BMW Z4 Range Includes 194bhp 20i, 377bhp US-Spec M40i

If you want a BMW Z4 that’s more powerful than the M40i version, you’re all out of luck. There are no plans that we know of to make a full-on M Division Z4, so for the foreseeable, the M Performance Z will be the most potent derivative.

But here’s the thing: the version sold in the US will be quite a bit more powerful than the European-sped car. BMW has revealed that the Stateside M40i will develop 377bhp from its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, compared to 335bhp for those available the other side of the pond. ‘Murica!

If you’re happy with a drop in displacement and cylinder count, we now have details of the lower rungs of the Z4 ladder to bring you - up until now, we’d only seen specs for the range-topper.

The starting point will be the sDrive20i (which is not heading to the USA), developing 194bhp from a 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged inline-four. It’ll do 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, running out of breath at 149mph.

Sitting neatly between this and the M40i is the sDrive30i, with a more powerful version of the same four-banger. It puts out 254bhp, allowing for a 0-62mph time of 5.4 seconds. Like the M40i, it will keep going until an electronically-limited 155mph top speed. All cars are fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox - there’s definitely no manual option, I’m afraid.

With a capacity of 281 litres the boot has grown by 50 per cent compared to the last Z4, and retracting the fabric roof - which can be raised or lowered “within 10 seconds” while the car is moving at anything up to 31mph - won’t reduce available space.

All cars have 18-inch wheels as standard, with optional 19s on the menu. A 12.3-inch screen used in place of a physical instrument cluster is standard equipment too, and it’s paired with a 10.25-inch screen running BMW’s iDrive infotainment system.

The Z4 will be making its grand public debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. Fancy buying one? It’ll be launched around March 2019.