Performance Review: BMW Z4 sDrive35is - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW Z4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is is the 7 speed / Auto 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 2979cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Z4 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Z4'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 1610 kgs (3549 lbs) this makes the BMW Z4 sDrive35is in the same weight category as the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Roadster 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW Z4 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 5900 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 369 lb-ft (500.2 Nm) @ 1500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i (233.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW Z4.

The BMW Z4 has a Power to weight ratio of 208.0 bhp per ton and 229.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 Z4 competing with the 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i (233.0 bhp per ton) or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (232.8 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 229.1 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 2017 BMW 5 Series M5 F10 (254.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Holden HSV GTS Supercharger (254.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the BMW Z4 sDrive35is as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs). This BMW Z4 sDrive35is is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Z4 and the 2008 Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6

When talking about the performance of the BMW Z4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.94 secs @ 98.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Volkswagen-VW Passat R36 3.6 V6 (13.88 secs), the 2013 Porsche Macan S 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (13.88 secs), and the 2012 Lexus LS 460 4.6 V8 (13.90 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the BMW Z4 sDrive35is has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 Z4 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2016 Z4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison