BMW Z4

What is the BMW Z4?

The BMW Z4 is a two-seat sports roadster for open-air motoring. Its compact cabin and long bonnet give it the familiar proportions of a classic roadster. With the roof down, the drive is all about the open cabin; with it up, the Z4 remains a coupé-like choice for everyday trips.

The Z4 carries on BMW’s tradition of open-top sports cars. Its second generation introduced a retractable hardtop, while the third returned to a fabric roof. Through those changes, the two-seat roadster layout has remained at the heart of the model.

Generations

The first generation, E85 roadster and E86 coupé, ran from 2003 to 2008. The E86 added a fixed-roof option. The second generation, E89, followed from 2009 to 2016, with a retractable hardtop that opened or closed at the touch of a button. The third generation, G29, has been sold from 2019 to 2026 in the listed figures. It brought back a soft top.

Engines and fuel consumption

The Z4 has used petrol engines across the listed markets. EU registration figures span 2.0 to 3.0 litres and 115 kW (156 PS) to 250 kW (340 PS). In the UK, the engine range runs from 2.0 to 3.2 litres, with power from 145 kW (197 PS) to 250 kW (340 PS). The US range covers 2.0 to 3.2 litres, while Canada’s spans 2.0 to 3.0 litres. One of the most registered EU versions was the 2.0-litre petrol rated at 135 kW (184 PS).

The lowest stated consumption in EU registration figures is 6.6 L/100 km on WLTP. The UK’s lowest is 6.8 L/100 km on NEDC; France’s is 6.8 L/100 km on WLTP. The US EPA figure is 8.4 L/100 km, equivalent to 28 MPG combined, and Canada’s lowest is 8.1 L/100 km on the NRCan 5-cycle test. WLTP and NEDC in Europe, EPA in the US and Canada’s 5-cycle procedure use different methods, so market figures are not direct comparisons.