The BMW E85/E86 is the first generation of BMW Z4 roadsters and coupes, which were produced from 2002 to 2008. The E85/E86 replaced the Z3 and is the third model in the BMW Z Series. Initial models were in the roadster (E85) body style, with the coupe (E86) body style being added in 2006.
As per the Z3, the Z4 was manufactured solely in Greer, South Carolina.
The M model - the Z4M - is powered by the S54 straight-six engine.
Video BMW Z4 (E85)
Development and launch
The E85 was designed by Danish BMW-designer Anders Warming from mid-1998 to the summer of 1999. The E85 designs were frozen on March 1, 2000. The Z4 was introduced at the Paris Auto Show in 2002, and North American models went on sale in November of the same year (as the 2003 model year). European sales began in March 2003.
Initial models consisted of the roadster body style powered by a 2.5L or 3.0L 6-cylinder engine.
Maps BMW Z4 (E85)
Body styles
Roadster (E85)
The Z4 Roadster was launched in 2002 with the 2.5i and 3.0i six-cylinder models. Transmission choices were a six-speed manual, five-speed automatic and six-speed SMG-II automated manual.
A four-cylinder model, the Z4 2.0i Roadster, was introduced for the European market in May 2005.
The drag coefficient is maximum 0.35.
Coupé (E86)
BMW unveiled a concept coupé version of the Z4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005. The design of the Z4 and Z4 coupé has variously been ascribed to Anders Warming, Chris Bangle, the controversial former BMW Head Designer, and Adrian van Hooydonk, current BMW design chief, and BMW designer Tomasz Sycha (Summer 2004 approval, December 2004 design freeze). The company announced in 2005 that the two-door fastback coupé would be available for production including the return of the M Coupé. The production cars were introduced at the New York Auto Show in April 2006 as a 2-door fastback coupé and launched in late May 2006.
Thanks to its hatch design, the Z4 Coupé offers 10.1 cu ft (0.29 m3) of trunk space, compared with 8.5 cu ft (0.24 m3) for the roadster.
The Coupe's fixed roof increases torsional rigidity, resulting in a stiffness of 32,000 N?m (24,000 lb?ft) per degree of body twist on the coupe (compared to 14,500 N?m (10,700 lb?ft) per degree on the roadster), which improves turn-in and overall handling response. The roof has a 'double bubble' contour which serves as an aerodynamic aid and offers more headroom than the roadster with top closed. The Coupé has a sleek fastback rear window that slopes down to an integrated spoiler shaped to deliver downforce to the rear axle at speed.
The model range for the Coupe was more limited than the roadster, and consisted the six-cylinder 3.0i and Z4M models. Transmission choices were a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic with shift paddles.
Chassis and body
Compared with its Z3 predecessor, the Z4 is larger and has a stiffer chassis. As per the Z3, the front suspension is a Macpherson strut design. The rear suspension uses a multi-link design, instead of the semi-trailing design used by the Z3. Some reviewers have criticised the ride quality for being too harsh, and observed excessive bump steer from the rear suspension.
The Z4 used lightweight materials to offset the increased weight over the smaller Z3, such as an aluminium hood and suspension components, magnesium roof frame. Run-flat tires removed the need for a spare tire, which reduces weight and allows for a larger trunk.
Equipment
The 6-cylinder engines included all-alloy construction, variable valve timing (double-VANOS) and throttle by wire. Safety technology included four-wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control, incorporating ABS and traction control.
An optional "Sport Package" included added stiffer and lower suspension, 18 inch wheels, and sport tuned electronic steering, throttle and shift parameters ("Dynamic Driving Control").
Electric power steering replaced the traditional hydraulic power steering used by the Z3. The power assist is speed-sensitive, allowing for easier manoeuvering at low speeds. The steering has been criticised for lacking feedback. However, the Z4 M uses hydraulic power steering, and has been judged as having a more direct and communicative feel to the steering.
Transmissions
The available transmissions were:
- 5-speed manual Getrag S5D250G (2.2i, 2.5i)
- 6-speed manual ZF GS6-17BG (2.0i)
- 6-speed manual ZF GS6-37BZ (3.0i, Z4M)
- 5-speed automatic ZF 5HP19 (2.2i, 2.5i, 3.0i)
- 6-speed automatic ZF 6HP19 (3.0si)
- 6-speed automated manual SMG-II (2.5i, 3.0i)
Models
* The 2.0i was only sold in Europe.
US models include 2.5i Roadster, 3.0i Roadster, 3.0si Roadster & Coupé, M Roadster & Coupé.
All models are E85 roadsters except as noted. European specifications shown. North American vehicles have slightly lower power ratings, due to lower compression ratios necessitated by fuel quality issues.
