Now introduced in the form of the new BMW Z4 sDrive20i and BMW Z4 sDrive28i M Sport, the new cars feature the BMW Group’s newly introduced two litre four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology for both increased power and fuel efficiency
The two-litre turbo engines of both variants come with twin-scroll turbocharging, VALVETRONIC variable valve control and Double-Vanos variable camshaft control, translating to outputs of 184hp and 270Nm of torque in the Z4 sDrive20i and 245hp and 350Nm of torque in the Z4 sDrive28i M Sport.
Through the use of lightweight all-aluminium crankcases, both variants also feature lower front-axle loads which have further improved agility and handling compared to their predecessors.
The Z4 interior.
The Z4 sDrive20i achieves the 0-100kph sprint in 7.2 seconds whilst the Z4 sDrive28i M Sport is able to do so in 5.7 seconds.
Both models consume a total of 6.8 litres per 100 kilometre with carbon emissions amounting to a low 159 grams per kilometre.
The Z4 now introduces Brake Energy Regeneration as standard feature.
Both come with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddles on the sport steering wheel, replacing the 6-speed automatic transmission of its predecessor.
BMW boasts that the new gearbox will allow for a smoother driving experience while providing the efficiency to match that of a double-clutch system.
BMW said the Z4's clientele are the driving enthusiasts and the fashion-conscious crowd.
On the other hand, the M5 is aimed at the businessman who seeks daily useability and instant sports performance (We had a first drive in the car in Spain last year.)
Unlike the previous M5, the fifth generation model is now powered by a new high-revving 4.4 litre V8 engine with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology including two TwinScroll turbochargers, a single exhaust manifold serving each cylinder bank, BMW’s High Precision Injection direct injection system,
VALVETRONIC infinitely variable inlet valve lift control and Double-Vanos variable camshaft control to ensure that the car remains the world’s most successful high performance sedan in the premium segment of the executive class.
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Details on the 2017 BMW M5 with 600hp and 750Nm of torque
The M5.
The car promises superior revving ability, high pulling power, an aggressively precise engine sound and high efficiency.
The centrepiece is the engine of course and it's the most powerful mill BMW has ever created.
The latest M5 cranks out a whopping 560hp, a 10% improvement over the previous edition’s hefty V10 engine.
Maximum torque has also been raised by 30% giving the M5 a staggering 680Nm of torque, which allows the car to hit the 0-100 kph mark in 4.3 seconds.
The personality of the new car’s V8 engine can also be influenced at the touch of the button, which is placed on the centre console where drivers are able to choose from “Efficient”, “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes.
The individual modes changes the engine’s response time in line with driver preferences and allows for instantaneous adaptation from a focus on comfort and maximised fuel efficiency to sporty dynamic performance or an extremely fast engine response.
“What customers will most appreciate about the new BMW M5 is the brutal and enduring pulling power which is instantly available from the moment the driver presses down on the accelerator pedal," said BMW Group Malaysia managing director Geoffrey Briscoe.
"What they will likely find most endearing, however, is the tremendous amount of fuel saved when doing this in the M5 in comparison to any other car in its class. This is what the new BMW M5 is all about – sheer performance and sheer efficiency.”
Consuming an average of just 9.9 litres for every 100km, the M5 requires over 30% less fuel than its predecessor, which combined with an increased fuel tank capacity to 80 litres, gives it a range extension by more than 50%.
Briscoe posing with the M5.
Familiar BMW EfficientDynamics features such as Brake Energy Regeneration and the Auto Start/ Stop function are also fitted as standard in the M5, improving consumption levels even further.
Externally, the M5 retains muscular and refined proportions which suggests high levels of day-to-day sophistication and comfort but with the M-specific pointers that hint at its sporty inclination.
The M5 also sports the characteristic dual-twin exhausts for which the M range has been historically known for.
The cabin extends the premium sports car appeal.
Controls around the car’s gear selector enable the driver to choose highly customisable settings for Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), engine response, steering and damper parameters as well as the BMW M Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) Drivelogic gearshift program.
Cockpit displays are further accentuated by the M-style red indicator needles and white lighting of circular dials.
Multifunctional M seats and an M leather steering wheel are also standard.
Rounding off the package are Dynamic Damper Control, M Servotronic steering assist, High-performance compound brakes, which allows the car to decelerate as precisely as it accelerates, and the M-specific BMW Head-up Display which projects vital driving information directly into the drivers line-of-sight thus improving response time and safety.
The price for all these? The Z4 sDrive20i is priced at RM358,800 (OTR excluding insurance), the Z4 sDrive28i M Sports at RM488,800, and the M5 at RM898,800.
According to BMW Group Malaysia product manager Kidd Yam, both models have been "tropicalised" with improved cooling through adjustments in the electronics controlling the cooling sub-system.
To another question, he said the engines of both cars were "robust enough" to accept Malaysian fuel quality.
The launch of both models were held at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort here, the venue for the BMW Malaysian Open 2012, which runs from Feb 27 to March 4.
This is the second year BMW is sponsoring the tennis tournament. It is also supplying a fleet of 730Li, which will be used as the official cars for the shuttling of players as well as VIPs.
The resort was also the same venue where the locally assembled four-cyclinder 520d was introduced to the Malaysian public on March 1 last year.
