-focused interior. Agility, dynamic performance and precise handling were all top priorities when developing the two-seater's body, powertrain and chassis. The extremely high rigidity of the body structure and chassis mountings, the intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamic properties provided the ideal basis for meeting these objectives. The new design of the front and rear axles benefits not just the car's sporty on-road prowess, but its ride comfort too. And the new BMW Z4 combines its pure sporting pedigree with a wealth of highly advanced, topclass equipment features on the driver assistance, operation and connectivity fronts.From the outside, the way in which the roadster concept has evolved is particularly plain to see from the car's proportions. The new BMW Z4 has a low-slung, sporty, compact appearance when viewed from any angle. It is 85 millimetres longer than its predecessor (at 4,324 millimetres), 74 millimetres wider (now 1,864 millimetres) and 13 millimetres taller (1,304 millimetres). The shortening of the wheelbase by 26 millimetres to 2,470 millimetres serves to sharpen agility, as do the notably wider tracks - 1,609 millimetres at the front (+ 98 mm) and 1,616 millimetres at the rear (+ 57 mm). The car's central seating position, low centre of gravity and minimised weight, as well as ideal 50 : 50 weight distribution, also contribute to the intoxicating dynamism of the new BMW Z4.
At the BMW Group, the use of 3D-printed components is on the rise. Over the last decade alone, the company produced a million parts by this innovative method, and this year output from the BMW Group Additive Manufacturing Center is expected to reach over 200,000 components — a 42 percent increase on last year’s total.Dr. Jens Ertel, Director of the BMW Group Additive Manufacturing Center: “The use of components made by additive manufacturing in series production of vehicles is increasing particularly strongly at the moment. We are following the development and application of advanced these manufacturing methods very closely indeed, partly through longstanding cooperations with leading manufacturers in the field. At the same time, we are engaging in targeted technology scouting and evaluating innovative production systems.”Recently the BMW Group fitted its one-millionth 3D-printed component in series production: a window guide rail for the BMW i8 Roadster. Thanks to the work of specialists at the Additive Manufacturing Center, the rail took just five days to develop and was integrated into series production in Leipzig shortly after. It is found in the door of the BMW i8 Roadster and allows the window to operate smoothly. The component is manufactured by HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology, a high-speed method enhanced by the BMW Group in conjunction with HP and now in use in the series production of vehicles for the very first time. It can produce up to 100 window guide rails in 24 hours.
BMW is unveiling an updated interpretation of the classical roadster concept. The new BMW Z4 is ready to steal the show as a premium open-top sports car boasting an emotion-packed body design, a fully-electric soft-top roof, compact proportions and a squarely driver-focused interior. Agility, dynamic performance and precise handling were all top priorities when developing the two-seater’s body, powertrain and chassis. The extremely high rigidity of the body structure and chassis mountings, the intelligent lightweight design and optimised aerodynamic properties provided the ideal basis for meeting these objectives. The new design of the front and rear axles benefits not just the car’s sporty on-road prowess, but its ride comfort too. And the new BMW Z4 combines its pure sporting pedigree with a wealth of highly advanced, topclass equipment features on the driver assistance, operation and connectivity fronts.
"A new chapter is set to be added to BMW’s fascinating history of roadster-making. The protagonist in question is the new BMW Z4, which will celebrate its show premiere in the French capital. The new version of the open-top two-seater exudes pure sporting pedigree at first glance with its emotionally powerful body design in the brand’s new design language, its classical soft-top roof with electric operation and its driver-focused interior. The dynamic potential of the new BMW Z4 is rooted in a range of extensively upgraded engines, a new chassis design and an extremely rigid body structure. Wide tracks, well balanced proportions and a compact wheelbase enhance the car’s handling agility. And its central seating position, minimised weight and low centre of gravity provide a ticket to intense driving pleasure. The new BMW Operating System 7.0 takes control and operation to an even higher level and makes use of 10.25-inch colour displays for both the digital instrument cluster and central monitor. At the pinnacle of the three-pronged Z4 range is a BMW M Performance model. The new BMW Z4 M40i (fuel consumption combined: 7.4 – 7.1 l/100 km [38.2 – 39.8 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 168 – 162 g/km) is fitted with a six-cylinder in-line engine developing 250 kW/340 hp, comes as standard with features including Adaptive M Sport suspension, variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels and high-performance tyres, and dispatches the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5 seconds."
"Passengers inside the new BMW i8 Roadster will look up to find either the open sky or a high-quality, all-season fabric soft-top with additional soundproofing. All-electric operation ensures the roof opens or closes in an almost silent hush, within 15 seconds and while travelling at up to 50 km/h, if required. The broad, wide-opening lid guarantees an emotionally-engaging driving experience shaped in no small part by the sun and on-rushing air. The BMW i8 Roadster is alone among its rivals in offering owners a fabric soft-top which stows away into a perpendicular position in the rear when opened and therefore takes up very little space. The three segments of the roof fold vertically in a Z. And between the roof box and the seats for the driver and front passenger is around 100 litres of additional storage space. Together with the load area in the rear, which can accommodate 88 litres of cargo, the rear compartment helps to ensure the open-top version of the plug-in hybrid sports car is also as well equipped as possible for everyday use and trips away. Opening the roof raises the rear window automatically by around 30 millimetres into a comfort position. This allows it to mimic the effect of a conventional draught stop in reducing air turbulence inside the cabin and ensuring those on board can enjoy the pleasure of open-top driving pleasure in comfort. The driver can adjust the height of the rear window at the touch of a button and thus control the impact of the inflowing air as desired. Intelligent lightweight design and innovative production technology also play a key role in the construction of the soft-top. For example, aluminium elements connecting the roof mechanism with the body of the new BMW i8 Roadster are produced in a new 3D printing process. This manufacturing method for aluminium components breaks new ground in the automotive industry and allows the topologically optimised bracings to be produced in a geometric form, which would not be possible using conventional casting techniques and ensures an optimum balance between component rigidity and weight. "
A plaque in the interior confirms that these 18 BMW i8 Roadsters (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 46 g/km) came off the assembly line at BMW Group Plant Leipzig one after the other and are among the first to be handed over to customers. At BMW Welt in Munich, the BMW i8 Club received the keys for the exclusive first edition of the breath-taking plug-in hybrid roadsters from Peter van Binsbergen, head of Sales and Marketing BMW Germany. Their first outing was to drive in convoy to Lake Como in Italy for the Concorso d’Eleganza, where they will be displayed on the grounds of the Villa Erba this weekend.
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