BMW Z4 roadster promises driving pleasure

BMW Z4 roadster promises driving pleasure

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Famous Kuta beach was visible when my plane was on its final
approach before landing at Ngurah Rai International Airport last
week.

It was such a pity that I did not have the time to enjoy the
bustling beach and its cafe-packed vicinity, as I already had a
date with BMW's latest toy, the BMW Z4 Roadster.

As soon as I'd checked out of the airport at about 1:30 p.m.,
the cute lil' monster was already there to take me up to Amanusa
Hotel in Nusa Dua.

I decided to let Deni drive the roadster first as I wanted to
try out the seating in the other seat. Well, there are only two
seats.

The roadster is indeed a spacious car, despite its rather
limited dimensions: about 4.1 meters long, 1.8 meters wide and
1.3 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.5 meters.

We decided to have lunch first at the hotel before taking it
down the road for a photo session while awaiting the photographer
from The Jakarta Post's Bali office, Murdani Usman.

Murdani decided to start the photo session at the hotel
premises and then we went to Sawangan.

By this point I hadn't tested the roadster to its limits, as
we were still driving in Nusa Dua.

But I could feel its power, driven by an inline, 6-cylinder
engine displacing 2,979 cc. The engine produces 231 horsepower
(hp) at 5,900 revs per minute (rpm), with a maximum torque of 300
Newton-meter at 3,500 rpm.

The engine is similar to that powering the sporty BMW 330i,
but the Z4 has more power. No wonder, because the roadster weighs
1,385 kilograms (kg), lighter than its sedan cousin at 1,540 kg.

The powerful engine provides powerful acceleration from
stationery to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) in 6.2 seconds. The
roadster has a maximum speed of 244 kph.

After the photo session, we drove the car to Kuta where we had
dinner at Made's Warung. We certainly attracted the attention of
passersby as well as cafe patrons.

"Wow, nice car. Take us for a ride!" a group of Western girls
shouted at us. Too bad there were only two seats!

Tagged at Rp 904 million (US$110,000), the Z4's design is a
balance between power and finesse, carefully chiseled form and
pleasing style, and meets all the functional elements that are
required from a world-class roadster.

The roadster has two waistlines. The lower one extends from
the engine compartment lid across the door, while the upper
waistline, by contrast, extends in a powerful arch from the
beginning of the compartment lid all the way to the rear. The
unique BMW emblem is integrated with the side indicator on the
car's flanks, behind the front wheel arches.

Returning to the hotel, I started to experience the car's real
ability as the streets were not so crowded late at night along
the bypass.

The roadster has a special "Sports" button that gives more
power. This is not the usual button on the transmission lever but
is located on the dashboard.

The powerful engine gets a kick when using the dynamic driving
control (DDC) button, which gives maximum power earlier than
usual in "Sports" mode.

As soon as I stepped on the accelerator the roadster vroomed
with its engine hood rising, just as a speedboat usually does.

I could accelerate the car to 140 kph, although I had to hit
the brake pedal every now and then to avoid other, slower cars.

"I did reach a speed of 200 kph but did it at about 2 a.m.,
when practically no other cars were around. But I hit the brake
pedal fast because my adrenaline was really pumped up," said
Deni.

Well, I did not have time to try the car in the wee hours
because we planned to visit Eka Karya Botanical Gardens in
Bedugul, Tabanan, on Thursday.

We left the hotel at about 6:30 a.m. to avoid the early
morning traffic congestion. Well, we did get trapped a bit on the
highway but it gave other motorists a glimpse of the roadster.

Several senior high school students riding motorcycles pointed
at us, err... the roadster, in admiration.

Reaching Denpasar's western outskirts was quite an ordeal
because the highway was the major route linking Denpasar with
Gilimanuk port, Bali's entry point from Java. There were trucks,
plenty of them, heading for Denpasar and vice versa, with their
usual black smoke, of course. Fortunately we soon made a right
turn and headed northward.

Then we had the opportunity to really step on the accelerator
pedal as the highway seemed deserted.

The botanical gardens looked like the one at Puncak, Bogor,
West Java. Indeed, Bedugul is one of many beautiful places in the
highlands of Bali.

The BMW Z4 did not find it difficult to take in its stride the
steep, twisty road, thanks to the "Sport" button giving extra
power.

After a brief visit to the gardens, we returned home, as
another group of journalists was already waiting their turn. As
for myself, I packed my bags and returned to Jakarta, this time
not regretting that I hadn't plunged into the sea off Kuta beach.

I BOX:

Specifications BMWZ4 3.0i

Dimensions
Overall length 4,091 mm
Overall width 1,781 mm
Height 1,299 mm
Wheelbase 2,495 mm
Luggage compartment capacity 240-260 liter

Weight 1,385 kg

Engine
Cylinders/valves 6/4
Capacity 2979 cc
Maximum output 231 hp at 5,900 rpm
Maximum torque 300 Nm at 3,500 rpm

Transmission 5 speed Steptronic

Fuel Consumption
Tank Capacity 55 liter
Fuel Consumption: city 13.5 liter/100 km

Wheels Alloy
Tire dimensions 225/45/R17
Wheel dimensions 8Jx17

Driving Performance
Top Speed 244 km.h
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 6.2 seconds