The coupé and M versions of the E90 3 Series BMW are still under development, but does that mean the Munich-based marque has few performance models to offer? No, says BMW SA, following hot on the heels of the M6, the 270 kW 650Ci has arrived on the market and next year will see the launch of the Z4 Coupé.
The coupé and M versions of the E90 3 Series BMW are still under development, but does that mean the Munich-based marque has few performance models to offer? No, says BMW SA, following hot on the heels of the M6, the 650Ci has arrived on the market and next year will see the launch of the Z4 Coupé.
CARtoday.com reported last month that a new 32-valve 4,8-litre V8, equipped with Valvetronic and double Vanos technology, had been introduced to the 5 Series range (Click here for more). Developing maximum power of 270 kW and peak torque of 490 N.m at 3 400 r/min, the new powerplant also does duty in coupé and cabriolet 650Ci models.
650Ci models produce 25 kW and 40 N.m more than their now-discontinued 645Ci predecessors. The 650i Coupé is said to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5,4 seconds, while its open-air counterpart completes the same exercise in 5,7 seconds. Top speed of is limited electronically to 250 km/h on both models.
BMW claims the coupé will consume 11,9 litres of fuel per 100 km and the convertible 12,9 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle. As far as non-mechanical updates are concerned, the 650Ci will be offered with two new exterior colours – Monaco Blue and Barbera Red – as well as a new 19-inch wheel design with different-sized tyres (245/40 R 19 at front, 275/35 R 19 at rear).
The 650Ci’s track was widened by 8 mm at the rear, black has replaced grey as the predominant interior colour, the iDrive controller’s been redesigned and there is now a start/stop button on the instrument panel. The latest generation Dynamic Stability Control, which incorporates Hill Start Assist, Brake Standby, Dry Braking, Fading Compensation and Soft-Stop functions, is standard.
Meanwhile, BMW AG has confirmed what many automotive enthusiasts have long suspected… The Z4 Coupé, which wowed visitors to the Frankfurt Show with its classic GT proportions and styling, will soon go into production. In fact, BMW says the first vehicles will be delivered to international customers in June next year.
CARtoday.com reported last month that BMW chairman Helmut Panke had proclaimed his desire to put the new Z4 coupé into production, not only with the 195 kW 3,0-litre straight six engine (as fitted to the concept shown in Frankfurt), but also an uprated version of the M division’s 3,2-litre powerplant.
Much of the Z4 Coupé’s bodywork, including its long sweeping bonnet, front fenders and frameless doors, is shared with the Z4 Roadster, alongside which the new range will be assembled at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.
The production-ready Z4 Coupé shown in Frankfurt was fitted with a 3,0-litre straight-six producing 195 kW and 315 N.m of torque. BMW claims the concept will zip from zero to 100 km/h in 5,7 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Although the E90 version of the M3 will probably be powered by a 310 kW 4,0-litre V8 engine (which, in addition to a 138 kW 2,0-litre four-cylinder, 172 kW 2,5-litre and a rumoured 240 kW turbocharged 3,0-litre straight-six had also been expected to get a tour of duty in the Z4 Coupé), the upcoming Z4 M Coupé will receive a version of the E46-series M3’s 252 kW 3,2-litre six-cylinder engine mated with BMW’s latest seven-speed M-sequential gearbox, “an M chassis and M-specific body”.
When can we expect the Z4 Coupé to arrive in South Africa? Sources say it could be around the fourth quarter of 2006!
