Sexy beast: the BMW Z4 roadster - Cars

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, Feb-March, 2003 by Matt Franklin

With the Z4, BMW design chief Chris Bangle and his team have created a roadster for the 21st century. The striking styling shows the influence of BMW's Z9 concept car and the Fiat Coupe. There's an aggressive, shark-like nose and a side profile that, to my eyes, are somewhat reminiscent of a Type 175 Delahaye, 1949 vintage. Fascinating cut lines abound, and the complex interplay of convex and concave surfaces is described in BMW-speak as 'flame surfacing'. I'll keep it simple and go with intriguingly sexy. This is certainly one car that invites a second look.

After the striking exterior, the elegant interior design will be immediately familiar to BMW aficionados. One sees a contemporary take on the traditional roadster cockpit with a sporty tri-spoke steering wheel and the large speedometer and tachometer dials clearly visible. Avoid the wood option--it looks rather incongruous here--and opt instead for the superb brushed aluminium finish and acclimatize yourself. The sport seats offer plenty of lateral support, and if you opt for the heated seats, you'll be comfortable piloting the Z4 into the night. Trunk space is sufficient and, critically, there's enough room for a couple of golf bags. Powered by two versions of the revered M54 6-cylinder engine family, whether you opt for the 2.5 or 3.0-liter, with 184 and 225 hp respectively, you'll find magnificent, usable performance on tap as you surge forward with the wind in your face.

However, you'll also be pleased to note that, unlike the somewhat compromised Z3, the Z4 is new from the ground up, incorporating an evolved version of the 3 series' superb chassis, encompassing multi-link rear suspension and run-flat tires. Handling and road holding are, perhaps not surprisingly, magnificent. This is an incredibly capable machine and a trip to the Nurburgring is probably the only safe way to test its limits. The Z4 also feels reassuringly strong and free from the annoying scuttle shake that bedevils many lesser roadsters. Simply put, it's a great driving machine.

And the Z4 needs to be great, given the company that it is keeping. The 2.5i retails for $33,795 and the 3.0i for $40,945, to which an almost infinite list of options can be added. For a similar outlay you can buy a Mercedes SLK, Audi TT, or Porsche's delectable Boxster. If you yearn for a real screamer, redlining at 9000 RPM, then Honda's nimble Z2000 could also be a (far from) sensible choice. The new Z4 deserves a place alongside the quintessential BMW roadsters, the 328 of the 1930s and the sublime Albrecht Goertz-designed 507 of the 1950s. The Z4 is all about pure driving pleasure and manages to combine this with looks that guarantee you'll always gel a second glance. "Every BMW design rests on two indispensable pillars: tradition and the future," notes Katharina Mack of BMW Design. The Z4 is the strongest evidence yet that this is truly the case at Bavarian Motor Works.