2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe

The BMW Z4 M Coupe is a sports car for very special moments – moments the driver may well experience every mile on the road. Uncompromising, purist, and extremely powerful, this two-seater offers an unparalleled experience of undiluted dynamism both in everyday traffic and on the race track. Indeed, the unique character of this equally unique sportscar is expressed most convincingly by its high standard of agility and spontaneity in responding to all of the driver's commands. The design of this two-door sports machine with its sleek roof extending down to the rear in typical coupe style and the “Hofmeister kick” characteristic of all BMW models. The passenger compartment merges dynamically into the rear end of the car, giving the rear wheel arches a particularly powerful and muscular look.

BMW's new two-seater is powered by the same prize-winning 3.2-litre straight-six M engine also featured in the BMW M3 and the BMW Z4 Roadster. The engine's performance figures are indeed impressive at very first sight: 3,246 cc displacement, 333 bhp maximum output at an engine speed of 7,900 rpm, maximum engine speed of 8,000 rpm. And no less than 80 per cent of the engine's maximum torque of 262 lb-ft is available at the driver's request from just 2,000 rpm. Output per liter is 103 bhp, giving the Z4 M Coupe a power-to-weight ratio of just 9.9 lb/bhp. Acceleration to 60 mph comes in 4.8 seconds and top speed is limited electronically to 155 mph.

The concept of a high-speed engine is particularly impressive whenever the torque available is converted into optimum thrust and power on the road by a short overall transmission ratio. And precisely this is what the BMW Z4 M Coupe has to offer, with its six-speed manual gearbox laid out for optimum performance throughout the engine's entire gearshift and speed range. Short gearshift travel, precise action of the shift lever, and close increments between the six gears – these are the typical features of this outstanding transmission.

The superior engine and drivetrain of the Z4 M Coupe are matched by an equally superior high-performance suspension. Just how perfectly all the car's components harmonize with one another is clearly proven by the Z4 M Coupe on the Nordschleife, the Northern Circuit of Nurburgring, where the Z4 M Coupe outperforms the lap times of even the M3 and the Z4 M Roadster.

The chassis and suspension of the Z4 M Coupe is identical in many respects to the chassis and suspension of the BMW M3, with a wide range of shared components. One example is the M differential lock on the rear axle, while the highly effective 18-inch compound brake system comes straight from the BMW M3 CSL. BMW's DSC Dynamic Stability Control, in turn, supplements the suspension with its significant safety reserves whenever the going gets critical.

The interior of the BMW Z4 M Coupe combines a modern ambience in sporting and purist look with a supreme standard of sophisticated style, design and function all coming together in one harmonious concept. The cockpit is tailored consistently to the driver, with all controls and instruments placed perfectly on or around the steering wheel for supreme ergonomics.