A week after Toyota pulled the thunder from under the rug of BMW PH, the boys from SMC Asia Car Distributor Corporation, the exclusive distributor of the BMW brand in the domestic market, took the wraps off the Z4. The Toyota Supra is largely based on the Z4, so in anticipation of a possible publicity coup, Toyota’s iconic sports car was launched at the Toyota Festival of Speed a week earlier from the BMW Z4 launch. The Z4 shared the limelight with the 3-Series sedan.

Owning a 3-Series M is a statement that you

have made it to the top of the food chain.

The 2019 iteration of the Z4 is a modern interpretation of BMW’s well-loved roadster that continues the classic low stance, sporty, compact, yet elegant appearance. The all-new BMW roadster packs a punch with a 197-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine lurking underneath its the elongated hood. Stepping back a bit to admire its low-slung stance, the current version is 85 millimeters (mm) longer than it’s predecessor and is 74 mm wider and 13 mms taller. The new Z4 follows the design cues introduced by BMW on the 8-Series coupe. The wide haunches, tail lights and fluid form design gives off an aggressive look that could make any sports car on the road cringe in fear. Think of it as a muscular brute walking down the street looking for a brawl.

Inside the cockpit of the Z4 is a digital gauge cluster with a large screen that shows the tachometer and speedometer in an unconventional arrangement, and could be customized depending on the owners whims and taste. A centrally located infotainment screen that BMW calls the “Live Cockpit Professional” works in tandem with the iDrive module that also controls the dash display that sits next to the electronic shift knob.

This Z4 packs a punch with 340bhp lurking under the hood.

The Z4 is available in the local market in two levels of trim. First is the base Z4 sDrive 20i that comes in a Sport Line version with a high-gloss black on its front cross member, rear apron inserts and rolls on 18-inch wheels. The higher end Z4 M40i exudes a more sportier character whose exterior is wrapped in a Cerium Grey accents all around that runs up to its famed kidney grille, exterior mirror caps, trapezoidal exhaust pipes, and shod with massive 19-inch wheels. The M40i also brings to the fight a more powerful engine that can kick any JDM sports cars rear ends with a turbocharged 3.0-liter, in-line six capable of 340 bhp.

Sitting across the Z4 is a beefed-up version of the popular 3-Series sedan, which has racked up an impressive 15 million units sold since its introduction in May 1975. Targeted towards mid-level executives or successful young entrepreneurs, the BMW 330i M Sport could ferry them across town with a Twin Power turbo 2.0-liter engine churning out a whopping 258 bhp. It can hold its own against any competition, thanks to a 50:50 weight distribution cleverly distributed along its lighter chassis and suspension tweaks. This seventh generation sedan is longer, wider and taller than the previous generation.

From left: Jomar Ang of San Miguel Corporation; Spencer Yu, president of SMC Asia Cars Distributors Corporation; Christopher Whener, managing director, BMW Group Asia; Preeti Gupta, corporate affairs director, BMW Group Asia; and Sue Ann Phoon, area sales manager, BMW Group Asia.

Price points of the Z4 starts at P3.9 million for the entry level sDrive 20i, to as high as P5.790 million for the higher version M40i. For the 3-Series M Sport variant, start clocking in those overtime with the company and be prepared to part with a chunk change of P4.59 million.

And for your car care and accessory needs visit Blade Auto Center outlets nationwide or shop online at www.blade.ph 

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Sparco, DUB, MicroMagic, Goodyear, Polaroid, Mothers, Pioneer, Pertua, Chupa Chups and many more.