The 2021 BMW Z4 M40i comes with a significant upgrade in terms of the engine compared to the regular BMW Z4. The Z4 M40i is powered by a potent 3.0L Twin Turbo Inline 6 engine. The motor churns out a healthy 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the power is sent to the rear wheels.
The power and torque figures are both impressive for the segment. Any of the cars in the competition including the BMW Z4 M40i does not fall completely in the sports car territory and are just the entry-level sports car for their respective brands. That is evident looking at the performance of the cars in the segment as they offer better performance compared to other luxury cars in the segment, but not enough to match a proper sports car.
The BMW Z4 sdrive M40i will impress the buyers with its outright acceleration figures and overall performance. The performance of the car is seriously better than the base 4-cylinder engine. The 2021 Z4 M40i takes an impressive 3.9 seconds to reach from 0 to 60 miles per hour. The quarter-mile timing is not bad either as it takes 12.3 seconds for the same. The engine responds well to the driver inputs and the power is available right from the lower end of the rave band. The power band is fairly wide and you do not encounter any turbo lag either.
Models
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BMW Z4 sdrive M40i convertible
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Audi TT 2 Roadster
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Porsche 718 Boxster
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Jaguar F-Type Convertible P300
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MSRP
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$63,700
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$49,395
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$62,600
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$64,700
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Engine
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3.0L Twin Turbo Inline 6
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2.0L Turbo Inline-4
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2.0L Turbo Boxer-4
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2.0L Turbo Inline-4
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Drivetrain
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RWD
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AWD
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RWD
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RWD
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Transmission
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8 Speed Automatic
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7-Speed automatic
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6-Speed manual
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8-Speed Automatic
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Power (hp @ RPM
|
382 @ 5500
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220 @ 4,500
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300 @ 6500
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296 @ 5,500
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Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
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369 @ 1850
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258 @ 1,600
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280 @ 1950
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295 @1,500
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0-60 MPH (seconds)
|
3.9
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5.5
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4.9
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5.4
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Quarter-Mile (seconds)
|
12.3
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12.5
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11.9
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11.7
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Top-Speed (MPH)
|
155
|
155
|
187
|
155
|
The BMW Z4 M40i comes with the most powerful engine in the segment. The power and torque figures are both ahead of the competition with a significant margin. The performance of the car tells the same story and it is the fastest car in the segment to reach from 0 to 60 mph. The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster comes next in the o to 60 mph run with 4.9 seconds but is the fastest car in the quarter-mile run. The 2021 Jaguar F-Type Convertible P300 and the 2021 Audi TT Roadster are closely matched in terms of overall performance.
How well does the 2021 BMW Z4 M40i handle?
The rear-wheel-drive BMWs have been the dream for many drivers who love driving in terms of handling and driving dynamics. Well the 2021 BMW Z4 M40i might disappoint you a bit in that regard. It does not mean the handling of the car is not good, but it is not on the same level that the Bimmer has set over the years for their RWD drivetrain cars. The steering wheel of the Z4 M40i is similar to newer BMW cars. There is not much feedback from the steering wheels, but it is pretty direct and precise. The car changes the lane quickly. The only area where the steering wheel lacks is the kind of feedback that the Bimmer was known for.
The driving dynamics of the car will impress most buyers. The car feels planted on the road for most parts. You may have to slow down a bit in the corners, but the overall cornering ability of the Z4 is decent for the segment. However, when it comes to the comfort factor, it again becomes a mixed-bag experience. The BMW Z4 M40i drives well on good roads and the ride quality is also fine. But show it some bad patches of road and it will start showing you its quirks. The ride feels bouncy and switching to the Sport mode makes it only worse.
How good are the brakes of the 2021 BMW Z4 M40i?
The braking performance really starts to matter more when it comes to the sports car segment. The kind of acceleration the Z4 manages requires some impressive braking system to stop the car. The 2021 BMW Z4 gets 13.7 inches brake rotors for the front wheels and the rear wheels get 12.8 inches rotors. The brakes offer a good bite and manage to stop the car really well. The only downside is that the brakes feel a bit grabby at lower speeds in the city. It takes away from a smooth braking experience at lower speeds. However, the stopping distance is excellent as it manages to stop the car from 60 to 0 mph in under 101 feet.
Models
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BMW Z4 sdrive M40i convertible
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Audi TT 2 Roadster
|
Porsche 718 Boxster
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Jaguar F-Type Convertible P300
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Brake Rotors: Front (inches)
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13.7
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12.3
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13
|
14
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Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
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12.8
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11.8
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11.8
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12.8
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Curb Weight (lbs)
|
3,287
|
3,395
|
3,020
|
3,395
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60-0 (feet)
|
101
|
103
|
112
|
109
|
The BMW Z4 M40i offers the best braking performance in the segment when it comes to the overall braking distance. But the braking is not as smooth as some of the other rivals in the segment at city speeds. The 2021 Audi TT Roadster comes at the second position taking two feet extra to come to a halt from 60 miles per hour. The 2021 Jaguar F-Type Convertible P300 comes next with a braking distance of 109 feet from 60 to 0 mph. The 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster comes at the last position in terms of braking distance, but the margin is not that big.