BMW Has Ended Production of the Z4 After Nearly 25 Years
One of the most beloved roadsters of this century has reached the end of the line.
The final BMW Z4 has rolled off the line at the automaker’s Magna Steyr factory in Graz, Austria, according to BMW Blog. That means for the first time in more than three decades the marqueMarqueA brand name of a car manufacturer, particularly one associated with prestige, such as Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, or Aston Martin. The term emphasizes a make's heritage and identity beyond product lines,Go to Marque Glossary’s lineup is without a two-seat convertible.
The E85 Z4 debuted way back in 2003 as the fourth member of the Z Series family. Although it was available as a coupe during the first of its three generations, the car is best known as a roadster and a throwback at that. The open-top model was bigger and more powerful than its predecessor, the compact Z3, and was available with a manual gearbox until the very end (and its demise is yet another blow to the stick shift’s future at BMW). It also spent much of its lifetime as one of the best values in both the luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary and sports car segments.
BMW gave us plenty of warning that the Z4 was nearing its end. Last fall, the automaker revealed it would round out production of the third-gen G29 Z4 with the aptly named Final Edition. The ultimate version of the roadster is available in one color, Frozen Black, dressed up with the Shadowline trim package and is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six that makes 382 hp and 368 ft lbs of torque. All that grunt is routed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. The cost, regardless of gearbox: $78,675.
The end of Z4 production means the Z Series has also reached the end of the road—at least temporarily. BMW has yet to announce plans for a successor. Roadsters have been a fixture of the company’s lineup since the 1990s, though, so it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see another Z car at some point.
Until then, BMW does still have one model on offer for the convertible lovers out there. The 4 Series convertible still appears to be going strong. Five version of the open-top four-seater are currently available, including the high-performance M4 Competition xDrive Convertible, with pricing starting at $61,300.
This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.