The 2010 BMW Z4 will make its official debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January – but keep an eye on this website for special previews and leaked 2010 Z4 video – and check out the official BMW press release below with our stunning pictures.

More power, more efficiency, & more comfort. Two all-new BMW Z4 Roadster models raise the standard for style and dynamic performance.

Poised to lead its market segment once again, the 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster will make its North American debuts at the 2009 North American International Auto Show on January 11.

Return of a Classic

The classic roadster is back – more powerful and more stylish than ever before. It is the BMW Z4, the only car in its segment combining classic roadster proportions with a seating position moved close to the rear axle, rear-wheel drive, with a retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 offers all the driving pleasure of a BMW Roadster with particularly refined and stylish flair. Driving with the roof down, this two-seater offers a refreshingly intense experience of the sunshine and the wind rushing by – and driving with the hardtop closed it provides all the comfort of a sporting coupe in the premium segment. So through this diversity and wide range of qualities, the new BMW Z4 is the re-birth of the roadster.

The design of the new Z4 comes out through classic details interpreted in new, up-to-date style. This outstanding two-seater offers a unique combination of elegance, agility, and supreme comfort. The aluminum shells of the two-piece lightweight hardtop come to rest in the roof compartment, saving maximum space in the process. Even with the roof closed, the new Z4 retains the proportions typical of a genuine roadster.

To ensure driving pleasure, the new BMW Z4 is offered with two inline-6 engine displacing 3.0 liters: 300 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive35i and 255 hp in the BMW Z4 sDrive30i ensure truly outstanding acceleration and response at all times.

Comprehensive use of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies serves to provide an unparalleled balance of driving pleasure and fuel efficiency. While both models are available with a manual six-speed gearbox, the Z4 sDrive35i is available also with a dual-clutch sport automatic transmission featuring seven gears. The six-speed sport automatic is available on the Z4 sDrive30i. Both sport automatic transmissions feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Featuring Dynamic Drive Control as standard, the BMW Z4 enables the driver to choose between three drivetrain and suspension settings at the touch of a button.

Design: the modern look of a classic roadster.

The new BMW Z4 takes on the classic look of the roadster in modern, flowing lines. The car’s proportions are borne out by the long and low-slung engine compartment lid, short overhangs, the long wheelbase and large wheels as well as the low seating position near the rear axle.

The front view features a large, upright BMW kidney grille, wide air intake and the dual round headlights, typical of the BMW brand. All surfaces and lines, including the character lines on the hood, strive towards an imaginary target point on the road ahead.

The side view is dominated by the dynamic flow of the car’s shoulder line connecting the front and rear wheel arches and accentuating the stretched, athletic look of the Roadster. The horizontal orientation of the car’s lines and surfaces at the rear, in turn, emphasizes the sheer width of the new BMW Z4. Further characteristics are the extra-large hood extending far over the wheel arches, the black A-pillars, the gills at the side with their integrated LED direction indicators, as well as the slender rear fixtures with three-dimensional LED-fed rows of light.

Stylish, sophisticated, and typical of a genuine roadster: the interior.

For harmonious unison of the exterior and interior so important in an open-air car, the shoulder line is reflected by the door panels with their unique configuration and flow from front to rear.

The contoured surface to the left and right of the steering wheel incorporates the controls for the lights and air conditioning. These elements are available trimmed in Satin Silver matte, Brushed Aluminum, and Ash Grain Wood, the respective color and trim variant also being used on the center console and door handle.

The standard seats with integrated headrests on the BMW Z4 sDrive35i feature high-quality Kansas leather in a choice of three colors. A fourth choice, Ivory White Nappa leather, is also available as part of the Exclusive Ivory White Leather Package, which includes sport seats and Anthracite wood trim.

An Extended Leather option (Z4 sDrive35i only) adds leather on the upper section of the instrument panel, the doorsills, the sun visors in Black leather as well as the leather-finish door closing handles in upholstery color on the passenger’s side.

The entire range of paintwork colors available on the new BMW Z4 is made up of no less than nine color tones including Orion Silver metallic exclusive to the new Roadster.

Cycling in 20 seconds: the retractable hardtop.

The new BMW Z4 is the first BMW roadster to protect its occupants from wind and weather with a fully retractable hardtop. This two-piece lightweight aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds. The compact packaging of the folding roof enables the Z4 Roadster to retain the ­characteristic, slender proportions of its predecessor.

This innovative roof system offers outstanding acoustic and aerodynamic qualities and sets a new standard in the Z4’s segment. Large windows and the high-quality roof lining give the hardtop a light look. Driver and passenger enjoy a bright ambiance, generous space, and optimum visibility. Compared with the former model, the side windows are 40% larger, the see-through area in the rear window 52% larger, and all-round visibility increased14% over the previous generation.

The glass rear window in the hardtop is equipped with an electric defroster and the four side windows of the new BMW Z4 may be lowered individually. The higher roof line and larger door openings allow easier and more convenient access with the roof closed.

The retractable roof may be operated either by a switch in the center console or by remote control key fob when equipped with optional Comfort Access. Comfort Access also allows convenient loading and unloading of the luggage compartment with the roof open. To provide access to the luggage compartment in this case, the open hardtop is moved to an interim position facilitating the removal of large objects.

