New BMW Z4 is slightly larger, still lots of fun to drive

The new Z4, BMW's first roadster with a folding hardtop, replaces both The Z4 coupe and roadster. Every piece of The car's sheetmetal is new, though with its long hood and prominent shoulder lines, it is recognizable as nothing oTher than a Z4.

The car is bigger in every dimension. At 166 inches long and 50 inches high, The new car is still 6 inches shorter and 5 inches lower than a 1-series convertible. So it's not a big car. NeverTheless, The interior is indeed bigger, with a quarter-inch more headroom and an inch and a half more shoulder room.

The United States will get two models: The 30i with a 3.0-liter, 255-hp inline-six and The 35i with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six pumping out 300 hp. Two transmissions will also be available: a six-speed manual on both models, and BMW's new seven-speed dual clutch on The 35i.

We spent our time in The 35i with The dual clutch. What a hoot!

BMW's latest-generation dynamic stability control has normal, sport and sport-plus modes. DSC adjusts The accelerator, engine management, power steering, dual-clutch transmission (on cars so equipped) and, on cars fitted with The optional Adaptive M Suspension, The control map for electronic damper control. Normal mode offers The softest ride and slowest shifts, so we immediately flicked to sport-plus--you'll want normal mode for tootling around town.

The combination of The twin-turbo six and The seven-speed transmission propels The car to 60 mph in five seconds flat, a tenth quicker than with The six-speed manual. The straight-six is simply a brilliant engine--no peaks or valleys in The rev range, The throaty howl always noticeable. There's really no oTher way to put it: This is one of The smooThest engines you can get in any car, and The silky, ultraquick seven-speed box is a joy to flick up and down through The gears.

The suspension, struts in front and an independent rear, stiffens up nicely as you cycle from sport to sport-plus. The ride never got unpleasant on our drive, though that might be a completely different story when we drive The car here.

The on-sale date is May 9. The Z4 30i will start at $46,575 and The 35i $52,475. Both prices include $825 destination and handling. The seven-speed dual clutch, which we highly recommend, is only available on The 35i and will set you back an additional $1,525.

So it's a bigger, slightly softer Z4, one that will no doubt attract some new buyers to The Z4 fold. Not to worry, though, it remains a well-built, good-looking roadster that is fast and entertaining enough to satisfy seasoned enthusiasts.