The new BMW Z4 is scheduled to launch in South Africa in March 2019, and the local arm of the Munich-based automaker has now confirmed pricing for the two derivatives (the sDrive20i and the M40i) that will be offered here.

As we already knew, the local range will kick off with the Z4 sDrive20i (for the record, the 190 kW sDrive30i is not destined for SA shores), which employs a turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and sending 145 kW and 320 N.m to the rear axle.

BMW says this derivative will hit 100 km/h from standstill in 6,6 seconds, before topping out at 240 km/h. The price? Well, the sDrive20i will start at R759 442, while specifying the M Sport kit will take that number to R782 642 (still undercutting the Mercedes-Benz SLC200, which comes in at R775 528 in self-shifting AMG Line form).

The flagship Z4 M40i, meanwhile, boasts a turbocharged 3,0-litre inline six-cylinder developing 250 kW and 500 N.m (yes, the engine shared with the new A90-generation Toyota Supra) and also linked to an eight-speed automatic from the folks over at ZF. According to BMW, this M Performance variant needs 4,5 seconds to reach three figures and tops out at 250 km/h.

The Z4 M40i will be priced from R1 036 698 when it arrives towards the end of the first quarter. For the sake of comparison (but bearing in mind we don’t yet know what sort of standard specification the BMW will offer), the Porsche 718 Boxster S is priced at R965 000, while the Mercedes-AMG SLC43 comes in at R1 095 701.
BMW Z4 M40i

Original article from Car