BMW steadfastly refuses to confirm that it will make the
Cayman S slaying Z4M we all want to see, but it has temporarily sated our appetites by offering this, the Z4 sDrive35is. The new car gets a stoked version of the 3.0-litre straight-six found in the
standard sDrive35i, uprated to 335bhp from 306bhp and 369lb.ft from 332lb.ft.
That torque figure comes thanks to an overboost function, though the standard 332lb.ft comes in at just 1,400rpm, and the rear-drive roadster will hit 62mph in just 4.8 seconds. A seven-speed, twin-clutch gearbox sends power to the rear wheels.
And if you've noticed the silver mirror caps, they're part of the M Sport package that the car gets over and above the regular 35i. The exhaust is unique and louder, and the suspension is of the M Sport variety (read: firm) lowers the car by 10mm. The electric steering rack is sharper and it gets brake energy capture to make it all nice and efficient. Not that buyers will be too bothered, but it's capable of 31.4mpg and 210g/km of CO
2. Mighty impressive given its performance.
No prices yet, but we'd be surprised if you get any change from £40k for one of these after it goes on sale in Spring - following a debut at the
Detroit Auto Show in January.
Mark Nichol - 15 Dec 2009
