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Finished with the Mercedes SLK, Audi’s TT will soon be phased out and there are no more open models in the compact class. And at Mercedes, C- and E-class convertibles will be reduced to a single model in the future. Why? Even in the USA, the land of convertibles, the sun no longer likes to let it burn in your head. And as of today, they are not suitable as e-cars due to the lack of room for the battery. It is quite possible that the third generation BMW Z4 roadster, released in 2019, will not have a successor either.
It would be a shame, because after the last extensive refurbishment it offers a decent package of fresh air, driving features and a fun factor. The basic features remain unchanged, but the slightly modified radiator grille and the now always standard sports package give it a new look. Especially in Thundernight Metallic, a purple dye that makes passersby turn their heads, even in Miami, where celebrities are accustomed.
Made for Miami
The capital of the US state of Florida is just one of many sunny metropolises in the country. But only Florida is called the “Sunshine State”. Take the test tour on Ocean Drive. The inline six-cylinder engine in the Z4 M40i still produces 340 hp (250 kW). No one needs more, especially since the loud rumble it makes when turning eight gears has the potential to be addictive. Surprising: Nearly a quarter of all Z4s go to Germany, followed by the United States with 17 percent. The 4.32-foot-long two-seater fits Florida perfectly. The beach bag goes behind the two sports seats, while the rest goes into at least 281 liters of cargo space. That’s more than enough for a weekend in Key West.
The Roadster spins comfortably between Miami Beach, downtown and Key Biscayne, a retiree haven. It only catches us on highway ramps: In short, we select the gear manually in sport mode. Now the Z4 would accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. But here in Miami, and probably the whole of the USA, no one does, because looks are more important than the beginning. The Z4 will have all the necessary capabilities: a well-balanced chassis ultimately only weighs around 1.6 tons and has a maximum torque of up to 500 Newton meters (Nm). Made for European mountain roads.
Quick-opening sunroof
But in and around Miami, streets are wide and elevations are occasionally limited to dunes. On the go, the sports seats convince with surprising comfort – in the previous model, the upholstery was preserved for reasons of weight and space. In bad weather, there is enough space under the covered fabric roof. It can be opened electrically in about ten seconds – plus a few more seconds to lower the side windows. Of course, open-top driving at 27 degrees Celsius in the shade is out of the question.
Comfortable cruising in the Sunlight Condition has one advantage: the factory consumption of 8.1 l/100 km is easily attainable here. Prices for the revised BMW Z4 start at 55,400 francs for the base four-cylinder, while the top version M40i will cost at least 83,300 francs.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
