√2023 BMW Z4 update revealed

The BMW Z4 roadster has come in for its mid-life update – but you’ll need to be a BMW aficionado to spot many of the changes.

The updated 2023 BMW Z4 has been revealed, ahead of an international launch late this year – though Australian launch timing is yet to be announced.

Shown in a leaked photo posted early by BMW last week, updates for the 2023 Z4 – the roadster’s mid-life upgrade – are mild, limited to small aesthetic changes and increased standard equipment levels.

Production is set to commence in November, followed by first European deliveries weeks later – but Australian launch timing is yet to be confirmed.

Exterior updates comprise a new mesh pattern for the upper ‘kidney’ grilles, restyled inserts for the outboard front air intakes, and a pair of new 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheel designs, with the latter pictured in black with a polished outer rim.

New paint colours available include Thundernight Metallic purple (from the latest 2 Series Coupe), Portimao Blue Metallic and Skyscraper Blue Metallic – while buyers can now option black inserts for the headlights.

The M Sport styling package is now standard across the range in Europe – but this won’t affect Australia, as the pack has been standard equipment since the current model launched three years ago.

That means items such as an M leather steering wheel, M pedals and sports seats are now standard across the range – while the dashboard is now trimmed in Sensatec artificial leather in the mid-grade sDrive30i.

The Z4 hasn’t migrated to BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment software, with two curved screens across the dashboard – nor have there been any upgrades to its suite of safety technology.

European buyers can still choose from three petrol engines: the 145kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder in the sDrive20i, 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder in the sDrive30i, and 285kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo inline six-cylinder in the M40i (in Australian-market form).

A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the sDrive20i in Europe, with an eight-speed automatic optional, or standard in all other models. The auto is the only gearbox available in Australia, after the sDrive20i manual was axed in 2021.

Rumours suggest the M40i six-cylinder will gain the option of a six-speed manual gearbox from March 2024 production, but this is yet to be confirmed by BMW.

The 2023 BMW Z4 is due in European showrooms from this November. Australian launch details are yet to be confirmed.

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