Z4 M versions
The Z4 M Coupe/Roadster was introduced in 2006 and is powered by the S54 straight-six engine from the E46 M3. The S54 was also on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2001 through 2004. North American Z4 M models produce 330 bhp (246 kW), 3 hp less than the North American M3. In other markets, the power output is the same 252 kW (338 bhp) as the M3.
The Z4 M uses hydraulic power steering, unlike the electric power steering used by the rest of the Z4 range. Other changes include a wider front track, revised front suspension and steering geometry.
The M coupe's production began at the Spartanburg BMW plant in Greer on 4 April 2006.
Special models
Concept Coupé Mille Miglia 2006
The Concept Coupé Mille Miglia 2006 is a concept car inspired by the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé. It was unveiled at the 2006 Mille Miglia rally in Italy.
Using the Z4 M Coupé's drive components, the concept car is 23 cm (9 in) longer, 14 cm (6 in) wider, and 23 cm (9 in) shorter than the Z4 M Coupé. Other features of the concept car include 20-inch alloy wheels with 245/40R20 tires, permanently integrated sidewalls, swing-up cockpit, LED headlight panel, silver-coloured carbon-fibre reinforced plastic body and an interior constructed from stainless steel, untreated cowhides and Lycra fabric.
The vehicle was designed by Anders Warming.
Model year changes
2005
- Four-cylinder model (2.0i) introduced.
2006 facelift
The Z4 facelift (also known as LCI) models were launched at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The major changes were:
- Coupe models introduced.
- Introduction of the M Roadster, powered by the S54 straight-six engine (the M Coupe began production a few months later, in April 2006)
- 2.2i model discontinued.
- Six-cylinder engines (aside from the M Roadster) upgraded from the M54 to the N52.
- Revised headlights, front bumper and tail lights.
- Six-speed automatic transmission becomes available.
- Six-speed manual transmission becomes standard equipment on all models.
Production
Over the Z4's life cycle, 197,950 vehicles had been produced, with 180,856 roadsters and 17,094 coupés.
The last of the first-generation Z4 (Z4 3.0si Roadster in Space Grey) rolled off the production line on 28 August 2008.
Roadsters
The Z4M Roadster had a total worldwide production of 5,070, including 3,042 cars for the North American market.
Coupes
The worldwide model breakdown for the E86 Coupe over the its life cycle (2006-2008) is 12,819 Z4 3.0si coupés, and 4,275 Z4M coupés. Even from its introduction in 2006, the Coupé was relatively rare: In its first 13 months on the market, the roadster outsold it at a ratio of 7 to 1. For the 3.0si coupe model, 1598 cars were produced with an manual transmission and 1998 cars with an automatic transmission.
The North American (United States and Canada) production total for coupe models is 3,919, comprising 1,815 M-Coupes and 2,104 were the 3.0si Coupes. Of the 2,104 3.0si Coupes produced for the North American market, 1,276 were automatics and 828 were manual transmission; the Z4M was only available with a manual transmission.
In North America the 3.0si coupe was only available for sale in the United States although a number were imported into Canada from the US.
The yearly breakdown of North American market coupe production totals are as follows:
Motorsport
Endurance racing
Dieter Quester, Dirk Werner, Jamie Campell-Walter and Tim Mullen won the Silverstone Britcar 24-Hour race with a BMW Z4 M Coupé. The unit of the racing version is a modified version of the S54B32 3.2-litre straight-six engine, producing approximately 294 kW (394 bhp). The car is made by BMW's M Division and called the Z4 M Coupé Motorsport.
In the 2008 Super Taikyu Endurance Series in Japan, the Petronas Syntium Team entered two Z4M cars. The cars dominated the series by taking first and second at every race, finishing the Super Taikyu 1 class in first and second place to win both the championship and drivers title. The Petronas Syntium Team earned 277 points, compared to the next placed team on 98 points. The cars were driven by established and popular drivers such as Nobuteru Taniguchi, Masataka Yanagida, Manabu Orido and father and son pairing of Hans-Joachim Stuck and Johannes Stuck.
The team of Bas Leinders secured pole position at the 2011 24 Hours of Spa in their Z4. This team did not finish, however the Z4 of Dirk Werner came 2nd in the race.
Super GT
In August 2008, a modified Z4 debuted in Round 6 of the Super GT season, marking BMW's return to the series after the M3 was retired from the JGTC series. It was run by the Studie team and participated in the GT300 class. The car was powered by a detuned version of the S62 V8 engine from the E39 M5. The Z4 competed in the 2009 Super GT season (aside from than Sepang Race), and they would replace their H-pattern to a sequential transmission, as well as their S62 Engine with an S65B40 after race 3, after they had suffered an unrepairable engine blow in race 2 at Suzuka. The car was retired at the end of the 2009 season, with its E89 Z4 GT3 successor making its debut in the 2010 season.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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