WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — OK, actually, who didn’t see this coming? As quickly as Toyota gave the GR Supra a six-speed guide possibility, we knew it’d solely be a matter of time earlier than its badge-engineered sibling – the BMW Z4 – sprouted a stick as properly. For 2024, the six-cylinder Z4 M40i could have a DIY transmission possibility in the USA; a love letter from BMW to fanatics and purists in every single place. However there’s rather more to this particular mannequin than only a third pedal and a stick-shift. A complete bunch of nifty modifications flip this Z4 into one thing actually rad.
Along with the six-speed guide transmission – a gearbox created by ZF and tuned by BMW – this Z4 M40i will get a staggered wheel setup, with 19s up entrance and 20s on the rear. The bigger, wider rear rolling inventory is linked to the identical meeting used within the BMW M240i coupe, together with its torque-vectoring lively differential. Stiffer entrance anti-roll bars enhance the roadster’s turn-in traits, whereas the recalibrated steering delivers extra suggestions to the motive force. Lastly, tweaked adaptive dampers have extra differentiation between the Z4’s Consolation and Sport settings, with the latter firming up extra appreciably than earlier than.
The six-speed guide will solely be accessible with the M40i’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine, which delivers 328 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. (Facet observe: BMW did provide a four-cylinder Z4 sDrive20i with a guide transmission in different markets, nevertheless it was discontinued attributable to sluggish gross sales.) We don’t but have an official 0-to-60-mph acceleration time, however the guide Z4 will seemingly be a bit slower than an M40i with the usual eight-speed computerized transmission, which does the deed in a scant 3.9 seconds. The guide Supra, for reference, hits 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
Setting off from BMW’s New Jersey headquarters, the very first thing observed in regards to the six-speed Z4 is that it feels refreshingly acquainted. For those who’ve ever pushed a guide BMW, you’ll really feel proper at dwelling on this automobile. The burden of the clutch, the rubbery (that’s a praise) motion of the shifter – it’s precisely like what you’ll expertise in an M2, M3 or M4. The clutch pedal has a chew level your left foot can clearly really feel, and it’s simple to have interaction first gear easily on the very first attempt. The ample torque at idle means you’ll be able to slowly let the clutch out and seize first with out even touching the throttle, which has the additional advantage of creating this an awesome learner’s automobile for stick-shift newbies.
Comparisons to the GR Supra’s guide are pure. Each it and the Z4’s are sourced from Z4, however every was individually tuned by its respective automaker. They really feel completely different in consequence, and the Z4’s is healthier. The Supra’s should still be enjoyable, nevertheless it lacks the lock-step motion of BMW’s rendition.
Rocking across the roads of northern New Jersey, heading into New York and over to Connecticut, the Z4 M40i’s different modifications actually give this automobile new life. The steering is sharper and extra direct, with much more communication to the motive force – particularly on-center. The adaptive dampers not solely hold the chassis properly balanced however do an awesome job of smoothing out street imperfections, as properly. The guide Z4 genuinely feels extra wanting to dive-bomb an off-camber flip on the backside of a hill, with torque shuffling throughout the rear axle to ship grip the place it’ll be finest used.
Have in mind, the GR Supra acquired its personal set of modifications final yr together with its guide possibility, together with revised shocks and higher steering. However the Z4 feels higher balanced general, and the 285/30ZR20 rear tires are wider and grippier than the Supra’s 275/35ZR19s.
The Z4’s inside can also be world’s higher than the Supra’s, which depends on secondhand tech (from BMW), and is among the most claustrophobic cabins of any new automobile right now. Toyota makes do with an 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster and eight.8-inch central display screen, however the Z4 upgrades these shows to 12.3 and 10.2 inches, respectively, each of which have extra strong reconfigurability, to not point out wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – one thing the Supra nonetheless lacks.
The manual-averse amongst you’ll nonetheless be capable of spec a 2024 BMW Z4 with the eight-speed computerized transmission, however right here’s an vital distinction: The 6MT’s chassis modifications is not going to carry over to the 8AT mannequin. This positively ups the why-buy issue of the guide Z4; individuals who plunk down for certainly one of these are getting a roadster that’s considerably extra particular.
BMW will begin constructing the guide Z4 M40i within the first quarter of 2024, and the corporate isn’t planning to restrict manufacturing of this variant. Pricing remains to be TBD, and we are able to’t essentially assume that the upper stage of efficiency tools will dictate a bump in value. In spite of everything, Toyota sells the Supra 3.0 with both transmission for a similar $55,595 MSRP, which incorporates $1,095 for vacation spot. At the moment, the Z4 M40i begins at $67,295 together with $995 for vacation spot, with the important thing price-raisers being the Bimmer’s nicer inside, higher tech and power-folding convertible roof.
Because it stands, the BMW Z4 is a brilliant underappreciated sports activities automobile, and thru the third quarter of this yr, the Supra is outselling its Bavarian cousin: 2,097 coupes vs. 1,453 roadsters. Right here’s hoping this vastly improved guide mannequin works like a shot of gasoline on the Z4’s feeble flame.
