Performance Review: BMW Z4 sDrive28i - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Z4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Z4 sDrive28i is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2016. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 6.2 V8 and the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo.This particular BMW Z4 has a 1997cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Z4 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Z4's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe 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 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the BMW Z4 sDrive28i in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Z4 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1997cc 16V St4 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 1450 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 Z4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 (187.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Z4.

The BMW Z4 has a Power to weight ratio of 162.1 bhp per ton and 174.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 Z4 competing with the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 265 (187.0 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (186.7 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 Z4 generating around 174.3 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 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 GTR E46 (199.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (199.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the BMW Z4 sDrive28i as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This BMW Z4 sDrive28i is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Z4 and the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d

When talking about the performance of the BMW Z4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.99 secs @ 91.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 BMW Z4 35i sDrive 2d (14.92 secs), the 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T (14.92 secs), and the 2013 BMW X5 M50d 3.0 Diesel Turbo (14.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the BMW Z4 sDrive28i has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 Z4 equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive28i then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

2016 Z4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison