Introduction

2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster - Preview: Over the past few years, one might get the impression that BMW has been dissing the buying public. There was the Bangle-ized redesign of the 7 Series, which garnered a tremendous amount of negative attention and calls for a return to more conservative styling. BMW soldiered on unabated, and actually rolled out the tiered, bubble-butt look to other cars in its lineup. And then there’s iDrive, another BMW creation that resulted in more thumbs down than a nursing home bikini contest. Finally, the M line took a hit when the Z3 gave way to the Z4, and BMW seemed to be oblivious to the cries of new-car-buying enthusiasts. Well, friends, your words and tears have apparently made their way to Munich. The polarizing styling has been massaged to be more palatable, to the point that it’s mimicked by everyone from Hyundai to Lexus. IDrive still exists, though has been somewhat simplified for us, the ignorant masses. And car guys and gals will get their wish, as the M line will soon be bolstered by three new vehicles, one of which is the 2006 Z4 M Roadster, a 330-horsepower soft-top that aims to fulfill its duty as the Ultimate Driving Machine.

What It Is

Based on the updated 2006 BMW Z4 convertible, the M Roadster is a two-passenger performance car for enthusiasts who not only like driving with the top down, but enjoy doing so quickly while in complete control. To that end, the 2006 M Roadster comes equipped with a 330-horsepower engine, a speed-sensitive locking differential, high-performance brakes, and advanced technology like Brake Drying, Brake Standby, and Brake Fade Compensation.

Why It Matters

Calling your products the Ultimate Driving Machines requires constant innovation, cutting edge design, and unbeatable performance. If you can’t have all three, you should at least offer the best overall package, and that’s where the 2006 BMW M Roadster will likely shine. When it hits the market this spring, this little Bimmer, priced at nearly $52,000, will face stiff competition including the redesigned 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, a model that offers more power and space for a comparable price. In contrast, the M Roadster delivers its own brand of styling in a tight package, plenty of power for its diminutive size, and the cachet associated with upscale BMW brand. The Bavarian Motor Werks company thrives on a lineup of uniquely styled vehicles that engage the driver – the M Roadster should fit in quite well.