BMW Z4 M Coupe: A seductive blend of speed and art

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 11/23/2006 12:27 PM | Life

Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

For many, a car is merely a means of transportation. For others, however, a car is like a work of art.

In the hands of Indonesians Sam Nugroho, Jen R. Halim, Nurul Lita and Ully Zulkarnaen and their German counterparts Hans-Peter Schroeder, Marten von Rauschenberg and Oliver Sterk, their images of the newly launched BMW Z4 M Coupe have captured the essence of beauty in a car.

Thirty of their works -- taken in Jakarta, Shanghai and the German cities Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Dresden -- were displayed during the official launch of the car at Senayan City, Jakarta, last Friday; the exhibition will run through Nov. 26.

Sam Nugroho of The Loop & Associates, who is also a BMW enthusiast, said: ""There was a spark of energy and liveliness emanating from the car. The energy translates into the movement of lights. Every time I look at the design, I'm charged up: The Z4 Coup is simply electrifying.""

Sterk, a professional photographer since 1991, told of his experience when taking pictures of the car.

""I got the car on Oct. 1 in Munich, on a cloudy Sunday and it was there that I took the first picture at old Munich airport in Riem. Then I drove it to Dresden in the East of Germany (700 kilometers) where I took some night shots in the Old Town,"" he said.

""From Dresden I went to Stralsund (500 km) on the Eastern seaboard, where the old navy school ship Gorch Fock was located. Early morning sunlight helped me with this picture. From Stralsund, I drove the car to Hans-Peter in Hamburg (300 km). It was three days of extremely fun driving in one of the most beautiful cars I've seen.""

During the launch, guests were shown a red BMW Z4 M Coup that will enter the Indonesian market at a price of Rp 1.498 billion (US$164,165), on the road.

The sports car is equipped with a 3.2 liter, six-cylinder, inline engine under the hood. The 343 horsepower (hp) power unit is derived from the BMW M3 and it ensures superior power and agility on the road. Acceleration from stationary to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) takes only five seconds.

PT BMW Indonesia President Director Josef Honsel said in his opening speech: ""These amazing photos bring out the inner beauty of the car as well as invoke our deeper emotions.

""If looking at the photos can have this effect, imagine what driving the car can do for you. The BMW Z4 Coup makes a strong statement and is, without doubt, a must-have car for sports car enthusiasts.""

Despite the tendency for Indonesia to be a market for multipurpose vehicles (MPV) and sports utility vehicles (SUV) -- known for their ability to carry more passengers and traverse bumpy roads better than sedans -- sports cars remain a favorite among the elite and BMW is trying to capture the opportunity in the niche market by launching the product.

Another choice on offer is the 3.0 liter, six cylinder, inline-engined BMW Z4 3.0si Coup, tagged at Rp 998 million. The engine produces maximum output of 265 hp, ensuring superior agility, which is also assisted by the light weight resulting from the use of magnesium.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 kph is estimated at about 5.7 seconds.

Both the Z4 M Coupe and the Z4 3.0si Coupe have a top speed limited to 250 kph.

Last June, BMW Indonesia unveiled to its customers the Z4 Roadster 3.0si and 2.5si, which are offered at on-the-road prices of Rp 1.098 billion and Rp 898 million, respectively.

Only a limited number of vehicles will be available for customers due to high international demand. Individual consultation regarding M-cars is provided by PT. Trans Eurokars Indonesia, the authorized BMW M-Center in Indonesia.

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