Inside, while you may expect a minimalist interior, the Z4 brings loads of equipment and the DPT variant serves up a truly unique and delectable package. The seats and linings are upholstered in a combination of leather and alcantara, with a two-tone black/orange scheme. The trim also has a signature ‘Metal Weave’ finish and adds some contrast while amplifying the sporty character of the car. The headliner is finished in Anthracite from the very exclusive BMW Individual portfolio. The snug seats are comfortable and keep you in the midst of the action on the move.
However, there is a matter of storage of space, or rather the apparent lack of it. The door pockets are miniscule map units, and the centre console can only store so much under the armrest. However, thankfully, there’s is a storage box in the centre at the rear, which takes up a bit of the boot space. Speaking of which, you have 310 litres with the roof up, but 180 litres with the roof folded.
On to functionality, the BMW iDrive system puts full control of most car functions at your fingertips. The rotary knob on the centre console is easy to use and very convenient when coupled with the buttons, but until you get used to the system, it can be a little distracting on the move. The 8.8” high-res LCD screen returns a crisp display with easy readability. It also has a navigation system, voice control, park distance control, Bluetooth and USB connectivity as well as BMW Apps and BMW Live – all of which are part of the BMW ConnectedDrive experience, providing a modern interaction interface between car and user.
Of course, one of the main, if not the main feature, is the folding hard-top roof. The BMW Z4 Roadster can drop its top in 18 seconds flat, and makes for quite a sight when doing it. With the roof down and neatly tucked away, the next thing to do is push the Start button. The straight-six fires up with a growl and then settles into a relaxed burble at idle. That, then, is all the built-up excitement to get going that you would ever need.
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