BMW Press Release:

Dr. Michael Ganal dies after severe illness

Munich. Dr. Michael Ganal, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, died last week in the night from Thursday to Friday at the age of 54 after a severe illness. He had been a Member of the Company’s Board of Management since October 2000 and was last responsible for the Finance Division in his position as Chief Financial Officer.

Professor Joachim Milberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW AG: “The news of Dr. Ganal’s death has painfully torn apart our great hopes that he would be able to recover from his severe illness and resume his position on the Board of Management of BMW AG. We are losing not only an outstanding leader and a strong personality, but also and in particular a man who in recent years has contributed decisively to the success and the culture of our Company. Until the end he fought against his illness with all the power of his strong will and with sheer unflinching energy. On behalf of the Supervisory Board and the share-holders of the company I wish to express our deepest, heartfelt sympathy to
Dr. Ganal’s family.”

Dr. Ganal joined BMW AG in 1986 and was appointed a Member of the Board of Management in October 2000, where initially he was responsible for the Sales and Marketing Division. At the time he played a leading role in successfully implementing a product and market initiative quite unparalleled in the history of the company. Since October 2007 Dr. Ganal had been in charge of the Finance Division.

The Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, has taken notice of Dr. Ganal’s death with great regret: “Dr. Ganal was an absolutely outstanding man through his profound expertise and his strong power of getting things done. He was a fascinating leader of people and a top executive in the most positive sense of the word. This enabled him not only to convince colleagues, employees and customers of his cause, but rather to genuinely thrill them and win them over. “

Speaking on behalf of the Employees’ Representatives, Manfred Schoch, the Chairman of the Overall Works Council of BMW AG, expressed an equally clear opinion: “Through the death of Dr. Ganal we are losing a self-confident and open partner. In all our professional debates and points of contention he always remained absolutely straightforward and firmly on the ground – and even in challenging times he always kept his focus on the concerns and worries of all the employees of the company.”

German tuners Hamann have taken an all new BMW X6 and tuned this puppy into a lean, mean luxury machine. They’ve supercharged the engine and transformed BMW’s standard V6 into a 3.5 liter powerplant, pumping out upwards of 320 horsepower. Interior and exterior have also been advanced to give this special X6 a superior look, which will no doubt catch a few glimpses while on the road. More with BMW’s official press release and photos below.

HAMANN Motorsport sharpens the driving performance and image of the BMW X6 – With the X6, the BMW program offers a car which does not only have the characteristics of an SUV, but also of a sports coupe. As a certified specialist for sport accessories, HAMANN-Motorsport is especially focusing on the driving dynamics segment of this Crossover model. For this reason, the technicians are refining the aerodynamics, motor and running gear. The modifications turn the X6 into an automobile which makes nearly every wish come true as far as performance is concerned. But the Laupheim-based refiner can do even more: an extensive interior and rim-program completes the X6 refinement and makes the automobile stand out against the vast number of other upper class SUVs.

Inspiring torque enhancement – The range of HAMANN performance enhancement is as manifold as the choice of BMW motors. Thus, the technology specialist equips the X6 xDrive35i with a motor performance of 360 hp / 265 kW at 5,230 rpm. At the same time, the maximum torque rises by 140 Nm to 540 Nm within the speed range from 1,300 to 5,000 rpm. Thereby, HAMANN also suspends the 250 km/h limit and allows an impressive speed of 275 km/h. The Diesel version is also provided with extra power. After re-programming the serial motronics, the xDrive30d renders 265 hp / 195 kW and draws a maximum torque of 600 Nm to the crankshaft. The motor version xDrive35d turns into an enormously powerful sprinter as well. The engineers from Laupheim were able to tease 320 hp / 235 kW and a sensational torque of 660 Nm at 2,000 rpm out of the self-igniting engine. Moreover, the sport mufflers by HAMANN-Motorsport are adjusted to the various performance kits. The product range does not only offer a double-pipe, but also a four-pipe system which renders a sonorous and earthy sound.

Fascinating design is matched with functional aerodynamics – The exclusive HAMANN auto body program renders an optimal airflow over the car silhouette. The body kit consists of a sportive and energetic front skirt with integrated LED daytime running lights, a three-part rear casing and an attractive roof spoiler. For additional output on the rear axle, the customer can either opt for a small restrained or large and prominent rear spoiler. According to customer specifications, the BMW specialist can also replace the serial bonnet with an ultra-light carbon version.

Rims in ultra format – Single or multi-part, sportive and striking or elegant and noble – HAMANN offers a wide range of wheel designs in different sizes. The ultimate rim is a 23-inch version called DESIGN EDITION RACE ANODIZED for the X6 wheel arches. The ultra-light forged wheel combines power and elegance. The black varnished rim star and the titanium bolting both emphasis the dynamics of the wheel. The highly polished rim flange on the other hands implies a noble appearance. HAMANN offers the 23-inch wheel with tires measuring 315/25R23 from 9,385 euros. The new aluminum wheels with special running gear springs are perfectly put into focus. Thereby, progressively coiled springs lower the SUV´s center of gravity by maximally 40 mm at the front- and rear axle.

Perfected technology for the interior – In addition to the consisting serial interior equipment, HAMANN offers accessories made of high-quality aluminium. Pedals and foot rests render motorsports flair and perfectly match the 12-part HAMANN decoration set made of carbon fibre. An instrument dial with a scaling up to 300 km/h and a three-spoke sport steering wheel render an additional energetic overall impression.