Performance Review: BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Alpina Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular BMW Alpina has a 3346cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Alpina shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Alpina's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1320 kgs (2910 lbs) this makes the BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S in the same weight category as the 2020 McLaren 765LT 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Alpina shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3346cc 24V V6 engine produces 300 bhp (223 kW) @ 6300 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 267 lb-ft (362.0 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW Alpina you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (252.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Alpina.

The BMW Alpina has a Power to weight ratio of 227.2 bhp per ton and 202.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 Alpina competing with the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (252.2 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Mercedes SL Class 73 AMG V12 R129 (252.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW Alpina generating around 202.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (227.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 (227.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Alpina and the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW Alpina on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.42 secs @ 102.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1965 Iso Grifo GL 300 5.4L V8 (13.37 secs), the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive F30 LCI (13.37 secs), and the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (13.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S has a maximum speed of 165mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 Alpina equals the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 BMW Alpina Z4 Roadster S then how about the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (176 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (176 mph).

Related Links:

2004 Alpina Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison