New Z4 Roadster Sets New Standards in Power and Safety

SPARTANBURG, S.C., July 1 -- The new BMW Z4 roadster, which will be built at BMW Manufacturing Corp. in Upstate South Carolina, will be presented for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in late September.

The Z4 is powerful and sporting in its design and looks, it offers extremely precise and safe handling, and therefore promises the ultimate driving experience.

The roadster proudly bears all the classic features of a typical roadster -- a long and sleek engine compartment, a long wheelbase, short overhangs and a low seating position. The exciting design of the car is characterized by the intriguing curves of soft and hard surfaces, creating new transitions of light and shadow from every angle, shaping the character of the Z4.

The Z4 roadster features:

Luggage compartment (9.1 cu ft), large enough for two golf bags

Z-shaped soft roof fold with rear heated glass window

Two high-torque, six-cylinder engines (manual and automatic)

Dynamic Drive Control (DDC), which guarantees power and acceleration

Wide track, extremely low center of gravity with electric power steering

Dynamic Stability Control(DSC II), which guarantees driving safety

The Z4 roadster will be available in the United States beginning in October and in Europe, the spring 2003.

BMW Manufacturing Corp. is a subsidiary of BMW AG, Munich. The factory website is www.bmwusfactory.com. In addition to the South Carolina manufacturing facility, BMW's North American subsidiaries include an information technology consulting and systems integration firm in South Carolina; sales, marketing and financial operations in the United States, Canada and throughout Latin America; a production facility in Mexico; and a design firm in California.