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2006 BMW Z4 Coupe 3.0si

July 20, 2006 on 1:36 am | In Luxury Cars |

The Coupe corresponds mostly to the Z4, with its newly refined front end and hood lines; long-hood, cabin-back proportions; and double beltline in profile view. In particular, the lower, stylistically primary beltline begins above the outer headlight, curves upward over the wheels and then downward into the door, and “hikes“ sharply upward again, finally heading downward to conclude at the rear edge. Because the Coupe’s upper beltline has a visually longer continuity as it extends on past the new rear-quarter window with its characteristic BMW “reverse kink,“ the lower one even more boldly evokes the fender line of classic Grand Touring coupes, almost proclaiming for the Z4.

Even stronger in its aesthetic impact is the fastback roofline. For one thing, in cross-section its center depression or “trough“ is reminiscent of certain GT coupes of the Italian coachbuilder Zagato in the Fifties and later. In profile view, it flows in a line parallel to the side windows‘ top edge, then continues on down to meet a crisp, stand-out cutoff point that forms a rear spoiler. Then it concludes at the bumper as the bottom edge of a rear hatch.

This hatch, including the entire roof from the rear window’s top edge to the bumper, opens wide and high to provide excellent access to a relatively roomy cargo area that can accommodate two golf bags.

In its interior design, the Coupe adopts the primary design themes and materials of the Roadster 3.0si. BMW’s “High Performance“ leather upholstery is standard; the seats, upper door-panel inserts, console-side kneepads and center armpad are in this leather and it is available in three color schemes: Black, Dream Red/Black and Beige. Brushed-aluminum trim highlights the dash and console; Poplar Grain wood trim is available at no extra cost in Light or Dark tone. New to the Coupe, naturally, are its cloth headliner, in Gray or Beige according to interior color scheme, and the A-pillar trim is also distinct from that of its Roadster counterpart.

As in the Roadster, sport seats, with prominent cushion and backrest side bolsters to support occupants during energetic driving, are standard. Their standard adjustment is 6-way manual; available in the Premium Package or as a stand-alone option is 8-way power adjustment, with memory for the driver’s seat. M sport seats, also described under Options, are available in combination with the Sport Package.

The steering wheel has manual tilt/telescopic adjustment. A contemporary instrument cluster, with white-on-gray analog speedometer and tachometer, includes LED indicators in the dial faces and between the dials; fuel and temperature gauges are set into the tachometer face.

Most vehicle manufacturers’ 6-cylinder engines are in the V-6 format, whose compactness is advantageous for small or midsize cars with front-wheel drive. By contrast, BMW’s inline 6-cylinder engines are brilliant for their smoothness and sound, and BMW customers as well as professional auto critics have come to treasure them for these attributes. BMW has retained this inline format while developing it toward reduced weight, more compact dimensions – and even more brilliant performance, smoothness and sound. An increase in fuel efficiency and even tighter control of emissions were also set as goals for the new engine.

One thing’s for sure – only drivers who want the most extreme track day car will really need to spend an extra £10,000 on the flagship M Coupé. At £31,400, the 3.0-litre model is better value, and even offers a bigger boot – the range-topper has its battery in the back.

If you like your sports cars to handle the old-fashioned way, you’ll love the thrills the Z4 Coupé has to offer.