Munich/Bolzano. Longing for summer makes us look
south. More than ever, the new BMW 4 Series Convertible and the new
BMW Z4 invite you to discover the ideal place in the sun. Just like
the new BMW 4 Series Coupé, the open-top four-seater comes with fresh
design accents and numerous refined details. The Roadster, with its
new drive concept, encourages drivers to tackle winding mountain
passes on their way to southern climes. A tour of three countries –
from the foothills of the Bavarian Alps through the Austrian state of
Tyrol to the edge of the Dolomites in northern Italy – gives a perfect
impression of how driving pleasure can be experienced in BMW M
automobiles with in-line six-cylinder engines with different characters.
At the start of the journey to Lake Tegernsee, a grey veil lies over
the landscape. Gusty winds, low-hanging clouds, windscreen wipers in
constant use – this is the route along the southern shore of the lake.
Shortly afterwards, we pass the traditional spa town of Kreuth before
reaching the border crossing to Austria, which, almost 30 years after
joining the Schengen Agreement, is hardly recognisable as a former
border post.
8-speed Steptronic and BMW xDrive meet manual transmission and
rear-wheel drive.
The first highlight of the route is the almost ten-kilometre-long
“coastal road” along Lake Achensee. By now, the in-line
six-cylinder engines of the M Performance models have reached
operating temperature. The engines in the new BMW M440i xDrive
Convertible generate 275 kW/374 hp (consumption combined: 8.7
litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO2 emissions: 197 g/km
according to WLTP, CO2 class: G) and in the BMW M440i
xDrive Coupé (consumption combined: 8.5 litres/100 km (62 miles);
combined CO2 emissions: 192 g/km according to WLTP,
CO2 class: G). The 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission
and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive ensure that all this power
is transferred to the road with maximum confidence.
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The BMW Z4 M40i in the Pure Impulse Edition (consumption combined:
8.7 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO2 emissions: 197
g/km according to WLTP, CO2 class: G): The 250 kW/340 hp
engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission for the first time.
The manual transmission features M-specific components in the gear
wheel set and shaft area, as well as an external gear shift mechanism
that been specially designed exclusively for the Roadster and its
six-cylinder in-line engine. The torque is transmitted to the rear
wheels in the classic manner.
If you ‘change gear’ at Maurach in time to take the right-hand
turnoff, you will soon reach the village of Jenbach with direct access
to the Inn Valley motorway. But as the first rays of sunshine break
through the clouds, we spontaneously decide to take the parallel
country road to Innsbruck. Shortly after the Jenbacher Museum, we take
an extra lap around the roundabout. At the push of a button, the soft
tops open.
New: Laserlight rear lights for Coupé and Convertible,
Roadster with axle-specific wheel dimensions.
A brief stopover in the Tyrolean capital provides an opportunity to
take a look at the latest design innovations for the Convertible,
Coupé and Roadster. The two four-seaters now feature particularly
striking headlights and Laserlight rear lights in the style of the
special edition BMW M4 CSL, as well as new paintwork. In addition to
the exclusive Frozen Deep Green metallic paint finish, the BMW Z4 Pure
Impulse Edition is available in a choice of seven other paint
finishes. In addition to the high-gloss black exterior mirror caps,
the dark-coloured M light alloy wheels also invite you to take a
closer look when viewed from the side. They measure 19 inches at the
front and 20 inches at the rear. The axle-specific wheel dimensions,
used for the first time on the Roadster, are the most visible part of
a comprehensive chassis modification. The positive effects on
cornering behaviour will become apparent later.
Driving through Innsbruck, the Bergisel ski jump on the southern
outskirts of the city repeatedly catches your eye. It is traditionally
the third stop on the annual Four Hills Tournament. Its jump tower was
completely rebuilt in 2002 and 2003. The plans were drawn up by
architect Zeha Hadid, who also designed the BMW Group’s central
building in Leipzig, which was completed a year later.
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But winter sports are naturally out of the question today. Instead,
the old Brenner Pass road is ideal for relaxed cruising, with the
occasional short burst of speed and plenty of twists and turns. It is
about 35 kilometres to the Austrian-Italian border and the almost
1,400 metre high Brenner Pass. The road was the main north-south link
between Austria and Italy until the Brenner motorway was built and
opened to traffic along its entire length in 1971. If you take the
historic route today, you can admire the Europe Bridge along the way.
At up to 190 metres above the ground, Austria’s highest bridge carries
the motorway over the Wipp Valley between Patsch and Schönberg.
Driving over the Brenner Pass is the ideal foretaste of the most
challenging and eventful stage of the Three Countries Tour. From
Sterzing, the shortest route to Merano leads over the Jaufenpass at an
altitude of just under 2 100 metres. The 50-kilometre route, with its
numerous serpentine bends, makes it particularly interesting to
compare the two driving concepts.
On the winding mountain passes, the Coupé, Convertible and
Roadster show their individual strengths.
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Comfortable driving pleasure quickly turns into an ambitious search
for the ideal line on the winding tarmac in the BMW M440i xDrive
Convertible and BMW M440i xDrive Coupé. The 8-speed sports
transmission Steptronic always finds the right gear for dynamic
acceleration out of the bend, even after abrupt braking manoeuvres
before a particularly tight bend.
The design of the BMW xDrive system, with its emphasis on the rear
wheels, and the M Sport differential in the final drive also help to
ensure that the power is always directed to where it is most effective
for maximum driving dynamics. The sporty driving experience and
expressive sound of the in-line six-cylinder engine are complemented
by magnificent panoramic views. After every bend there is a new view
of Alpine peaks and green valleys.
The BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse Edition leaves it to the driver to
select the right gear for the ideal engine speed. The pedals and
gearshift lever can also be used to compose a fascinating soundtrack,
which flows directly from the exhaust system’s trapezoidal tailpipes
into the interior of the two-seater.
Like the drive concept, the model-specific suspension technology is
designed to emphasise the Roadster’s purist character more than ever
before. In addition to the exclusive wheel combination, a stiffer
anti-roll bar clamp on the front axle, specific additional springs and
modified characteristic maps for the electronically controlled shock
absorbers of the Adaptive M Chassis are used. In the hairpin bends
before and after the summit, the new software settings for the
variable sport steering, traction control and M Sport differential are
particularly effective. In the BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse Edition, the
direct steering into the bend and the increased directional stability
during the next acceleration phase ultimately ensure an unadulterated
performance experience characterised by purist driving pleasure.
Beyond St. Leonhard, the sports programme comes to an end. On its
south-western section, the Jaufen road winds its way down into the
Passeier Valley in wide bends. The spa town of Merano is soon reached.
At this point, at the latest, you will begin to feel the hoped-for
Mediterranean flair. The surrounding area is full of opportunities for
cycling, hiking and climbing. The BMW 4 Series Convertible, the BMW 4
Series Coupé and the BMW Z4 continue on the MeBo, the main road that
links Merano with Bolzano. Passing Lana, Terlan and Eppan, it leads
through the Etschtal valley directly to the South Tyrolean capital.
Once there, the traveller is faced with a choice: back to the cold
north, or further south towards the sun? As long as the soft top is
open, the choice is not all that difficult.
BMW Travel Diaries: Crossing the Alps with the new BMW 4 Series and the new BMW Z4.
2024-08-22 16:00:00
www.press.bmwgroup.com
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/canada/article/detail/T0444662EN?language=en
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