Global media treated to BMW's new Z4

The brand new BMW Z4 Roadster is the brand's latest addition to a long line of roadsters. The new Z4 is a premium open-top sports car boasting a classic fabric soft-top, an emotion-packed body design and a puristic, driver-focused interior. 

Compared to its predecessor, the new BMW Z4 has grown 85mm longer, 74mm wider and 13mm taller. However, the wheelbase has been shortened by 26mm to sharpen the car's agility.

Also, the car has notably wider tracks than before - 98mm more at the front and 57mm more at the rear. The rigidity of the body structure and chassis mountings have been increased, while the redesigned front and rear axles give the car a sportier edge.

Additionally, a low centre of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution further contribute to the car's dynamism. Visually, the car has a clear and precise design language and a number of signature details. With its new-look mesh-design BMW kidney grille and a vertical head light arrangement (a first), the car cuts an unmistakable figure from the front.

The elongated bonnet with arrow-shaped contour lines directed at the kidney grille straddles the wheel arches, while the joins at the bonnet's sides merge into the upper character line that runs back along the flanks all the way to the tail lights. The rear is also purposefully muscular, with the boot lid's integral spoiler, slender L-shaped light units and a rear diffuser. 

Inside, the new Z4 driver-focused cockpit design features electroplated detailing that adds to the roadster's sophisticated ambience. The car also comes equipped with BMW's latest Operating System 7.0, including a the BMW Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster and the Control Display, both of which are 10.25-inches wide.

Additionally, the boot capacity is 281 litres whether the soft-top is open or closed, an increase of more than 50% compared to the outgoing model.

The new Z4 also comes equipped with an extensive suite of safety systems. The Collision Warning, Pedestrian Warning with City Braking function and Lane Departure Warning system all come as standard.

The list of options includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, distance information, the Lane Change Warning System, Rear Collision Prevention and Cross-Traffic Alert, plus the Speed Limit Info system with No Passing Info display and - for the first time in a roadster - the BMW Head-Up Display. The Parking Assistant suite of driver assistance systems are also available. 

At launch, the Z4 Roadster will be available with three powertrain options. The M40i is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing 335bhp and 500Nm of torque.

The sDrive30i will be powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine with 255bhp and 400Nm of torque, while the sDrive20i will have a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 194bhp and 320Nm of torque. All three variants will be equipped with the latest generation eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. 

Not inclusive of COE, the M40i is estimated to cost under $300,000, while the sDrive30i will roughly cost around $250,000. The sDrive20i is estimated to cost approximately $220,000. The new BMW Z4 is expected to be available in Singapore by the second quarter of 2019.