Z4 with new engine at the New York Motor Show

BMW has announced another, more economical engine choice for the Z4 Roadster.  The newly developed 2.0-liter 4 cylinder “TwinPower Turbo” engine will develop 240 horsepower (176 kW). It features BMW’s double VANOS variable camshaft control system, high pressure, high precision fuel injectors and an all-aluminum crankcase. Despite the nomenclature, this is a single-turbo engine; the turbo is powered via two “TwinPower Turbo” exhaust ducts.

The new variant will be called the Z4 sDrive28i. While it does give up a little in the “go” department, the smaller, lighter aluminum intensive engine should provide the Z4 with better balance and weight distribution. It should also be less expensive on all fronts. Further, it will help bring BMW’s corporate C.A.F.E average up in the United States.

The new 2.0-liter engine is the same unit that will power the upcoming BMW X1 and will likely see duty in the 1 series coupe as well. BMW claims the new engine provides, “increased torque, improved performance and much reduced fuel consumption and emissions levels as compared to the existing 6-cylinder induction engine model BMW Z4 sDrive30.”  Additionally, the new 2.0-liter gives up just 18 horsepower (13.4 kW) to the bigger BMW 6-cylinder in the Z4 sDrive30.

Pricing, torque figures, performance numbers for the Z4 sDrive28i as well as the final emissions and fuel economy figures are still being finalized but should be announced in the next few weeks. The new Z4 sDrive28i will be available later this year.