BMW's Z4 convertible has little competition, offers freedom on tap

Convertibles are not for everyone. For starters, in India if you’re driving with the top down, it better be the right season. Catch yourself on a ride during the Mumbai monsoons or at the peak of Delhi summer and you end up testing the elements, which can and will play havoc with you.

That being said, convertibles offer a kind of liberating drive that no other vehicle — not even SUVs — can. The wind in your hair, the feeling of tearing into wide open spaces as a machine you drive chews up the asphalt, is incomparable.

The Z4 is really the next generation of a convertible after the Z3, and represents a vast range of improvements that include engine performance, drive and handling, tech as well as the way it looks.

If the tag line “Land Shark” was used for earlier Bimmer convertibles, it truly applies to the latest Z4 given its meaty powertrain, robust acceleration, and low-slung profile that allows it to surf over tarmac and highway with a never-ending appetite.

All convertibles are heavier than other cars so as to prevent rollovers. And at around 1,500 kilos the Z4 is not just torquey but also feels solidly planted when driven. Its 2-litre 4-cylinder generator punches out enough power to take the 2-seater from 0 to 100 kmph in under six seconds, which is quick by any standards.

As far as roadsters go, the Z4 has little or no competition in its category and price point.

Beyond the limitless freedom that comes with an open-top car, and sporty handling that comes with its new and upgraded suspension and chassis, as well as Z4 is thanks to its nimble steering and relatively compact size, it is also a vehicle that is practical enough to be driven everyday — even in the subcontinent.

If you look at the actual value stripped of absurd duties, the 2022 Z4 is a bargain basement for what it offers, being better priced than rival sports cars such as the Porsche Boxster. Of course, there’s precious little one can do about the price multiplication that transpires when it lands on Indian shores.

All Bimmers drive like, well, Bimmers, which is to say they are fast, powerful and torquey with good handling. The Z4 stays true to those traits but ups the ante when it comes to nimbleness. It’s also racy and agile thanks to the eight-speed automatic transmission that comes with the Sport mode. For purists who want to drive like it’s a race track, the manual paddle shifters on the steering wheel are super-easy to use. It is one startling difference from other standard BMWs I’ve driven, and the response from the 8-speed mated to 255 bhp from the 4-cylinder engine is amongst the sharpest in drive feedback that I have experienced. That combined with the obvious badge value of a BMW convertible one can spot from a mile away makes this a car that turns heads wherever it’s taken. Top-down or not.

So, what is the Z4 like on the inside? It’s very high quality and, in my opinion, is maybe even equipped with what could be the best touch and feel for this segment. The use of materials, plastics, panel design and fittings, and the way the car’s controls are located, are near perfect. Seating is comfy and one always feels secure, safe and in control even at high speeds. Many convertibles allow for whistling sounds from external sources but the Z4 is rather silent and one sometimes forgets it is not a sedan.

Flick a button and the top collapses in seconds making the car a prime choice for sunny days on long driving tours. Some convertibles have little or no space inside the cabin, but what the Z4 offers is generous by those standards, in terms of cubbyholes and compartments.

Of course, like all convertibles this is not a car to be used for those wanting to sit in the passenger seat while their chauffeur drives it as then any BMW sedan would suffice just as well.

The takeaway: for enthusiasts looking for luxury, speed, and a performance vehicle that gets them attention, the Z4 is the choice in a limited pool of cars. But the caveat is that it’s best used on fair weather days.