2019 BMW Z4 First Look: Good Things, Small Packages

We’ve waited a long time to see the final production version of the BMW Z4, which made its debut as a concept at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Now the wait is over, as the Z4 has reemerged at the same event a year later in First Edition guise.

Introducing the new roadster line, the 2019 BMW Z4 M40i First Edition has a striking design. It doesn’t feature the same gravity-defying beauty as the concept, but the production-spec Z4 keeps the most important design details intact. Like the concept, it features a low center of gravity, a long clamshell hood, side gills, and bold body lines across the doors, as well as a rear lip spoiler, rounded back end, and narrow taillights. The roadster has a mesh grille design and lower vents that are much tamer than those on the concept.

BMW says the First Edition model has unique accoutrements. The model receives a Frozen Orange Metallic paint color, 19-inch alloy wheels in a two-tone design, and black mirror caps. The 2019 Z4 First Edition will also include a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, two high-resolution digital displays, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Powering the roadster is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. BMW hasn’t finalized output for the production model, but a prototype we drove recently made 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. That’s up considerably from the 335 hp and 332 lb-ft produced by the old Z4 sDrive35is. BMW estimates the new Z4 M40i roadster can hit 60 mph in under 4.4 seconds. In addition to a powerful engine, the model also benefits from an M-tuned sport suspension.

We recently drove a Z4 M40i prototype in France, and we were impressed. After a spin on the track, we wrote, “It only took one blast down the straight and two corners to realize that the Z4 M40i is a genuine sports car.” Considering this was a near-production prototype, we have a good feeling we’ll also like the final version once we get our hands on it.

BMW will launch the Z4 M40i in the second quarter of 2019. Earlier that spring, BMW will bring out the Z4 30i, a base model that will likely be powered by a turbo-four with at least 248 hp. Full details on the Z4 will be announced this September.

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