BMW's new Z-car turns on the style.

Byline: CHRIS RUSSON

AT long last BMW's Z car has been given the treatment it deserves.

Looking mean and magnificent, the new Z4 roadster now comes with a foldaway metal roof and a supremely stylish interior.

Taking a leaf from the book of the BMW Z8 supercar of the 1990s, the latest Z4 is the sports car many a roadster fan has been waiting for.

Priced from pounds 28,645 to pounds 37,060 the Z4 is now competing directly with the likes of the Mercedes SLK and Audi TT.

Previous Z machines from BMW - the Z3 and original Z4 - may have looked swish but they were badly let down by an interior which was straight out of any other BMW.

That has been blown away in the new car and with the optional exclusive design interior package it's in a league of its own.

Pure white upholstery throughout the cockpit and a high gloss wooden trim bring an ultra-luxurious finish which adds pounds 2,530 to the price of the cheapest Z4.

It's a touch of class which cannot be found in any other roadster of this ilk and makes the Z4 a very special car indeed.

The new model, now built in Regensburg in Germany unlike the American-produced previous Z cars, is longer, wider and lowers than the last Z4.

It is also delightfully stylish from any angle - and that's roof up or down, although when open it is simply gorgeous.

The roof takes just 20 seconds to fold automatically into the boot and even when stowed there is 180 litres of luggage space.

Roof up and the boot holds 310 litres which is generous for a roadster.

With the roof up and it is as quiet as a saloon inside but when you're exposed to the elements there is some buffeting - even with a wind deflector fitted - but that's all part of the fun of open top motoring.

Three straight six cylinder engines are on offer in the new Z4 - and all have their own characteristics.

BMW is badging the cars sDrive, which in their speak denotes rear-wheel-drive as opposed to four-wheel-drive which they now call xDrive.

If that sounds confusing it gets worse. The range starts with the sDrive23i which is actually a 2.5-litre. Then there is the sDrive30i which does have a three-litre engine - and so does the range topping sDrive35i although that's got twin turbos..

In this guise the Z4 is bordering on supercar performance. Top speed is restricted to 155mph but the acceleration is remarkably brisk at 5.2 seconds 0 to 60.

With either a seven speed sports auto box or an optional double clutch transmission it is a fiery piece of kit and the twitchy handling of the previous model has been ironed out with improved suspension.

An adaptive set up is available as an option costing pounds 930 which can be fine tuned by the driver for absolute fun.

The twin turbo is a potent performer in anyone's book and despite its 306bhp it will average 30mpg with emissions of 219g/km.

The 2.5-litre is not only more economical at 33.2mpg and a CO2 rating of 199g/km but it also feels much more nimble, not to mention being almost pounds 9,000 cheaper than the range topper.

It's fitted with a six speed manual box while all Z4s now have an electric parking brake which not only looks good but frees up space in the cockpit.

That's all important in a roadster and the Z4 now comes with storage space behind the seats, fold out door pockets, a glove box and centre console.

However, features such as a USB connection and Bluetooth phone link are extras and so is sat nav which will add thousands to the price.

The new Z4 can also be fitted with the latest version of BMW's iDrive multimedia system now featuring a hard drive which can store up to 12Gb of audio as well as delivering near 3D map images.

For a high tech finish to a highly sophisticated two seater such items are going to be a must to bolster the fantastic looks and fine performance which come as standard.

It's not going to be cheap but if you budget pounds 10,000 for extras the Z4 can be turned into one of the most exceptional sports cars imaginable..