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2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is preview (photos)

BMW cranks a little more power out of its Z4 roadster, increasing horsepower and adding sport equipment. The Z4 sDrive35is debuts at the 2010 Detroit auto show.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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A tweaked version of the standard Z4 roadster, the Z4 sDrive35is gets more power from stronger turbochargers on the engine, along with a transmission straight out of the M3.
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BMW fitted the Z4 sDrive35is with exhaust baffles and mufflers designed to produce a deep note that will probably sound bigger than the car.
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As a retractable hard top, the Z4 sDrive35is remains comfortable in harsh weather, and secure on the street.
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The addition of the 's' after the 'i' in the car's model name hearkens back to earlier BMW models designed with a sporting edge.
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Enhanced turbocharging gives the Z4 sDrive35is 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, making it a particularly fast little roadster.
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BMW's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission includes paddles on the steering wheel for manual shifting. The roadster also gets the full complement of BMW cabin tech.
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Equipment from BMW's vaunted M sports division is also available for the Z4 sDrive35is, from cosmetic details to an adaptive suspension.

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