The z4 cockpit: new design, features and materials

The Z4's cockpit delivers a modern design, offering many new features and materials. There are expanded functions, greater convenience and more comfort; many of the features, both standard and optional, are making their first appearance in a BMW roadster.

Interior design is carefully harmonized with the bold exterior design. A pronounced "T" theme defines the dash and center console; here too, the fascinating interplay of convex and concave appears in the contours, particularly the large, full-width panel that frames the audio system, center air outlets and primary driving controls. Instrument design and configuration are completely new.

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Unique Z4 surface interplay is seen yet again on the interior door pulls, which make transitions from convex to concave and back again as they sweep upward from the armrests; even the interior door handles are distinctive.

New seat design and construction. Sport seats are standard, with prominent side bolsters to help support the occupants laterally during sporty driving. Six-way manual adjustment is standard; 8-way power adjustment with 3-way driver's-seat memory is optional.

Tilt/telescopic steering wheel, adjustable 30-mm/1.2 in. for tilt and reach.

Attractive, informative instrument cluster. The dial layout, with speedometer at left and tachometer at right, is traditional; everything else is new. Everything is focused on the driver, with various displays appearing in a window in the speedometer dial; on the speedometer and tachometer dials themselves; and in the space between the two dials.

Upholstery and trim: four available combinations

The Z4 Series offers four interior upholsteries and various choices of trim materials. All complement the cockpit's fresh and contemporary design:

• Leatherette - 2.5i standard. Black leatherette appears on the seats and door panels; the steering-wheel rim and handbrake grip are in leather. The graphite metallic-finish trim accents the interior.
• Active Sport interior - 2.5i optional. In this sporty new two-tone option, the seats are in leather and a contemporary synthetic fabric. The large dash trim panel and console trim are brushed aluminum; other trim is as in the standard 2.5i interior. Available in Pearl Gray/Black or Maldives Blue/Gray.
• High Performance leather - 3.0i standard, 2.5i optional. Leather seats, upper door-panel inserts, brushed-aluminum trim. Available in Black, Beige and (as of December '02 production) Red.
• Extended High Performance leather - 3.0i optional. Available as of April '03 production, this option upgrades the leather and extends it to the windshield frame, sun visors and larger door-panel areas.
• Sycamore wood trim - optional both models. Available with all interiors except the leatherette, this elegant wood appears on the dash and console.