BMW Make A Little Update For Auto Show in Detroit

On the next North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the 19th between the and 27 January has opened, the Bavarians will be unveiling the Concept 4 Coupe and the M6 ​​Gran Coupe, which we have already presented. There are also a slightly revised Z4 and a new trim line for the Coupé and the Convertible of the 1 Series.

Z4: hardly changed

After four years revised its BMW Z4 Roadster. To speak of a facelift but it would be too much. Because even if you look closely hardly changes are visible. Redesigned the surrounds of the side indicators have been behind the front wheel arches. According to BMW also the inner workings of the standard bi-xenon headlamps has been modified - whats changed and always there, its not visible from the outside so readily. Three new paint and newly styled alloy wheels extend the offer. The retractable roof can be ordered on request in the contrasting colors black and silver.

Among the changes in the Z4s interior includes a black bezels for the air vents and the folding screen. New to the program, the equipment package "Design Pure Traction" is. It can be combined with the Valencia Orange Metallic color and brings a partially orange-colored interior with themselves - about the lower part of the instrument panel and in the leather seats. Who likes it less colorful place, of course, still many possibilities to design the interior color. As usual, the buyer of leather and wood finishes to spend several thousand euros extra.

BMW Z4 Image Gallery

(Click To Enlarge)

 
New Base Engine

BMW seems to maximum confusion of the name of the new base model to be. The Z4 sDrive18i is not operating as a 1.6-liter as in the 118i, where this machine provides 170 hp. In the Roadster a weaker version of the two-liter engine, which makes 156 hp at 5000 rpm there. The maximum torque is 240 Nm of torque, between 1250 and 4400 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km / h, the new model is completed as manual switch in 7.9 seconds, top speed is 221 km / h Consumption in the NEDC is BMW with 6.8 liters.

At this point, a brief slide: BMW has introduced the current 1 Series, a new generation of engines. The turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, 1.6 or 2 liters. In 1er afford the smaller engines 102 (114i), 136 (116i) and 170 hp (118i). The two-liter engine is offered only in the form of the 125i, where he then makes 218 hp. In turn, there is a triple 320i with 184 hp from two liters capacity, and instead of a one 318i 320i "EfficientDynamics Edition," which has the engine from the 118i and how this also makes 170 hp. Therefore, it is surprising that in the BMW Z4 offers a seemingly new two-liter engine with 156 hp.

With the small revision of the BMW Z4 has converted all engines to the emission standard Euro 6. For gasoline thus more stringent values ​​are connected. What is new is that the first number of particles detected. For newly homologated vehicles, this measurement is from 1 September 2014 mandatory for all new cars until a year later. Slightly modified Z4 rolls in March at the dealership. At what price, is not yet clear. Currently the Roadster costs at least 36,600 euros. By the new base engine, the starting price is very likely to fall slightly.

Edition models

Coupe and Cabriolet 1 Series are still based on the first generation 1 Series. The successor of the convertible is probably only the beginning of 2014 in the trade that could be Coupé already be seen on the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Until then, some actions and special models of the two previous versions, which were last revised in spring 2011 easily, provide new incentives to buy. This includes the new "Limited Edition Lifestyle", which can be ordered only in Mineral White, Sapphire Black or Space Grey. In all cases, the double-kidney is equipped with a white front grille and with white, chrome on the front grille slats. The surrounds on the side windows are made of chrome. The edition models get 18-inch factory alloy wheels in double-spoke design.

The convertible comes with a brown soft top along with silver-colored pigmentation. The interior gets a brown leather with white contrast stitching. Add decorative strips come in wood, and a dark headliner. BMW, meanwhile, left open what the package will cost and what engines can be combined.

Mercedes Benz SLK 350 The Little SL

Rough around the edges, but still competitive is how the Mercedes-Benz SLK.

As the first convertible with a folding metal roof wrote the Mercedes-Benz SLK in the mid 90-year history. Meanwhile, the little brother of the SL has arrived in the autumn of its second generation. A facelift a year ago should keep him competitive against the younger competition. It is those "formula-1-nose", was expected to be the disappearance had been accentuated by a new front bumper even more.

Both the Audi TT and the BMW Z4 are younger than the SLK. Both have disadvantages: the TT, based on the VW Golf platform is the core of his being a compact front-wheel drive - and lacks a really powerful six-cylinder. Its 3.2-liter VR6 makes only 250 hp and will soon be withdrawn from the program. BMW Z4 like turn in its second generation not any. To American-sweeping effect the folding roof coupe, the turbocharged version with 306 hp peak is quite thirsty.

Even so one should not write off the SLK, especially the curved line is pleasantly compact and get the motor program from the four-cylinder compressor is up to the 5.5-liter V8 most expectations.

We drove the SLK with that 3.5-liter V6 that makes 305 horsepower and is the Mercedes-Benz dubbed "sports engine". Actually this engine is a stopgap solution: the same size, more modern engine with direct injection (from the limousine known) does not fit in the SLK, because the package is no space for the required exhaust after-treatment is provided. For "sports engine" the engine qualifies primarily by a raised speed limit and the decidedly sporty intake sound, the traditional notions of a silky Mercedes six-cylinder can scarcely meet.

The V6 is with the in-house 7-speed automatic transmission coupled and impressed with responsiveness to the accelerator pedal. At least as encouraging is the low fuel consumption. The main competitors of the 250 km / h fast SLK 350 go with the precious essence in any case for significantly less restrained.

The suspension tuning is a successful compromise between comfort and sportiness. But it is a compromise. If you spend every spare minute imaginable on the track is likely to be a Porsche Boxster S or an Audi TT RS better served. On the other hand, the SLK offers not that typical Mercedes feeling that could be described as unemotional, comfort-oriented composure. Who to emphasis should be waiting for the new E-Class Cabriolet, which is technically based largely on the C-Class and has failed so relatively compact.

The interior is fitted with a neck ventilation system called "Airscarf" (German: air circuit) available which ermöglichst it even when its cold to drive with the roof open, without having to completely disguise. The metallic color instrumentation and a three-spoke steering wheel seek to sportiness, while the hard plastic visor of a smart entry-level version could be taken.

For the SLK 350 as "small SL" talks a lot - not least its high durability. And it is likely to not change much even if his successor is launched.