Is the BMW Z4 M40i faster on track than its Toyota...

Exceeding Expectations

So yeah, we had been hesitant to check this luxo-cousin to the sporty Supra on observe, fearing there was nothing to be realized from seeing the extra sedate tackle a well-recognized {hardware} bundle get stomped.

Boy, are we glad we modified our minds.

On observe, the Z4 is a delight, equaling the latest Supra we sampled–additionally with the handbook six-speed field–on the clock, on the info charts and within the seat of our pants. Really, we’d be arduous pressed to say the Z4 didn’t provide the popular observe expertise in most areas, because it felt extra composed than the Toyota. 

Timewise, the Z4 clocked its finest lap a scant 0.3 second slower than the Supra’s finest–1:18.35 versus 1:18.63–though these checks had been carried out practically two years aside from one another. Don’t sweat the three-tenths of a tick too arduous. It’s simply as honest to name it a tie.

1. The Supra (blue hint) and the Z4 (crimson hint) had similar acceleration in third gear. On this lap, which was our greatest for the Z4, we shifted to fourth gear and because of this in all probability misplaced some momentum to the Supra, which stayed in third. On laps the place we stored the Z4 in third, nevertheless, errors elsewhere and observe situations stored us from beating this finest lap. 2. Fascinating anomaly right here, because the Supra outpaces the Z4 in acceleration the place they ran head-to-head in different areas. Ambient climate variations? 3. Total, we’re ready to name this a useless warmth, particularly once we see the Z4 outpacing the Supra on the difficult entrance to Flip 8. These charts are far more alike than they’re totally different.

Throughout that almost all latest check of the Supra, we praised the dealing with but in addition felt the chassis appeared a little bit edgy, not less than when it got here to really feel and suggestions. Effectively, the Z4 delivers related traits, however it additionally appears to blunt the sting and make the automotive really feel much less nervous on observe. In each circumstances, the VBox information didn’t actually decide up any twitchiness perceived from behind the wheel. As a substitute, it confirmed good, stable pace curves with little variation by corners.

Actually, it’s troublesome to have a look at the info and say conclusively why the Supra was a couple of tenths quicker than the Z4. The Supra has higher pace by a few sluggish corners and is persistently quicker at turn-in on the FIRM’s sq. right-hand Turn5, however that would simply be attributable to observe situation anomalies and never materials automotive variations. 

The Z4 can be persistently quicker by the early and late sections of the FIRM’s Flip 8, which has three distinct cornering phases. The early turn-in part gives a reasonably good decide of really feel and suggestions–extra confidence normally means extra corner-entry pace. The center part reveals a automotive’s pure road-holding means because the chassis sits in regular state for a few seconds. The ultimate stage sees the highway camber go away simply earlier than throttle software, making for a posh exit because the entrance traction is balanced with thrust from the rear tires. 

The Z4 barely outpaced the Supra in these extra advanced sections, which appeared barely out of character with its issue maintaining within the slower, squarer corners the place transitional means was additionally vital. That’s why we’re inclined to name the observe session a useful draw. The variations weren’t coarse sufficient for us to attract actual conclusions, and the time and situation hole of the observe had been in all probability greater elements than something.

Curiously, the Z4 and Supra used totally different strategies to attain their quickest laps. The Supra’s finest lap got here by staying in third gear for a lot of the 1.55-mile FIRM circuit, whereas the Z4 delivered its quickest time once we shifted from third to fourth simply earlier than the quick right-hand kink of Flip 4. 

The information exhibits that we misplaced acceleration thrust by going to fourth, however we acquired a greater entry and mid-corner efficiency out of the Z4 in fourth than in third. The VBox information exhibits that the mixture time by that part was practically similar, and many of the benefit of the quickest lap got here in a piece the place each vehicles had been in the identical gear. So yeah, not a lot to glean there aside from the truth that the B58 engine is splendidly versatile and clean, is probably going underrated at 382 horsepower, and generally is a nice asset on observe whether or not you’re lugging it and utilizing the prodigious torque and minimal turbo lag or letting it wind to 7000 rpm. 

We additionally sampled varied settings from the experience management, which will be combined or matched with settings for shock stiffness, throttle response and exhaust be aware. Our greatest laps got here within the Consolation or Sport modes, with Sport+ having too aggressive a throttle curve for clean energy supply and an excessive amount of shock compression stiffness to take in the curbs which might be integral to a quick lap on the FIRM. 

Consolation and Sport provide good compromises, with each delivering nice road-holding whereas the softest shock setting takes only a bit extra time within the transitions. The stability right here may all change with correct observe tires and a extra aggressive alignment, however we nonetheless desire essentially the most relaxed throttle setting in all circumstances. The B58 is snappy, responsive and impossibly versatile. It merely doesn’t need assistance from a very aggressive throttle opening.

Plush Efficiency

The Z4 options all the posh objects anticipated in a contemporary BMW, but the automotive nonetheless ran practically as quick as the newest Supra. Take away any statistical noise, and we’d name it a tie. 

So, what’s our conclusion right here? Effectively, look, most people who find themselves selecting a automotive for observe use are nonetheless going to go for the Supra, they usually’re not mistaken. It’s three low-cost Miatas inexpensive with a hard and fast roof and fewer weight. 

We didn’t discover numerous aerodynamic variations in our testing–acceleration appeared principally constant between each vehicles to and past 100 mph–however our check observe doesn’t have the lengthy straights of a Street Atlanta or Street America. Because the pace will increase, we are able to see the Supra’s slipperier strains paying off. 

And actually, the entire level of the Z4 is to not function a observe weapon just like the Supra–which, by the way in which, nonetheless comes with a complimentary NASA membership and observe day. However we’ve realized that, regardless of its extra luxurious focus and barely swankier appointments, the Z4 offers up little to nothing to its extra hardcore cousin within the efficiency division.