BMW Announces ‘Design Pure Balance’ Package for Z4 Roadster

A new styling package will soon be added to the long list of available options of the BMW Z4 hardtop roadster. The ‘Design Pure Balance’ equipment package is similar to the ‘Design Pure Impulse’ released in the fall of 2010 and includes special interior appointments and a bespoke exterior finish.

Inside, the package adds a Cohiba Brown leather treatment with contrasting seams in Lotus White along with additional black leather features with seams in Umbra, plus Fineline Anthracite wood and sports seats, all fitted as standard. While buyers can choose from a variety of non-metallic and metallic exterior paint finishes, BMW proposes a unique Mineral White metallic color which is exclusive to this edition.

The new equipment package will be available for order from summer 2011.

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VIDEO: AC Schnitzer's Diesel-Powered BMW Z4 and 540HP 5-Series

The new BMW Z4-based 99d roadster and the BMW 550i-based ACS5 sports saloon will hog the limelight on AC Schnitzer's stand at this week's 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Both models were developed to offer performance without compromising on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The Z4 99d comes with a 190HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, while the ACS5 features a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 gasoline unit pumping out 540-ponies. Scope out the first promotional videos of AC Schnitzer's newest tunes right after the break.

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AC Schnitzer 99d is a $205,500 BMW Z4 Fitted with a Diesel Engine that Returns 3.8lt/100km or 61.9 mpg

BMW's decision to create the new 'i' sub-brand for the growing number of eco-conscious buyers has apparently rubbed off its partners like AC Schnitzer, as the German tuning firm will be launching a production ready concept based on the Z4 hardtop-roadster at next week's Geneva motor show.

Developed as an eco-friendly sports car that adapts to AC Schnitzer's new motto "Efficient Performance", the 99d gets its name from its CO2 emission levels and the diesel powerplant housed under its hood.

More specifically, the tuning house fitted the Z4 with the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamic's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. After some performance upgrades, the four-pot's output was lifted from 163HP and 380Nm, to 190HP and 420Nm.

AC Schnitzer says the 99d can go from naught to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 235km/h (146mph), while returning an impressive fuel consumption of 3.8lt/100km (61.9 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of just 99.18 g/km.

To achieve these striking numbers, the German tuner also reduced the roadster's weight by 230kg (507 pounds).

"With the AC Schnitzer 99d, we've succeeded in building the previously inconceivable: an up-rated performance vehicle whose CO2 emissions have been reduced to 99 g/km and which, despite its sustainability, offers pure driving pleasure. That's Efficient Performance by AC Schnitzer," the company said in a brief statement.

According to the tuner, the price of the 99d is €149,000 or about US$205,500 at today’s exchange rates, but that's about all the details AC Schnitzer is willing to release before unveiling the car at the Geneva Salon.

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