Hartge Tunes BMW Z4 With Elegance and Speed

We’ll be the first ones to say that the current BMW Z4 is by far the sportiest and nicest looking Z4 BMW has produced. Long time BMW tuner Hartge has entered the fray tuning the inside, outside and performance of the new Z4.

At the top of the list is an ECU upgrade for the turbocharged roadster, pushing horsepower to 350-hp from the factory 306-hp. It also eliminates the speed limiter and helps blast the Z4 to a 4.7 second 0-62 mph time. It’s currently available for $2,600 and Hartge promises minimal change in your MPG. How thoughtful of them.

On the outside is Hartge’s Classic 3 wheel, a refreshed version of their popular Hartge Classic wheel. A staggered setup has been bolted on with 20×9-inch in the front and 20×10-inch in the rear. Suspension upgrades lower the Z4 a subtle .8-inch in the front while the rear benefits with a real minor .4-inch lowering.

Familiar styling comes with Hartge’s front lip and rear spoiler along with Hartge emblems and decals. We’ve never been a huge fan of Hartge’s exterior body kits but we think this one is a killer addition to the already aggressive Z4.

And for those looking for a little luxury, a special wind deflector is available made of single-layer safety glass. Other interior upgrades are pretty standard with pedals, steering wheel and floor mats.

GALLERY: Hartge BMW Z4

Official press release available after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

Anyone with a Z4 sDrive35i (E89) wanting to experience driving pleasure at its best is likely to yearn for somewhat more power under the long bonnet and no (irritating) electronic limitation to 250 km/h. More power – namely a full 350 hp (225 kW) instead of the standard 306 hp (225 kW) – is developed by the twin-turbo power plant of the HARTGE version – and that low down at only 5900 rpm. Moreover, software modifications to the engine control unit result not only in output being boosted by 44 hp but also in the removal of the V-max restriction. Released from this speed corset, the Z4 can despatch the standing start to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds (measured with the 7-speed sports automatic twin-clutch transmission) and reach 280 km/h. The additional power can be activated for just ˆ 1995 including VAT and has only a minimal impact on fuel consumption. The requirements of the Euro 4 exhaust-emission standard are met in full.

The focal point of the car is, however, the HARTGE ‘CLASSIC 3’ aluminium wheels with ten spoke spider, ‘Hyper Silver’ finish with polished surfaces and HARTGE wheelhub caps with a black emblem. With its decorative screws, this new, one-piece, cast 20″ wheel looks like a multi-part design. Dimensions: 9 x 20″ with a 35 mm offset for 245/30 ZR 20 tyres at the front and 10 x 20″ with a 47 mm offset for super-wide 285/25 tyres at the rear. They also reduce the unsprung weight of the Z4. The suspension is upgraded by fitting a set of sports springs, which lowers the Z4 by 20 mm at the front and 10 mm at the back.

The new Z4 looks particularly fit with the HARTGE aerodynamic kit made of PUR-RIM and consisting of an attractive front spoiler (not compatible with the M aerodynamic package) and a perfectly integrated boot-lid lip. Naturally, both parts come with ABE, the general certification issued by the German testing authorities. HARTGE design stripes in anthracite metallic decorate the sides of the car while the carbon door-mirror casings and various HARTGE emblems underscore the overall sporting look. Rounding off the striking appearance of the new Z4 is the sound generated by two HARTGE rear silencers, each with twin tail pipes.

To minimise turbulence when driving with the top down, HARTGE has developed a special wind deflector made of splitter-proof, single-layer safety glass. For everything from the two-part set of pedals for automatic cars and foot rest to the striking HARTGE steering-wheel emblem, aluminium is the material that continues the exterior sporting look inside the car. Naturally, the HARTGE floor mats are available in black – what else?

Of course, all HARTGE special parts and accessories are available singularly. We recommend a visit to this manufacturer of individually designed BMW-based cars in Beckingen/Saar, on the B51 trunk road.