Things That Make You Smile:

• Sling-shot performance and slot-car handling without the go-kart suspension
• Beautifully balanced proportions and elegant design silhouette
• Retractable hardtop insulates you from the elements and road noise better than a ragtop
• Intelligent dual-clutch automatic is fast and silky smooth
• The new interior is more visually pleasing, and includes a slew of comfort and usability improvements

Things That Turn Your Smile Up-side Down:

• Melbourne Red paint attracts more attention than Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco spotting the General Lee
• I know it’s a roadster, but where do I put my golf clubs?

Bada bing, bada boom! Last year we drove the 2010 Z4 sDrive35i powered by BMW’s silky-smooth turbocharged, inline-6 engine and a double-clutch transmission that can change gears faster than Quick-Draw McGraw on speed. Performance was impressive, handling was sharp as a razor, and driving dynamics were more engaging than Betty Davis’ eyes. This year BMW has added a new range-topping Z4, one with a massaged engine that produces 335 hp and a load of M Sport touches. Not that the Z4 needed any more power, but we were surprised the company didn’t call it a Z4 M.

The 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is wants to play with the big boys and take its place next to the Audi TT-RS, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Boxster S/Cayman S. BMW has given the 3.0L engine better intake breathing and higher boost pressure for a new output of 335 hp at 5900 rpm and 332 lb-ft from 1500 rpm, with overboost providing quick bursts of 369 lb-ft. A specifically tuned exhaust system provides a deep rumble with a focus on the low-frequency sound range.

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BMW Z4 Consumer Reviews	BMW Z4 Expert Reviews	2010 BMW Z4 Photo Gallery	2010 BMW Z4 Specs

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Most attractive modern BMW roadster design yet
• Exhilarating, more powerful twin-turbo inline 6
• Lightning-fast shifts from the 7-speed dual clutch tranny
• Retractable hard top delivers best of both motoring worlds

Dings:

• Too much technology for the inherent simplicity of a roadster
• Too much weight for the inherent svelteness of a roadster
• For the price of one Z4, you can buy both a hard and soft top Miata

Ruling: Not quite the ultimate driving machine, but most definitely the ultimate luxury and technology machine which strays from the traditional characteristics of a roadster.

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>> Review by Mary Ellen Ash | >> Photographs by Bill Clark

Yays:

• Elegant, uncluttered console
• Heating and cooling seats
• Powerful and fun engine
• Rear-wheel drive

Nays:

• Poor rear-view visibility with top up
• Would have preferred to fit more than a golf bag in the trunk space
• Awkward seat adjustments

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Here’s something you could have seen coming from a mile away: Tesla is making a performance version of its much heralded Tesla Roadster. What makes the Sport version so different?

The Roadster Sport has a hand-wound stator that increases winding density helping to eliminate resistance while increasing peak torque (i.e. more power). It also gets better tires. Yokohama Ultra High Performance tires in this case (people are speculating they will be the same Advan A048s fitted to Lotus’ Elise/Exige). The 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds is 0.2-seconds faster than the standard Roadster. The Tesla Roadster Sport also gets Lotus-derived components, including adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars that can be tweaked to suit the driver’s tastes.

Neat, right? Now the real question: How much?

The starting price is $128,500 in the US and €112,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe, or $28,000 more than the base model of Tesla Roadster.

It’s up to you, the buyer, if that is worth it.

Source: AutoBlog