WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — OK, actually, who didn’t see this coming? As quickly as Toyota gave the GR Supra a six-speed handbook choice, we knew it’d solely be a matter of time earlier than its badge-engineered sibling – the BMW Z4 – sprouted a stick as effectively. For 2024, the six-cylinder Z4 M40i may have a DIY transmission choice in the USA; a love letter from BMW to fans and purists in all places. However there’s far more to this particular mannequin than only a third pedal and a stick-shift. A complete bunch of nifty adjustments flip this Z4 into one thing really rad.
Along with the six-speed handbook 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 energetic 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 handbook will solely be obtainable with the M40i’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine, which delivers 328 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. (Facet notice: BMW did supply a four-cylinder Z4 sDrive20i with a handbook transmission in different markets, but it surely was discontinued as a consequence of gradual gross sales.) We don’t but have an official 0-to-60-mph acceleration time, however the handbook Z4 will probably 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 handbook Supra, for reference, hits 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
Setting off from BMW’s New Jersey headquarters, the very first thing seen concerning the six-speed Z4 is that it feels refreshingly acquainted. In case you’ve ever pushed a handbook BMW, you’ll really feel proper at residence on this automobile. The load 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 straightforward to interact first gear easily on the very first attempt. The ample torque at idle means you may slowly let the clutch out and seize first with out even touching the throttle, which has the additional benefit of creating this an awesome learner’s automobile for stick-shift newbies.
Comparisons to the GR Supra’s handbook are pure. Each it and the Z4’s are sourced from Z4, however every was individually tuned by its respective automaker. They really feel totally different because of this, and the Z4’s is best. The Supra’s should still be enjoyable, but it surely 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 adjustments 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 effectively. The handbook Z4 genuinely feels extra desperate 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 greatest used.
Take into account, the GR Supra received its personal set of adjustments final 12 months together with its handbook choice, together with revised shocks and higher steering. However the Z4 feels higher balanced total, and the 285/30ZR20 rear tires are wider and grippier than the Supra’s 275/35ZR19s.
The Z4’s inside can be world’s higher than the Supra’s, which depends on secondhand tech (from BMW), and is without doubt one of the most claustrophobic cabins of any new automobile right this moment. 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 have the ability to spec a 2024 BMW Z4 with the eight-speed computerized transmission, however right here’s an vital distinction: The 6MT’s chassis adjustments is not going to carry over to the 8AT mannequin. This positively ups the why-buy issue of the handbook Z4; individuals who plunk down for certainly one of these are getting a roadster that’s considerably extra particular.
BMW will begin constructing the handbook Z4 M40i within the first quarter of 2024, and the corporate isn’t planning to restrict manufacturing of this variant. Pricing continues to be TBD, and we are able to’t essentially assume that the upper degree of efficiency tools will dictate a bump in value. In any case, Toyota sells the Supra 3.0 with both transmission for a similar $55,595 MSRP, which incorporates $1,095 for vacation spot. Presently, 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 12 months, the Supra is outselling its Bavarian cousin: 2,097 coupes vs. 1,453 roadsters. Right here’s hoping this vastly improved handbook mannequin works like a shot of gasoline on the Z4’s feeble flame.