BMW Z4 Model Years and History

The BMW Z4 carries over with minimal changes for 2026.

The BMW Z4 gets an optional 6-speed manual transmission for 2025.

The BMW Z4 rolls into 2024 with minimal changes.

The 2023 Z4 gets minor changes to the exterior but otherwise carries over with minimal changes.

The 2022 Z4 carries over with minimal changes, while wireless device charging is no longer available.

The 2021 Z4 carries over with minimal changes, while Apple CarPlay\Android Auto connectivity are standard across the lineup.

Last year, a newly designed Z4 made its debut. For 2020, BMW has added an optional 6-cylinder twin-turbo engine to the lineup, giving the Z4 the power to compete with much more serious performance machinery. With the new engine, the Z4 gets real. Its 382 horsepower can make a run to 60 in less than 4 seconds.

After three years away from the North American market, the newly redesigned 2019 BMW Z4 showcases all the BMW innovation and technological prowess that BMW has at its disposal to bear. The new Z4 grows by 3.3 inches in overall length over the previous one, adds 2.9 inches of width, and with the reduction of an inch from the wheelbase, it gives way for a larger cabin and trunk space adding 50 percent extra cargo capacity with the top up or folded away.

The BMW Z4 is essentially unchanged for 2016. Nicer seats now come standard on the base sDrive28i trim, while several option packages have seen a reduction in price; including the coveted M Sport package.

The BMW Z4 returns with few changes for 2015, the most notable of which is that the manual transmission is only available on the 28i.

The 2014 BMW Z4 gets a few minor revisions to the exterior and interior of the car. New headlights are the most obvious external change, though several new colors and wheel choices are also available. Inside, the car also receives minor updates that include new air vents and changes to the optional wood trim.

For 2013, the Z4 Roadster gets more standard equipment, as well as a price drop of $1,300 for the base Z4 sDrive28i. The Comfort Access system, a universal garage-door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, ambient lighting, a compass, sport seats with additional lumbar seat support and a wind deflector are now all on the standard-features list, as well as dual-zone automatic climate control and power front seats with driver memory. Wheels have been upgraded to 18-inch alloys, too. Z4 sDrive 35i models additionally get BMW Assist and the Hi-Fi Premium sound system as new standard features for 2013, while option prices have changed in some cases. And across the model lineup, the retractable hardtop can now be operated at up to 25 mph.

The Z4 lineup carries into 2012 with a new entry-level model. The sDrive28i features a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and a choice of 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Z4 lineup carries into 2011 with a few minor changes. Models equipped with the available navigation system get the newest fourth-generation version of BMW's iDrive screen-based interface. For 2011, a new higher-performance Z4 sDrive is model joins the Z4 lineup, offering 20 more horsepower than the Z4 sDrive35i model plus a host of other M Sport upgrades.

The 2010 BMW Z4 got an overhaul in the design department, courtesy of an all-woman design team at BMW headquarters. The roadster features elegant lines and, in the top-of-the-line sDrive35i, more than 300 hp from the new 3.0-liter engine. The coupe has been removed from the lineup, and now features a folding hard top instead for use in any weather.

The BMW Z4 roadster has been completely redesigned for 2009. The new Z4 has been built around two new engines, and only as a convertible. No longer will the choice of convertible or coupe confound any potential buyer ? BMW's new folding hard top provides the best of both worlds. BMW's vehicle control system, iDrive, is now available for the first time in the Z4.

The BMW Z4 roadster and coupe are carried over with almost no changes for 2008. The wheels offered as part of the available Sport Package are now 18-inchers, and Stratus Gray Metallic replaces Silver Gray Metallic in the color palette.

Many changes accompanied the 2006 BMW Z4, including the addition of the coupe body style and the debut of the M variants, so the 2007 model remains fairly static.