At a recent two-day BMW Drive Experience event on Vancouver Island we attended, the pair of cars were among a handful of other redesigned or newly introduced models such as the flagship X7 SUV and seventh-generation 3 Series.
Both cars have two doors, feature M Performance tuning and are all new for this year. Yet, at the same time couldn’t be more different, residing on different ends of the spectrum but with one common goal: to put a smile on drivers’ faces. We’re talking, of course, about the 2020 BMW Z4 and 2019 8 Series, the latter making a return after a 20 year absence from the line-up.
At a recent two-day BMW Drive Experience event on Vancouver Island we attended, the pair of cars were among a handful of other redesigned or newly introduced models such as the flagship X7 SUV and seventh-generation 3 Series. On day one, drivers piloted the impressive machines around a 200-plus-kilometre route starting, and ending, at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit (VIMC) located in the scenic Cowichan Valley.
At the crack of dawn the following morning, guests gathered at the 2.3-kilometre circuit — opened in 2016 and sitting on a 19-hectare plot of land — boasting 19 tight corners and significant elevation changes. Following a couple of lead-follow laps with instructors, the track was made available for open testing. Below is more information on two of our favourite participating vehicles. Both vehicles are on sale now.
2019 BMW M850i Coupé
Last seen in the late 90s, the return of the 8 series badge is quite a different story this time around. Still a grand tourer, the sleek coupe remains faithful to the concept first shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2017 in Italy with its low-slung stance, wide track, barely there carbon fibre roof and the slimmest LaserLight LED headlamps the brand has ever crafted. Matching LED headlights reside at the back above a blacked-out diffuser and quad-exit exhaust pipes.
Luxury appointments abound in the cabin. Sure, the cooled and heated Merino leather seating, multicolour fibre optic ambient lighting and 16-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo is nice, but what’s really next level is the glass package. The shifter, rotary iDrive Controller, start/stop button and even the volume knob can be encased in a crystal-like material for an extra touch of bling sure to impress any passenger.
Proving the large displacement engine is far from dead, a massive 4.4-litre TwinPower Turbo V8 lurks under the hood churning out 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox with steering wheel paddle shifters. While not as nimble as say the Z4 in the twisties, xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive and Integral Active Steering (rear axle steering) allow the large car to recover quickly from any over-enthusiastic manoeuvres.
Highlights
MSRP: $124,000
Motor: 4.4-litre turbocharged V8
Horsepower: 523 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 553 @ 1,800 rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 11.5 L/100 km mixed city/highway (manufacturer estimate)
2020 BMW Z4 M40i Roadster
This sixth-generation rear-wheel drive sports car emerges quite a bit larger than the outgoing model gaining 85-millimetres in length, 75 in width and 13 in height. The wheelbase, however, is actually shorter by 26 millimetres, and coupled with an aluminum-intensive double-joint spring strut front and five-link suspension rear setup, handling is the sharpest it has ever been.
The M40i is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder producing 382 horsepower, an additional 47 compared to before, and 369 lb-ft of torque. A familiar eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission takes care of shifting duties, and includes a launch control function to help achieve the 4.5-second 0 to 100 km/h time. Switch on the Sport or Sport+ Driver Experience Control modes to tighten up the optional electronically controlled dampers, lock down the differential and active the “loud” setting of the exhaust.
Also offered is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder powertrain in the sDrive30i variant generating 255 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque. Every bit as capable as the inline six, the compact motor might actually be better suited to an environment like VIMC where the number of turns are far greater than the amount of straightaways.
Highlights
MSRP: $76,100
Motor: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six
Horsepower: 381 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 368 @ 1,850 rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 9.0 L/100 km mixed city/highway (manufacturer estimate)