[supra93]

Up until now, we were lead to believe that the all-new Z4 will only be available in two configurations: s30i and M40i, both equipped as standard with the excellent 8-speed automatic from ZF.

BMW has steadily moved away from the manual gearbox, as fewer and fewer premium car buyers want to work the clutch. There are only a couple of M cars with stick shifters, and the new 5 Series can only be had as a 6-speed manual base 520d.

But here, we see the Z4 with a manual, which should bring prices down enough to compete with the Mercedes SLC, probably even the Audi TT, though it's not a direct rival. What next, turbocharged diesel engines?

The design of the dashboard is all-new and different to other BMWs. We have angular shapes on the console and an infotainment screen that sits much closer to the driver. The steering wheel is pulled off the 5 Series, and so is the digital dashboard. You can also check out a few new exterior details, like the taillights.

As for the specs, this s20i is powered by the B48B20O1 engine. Simply put, it's a de-tuned version of the B48 from something like the 330i sedan and is rated at 197 PS (195-hp / 145 kW) and 320 Nm of torque. The weight is said to be exactly 1,400 kilograms (that includes 90% fuel, fluids and a driver).

The start of production (SoP) for the Z4 S20i seems to be November 2018 according to the note. But we expect the more powerful versions to start their production at the same time or even earlier.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...ox-118043.html

[Flying Ace]

now this is a proper fucking car!

[Radmobile]

That steering wheel is atrocious. It looks like a Chevy Malibu with the flat controls:

[cwhands]

I'm more curious about that iDrive controller.... steering wheel looks like the one out of other G-chassis

[Josh (PA)]

Yeeaaaaa!!!! Manual Transmission. Hope that makes it to U.S.

[Eau_Rouge111]

As an owner of a Z4m hard top coupe...would be nice if they made another hard top coupe

[ORIGIN M.]

That might come much later. We'll see...

Toyota gets the Coupe to start, just as BMW only gets the ragtop.

Originally Posted by Eau_Rouge111

As an owner of a Z4m hard top coupe...would be nice if they made another hard top coupe

[ynguldyn]

So the real news here are:

1. SOP 11/18
2. It will get the TU engines right off the bat.

s20i is known (it's a ROW model only). The fact that it would have a manual was also a given. autoevolution should stop reading US sources and think they offer a complete picture.

[supra93]

Will this s20i be sold only in Europe? It just looks like a downgrade when compared to the sDrive28i. My apologies in advance. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to BMWs, especially when it comes to other models for other markets.

[Sharasuke]

The "canards"? are still there.

[Rick Hunter]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

now this is a proper fucking car!

Call me a traditionalist, but a proper manual car should also have a proper manual handbrake and not an electronic one.

I'd rarely pull on the handbrake like a hooligan, but I like to have that option to go apeshit sometimes.

[ORIGIN M.]

Good eye ynguldyn!!!

Cannot be a true sportscar without offering a manual IMHO.

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

So the real news here are:

1. SOP 11/18
2. It will get the TU engines right off the bat.

s20i is known (it's a ROW model only). The fact that it would have a manual was also a given. autoevolution should stop reading US sources and think they offer a complete picture.

Attachment 1627572

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Call me a traditionalist, but a proper manual car should also have a proper manual handbrake and not an electronic one.

I'd rarely pull on the handbrake like a hooligan, but I like to have that option to go apeshit sometimes.

you sir, are a proper fucking driver!

[Rick Hunter]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

you sir, are a proper fucking driver!

Takes one to know one, right?
Love your avatar BTW!

[goj]

Holy cow that front tire is stretched

[goj]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Call me a traditionalist, but a proper manual car should also have a proper manual handbrake and not an electronic one.

I'd rarely pull on the handbrake like a hooligan, but I like to have that option to go apeshit sometimes.

I drove a 7 speed manual 991 Carrera S. Let me tell you the electronic parking brake didn't keep the off my face!

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by goj

I drove a 7 speed manual 991 Carrera S. Let me tell you the electronic parking brake didn't keep the off my face!

You can turn that thing on a dime, no parking brake needed to truly move that car around.

[raysspl]

Top up it looks so good! Looks like the Boxster has some good competition again now.

[goj]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

You can turn that thing on a dime, no parking brake needed to truly move that car around.

Im sure this Z4 won't need one to turn on a dime either - not saying it will be a 911 but it will definitely handle well

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by raysspl

Top up it looks so good! Looks like the Boxster has some good competition again now.

Well it'll need to be lithe and nimble, and it's not going to get anywhere near the Boxster with the 20i engine. So let's hope that's the baby entry model, and that other models are 300+ and the M model gets over 400hp. One would assume the newly developed chassis can easily handle it.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by supra93

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...ox-118043.html

BMW has steadily moved away from the manual gearbox, as the manufacturer hopes fewer premium car buyers want to work the clutch.
There are only a couple of M cars with stick shifters, and the new 5 Series can only be had as a 6-speed manual base 520d.

Fixed..

[Rick Hunter]

That's assuming BMW will be smart enough this time around to reintroduce an M variant! They totally missed the boat on the E89.