MY FH5 Log: Blood Waters of Dr. Z

Avid Top Gear fans will likely remember the showdown between the Z4 and the Fairlady Z. In a Season 13 episode, Jeremy Clarkson compared the Z4 E89 and the Z34 Fairlady Z, ultimately handing the victory to the Nissan, driven by The Stig. Additionally, in Top Gear: The Perfect Road Trip, Clarkson, driving the first-generation Z4, outperformed Hammond and the Z33 Fairlady Z with the help of a shortcut through a dirt stage that Clarkson doesn't particularly favor.

With the current generation of these longtime arch-rivals, which one will have the last laugh? But first, let's get to know them, starting with the Z4 G29.

The third-generation model is a return to the Z4's roots. It has a soft-top roof that can be folded up or down in ten seconds, even at cruising speeds. The range-topping M40i model has a 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine that produces 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. When mated with the 8-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 250kph.

Now, let's talk about the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34, the latest version of Nissan's legendary Z-car.

Despite its fresh appearance, the RZ34 remains fundamentally a Z34 at its core, making it a car from the Heisei era that has been updated for the Reiwa era. Given the extensive updates, it has been designated as the RZ34, with the "R" standing for Reiwa. Like the Z Proto, the RZ34 Nissan Fairlady Z incorporates design elements inspired by earlier generations.

Under the hood, the RZ34 is equipped with the same 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine found in the Skyline V37 400R. This engine delivers 405 PS of power and 475 Nm of torque and can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 9-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to the new monotube shocks and enhanced front geometry, increased rigidity, available sport brakes, a mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), and rear suspension tuning, the RZ34 introduces, for the first time, features like launch control and electric power steering.

With a makeshift circuit near the fancy beach resort, it's time to find out which of these longtime rivals is the best. Remember the Top Gear days; the first-gen Z4 beat the Z33 in the dirt thanks to an unexpected shortcut Clarkson found. Rewind to the Top Gear track circa late 2009, the Z34 is faster than the E89 with The Stig behind the wheel. It's one win for each. Let a game like Forza Horizon 5 be the decider. Roll the tape.

And now the results...

Z4 G29 - 1m03.380s

Z (RZ34) - 1m03.664s

That was the closest result I've ever witnessed but in the end, this is how the West was won. The final-generation G29 Z4 defeated the RZ34 Fairlady Z by a narrow margin.

The BMW Z4 is the "ultimate driving machine," and it proved it in a duel against the Fairlady Z. In a close race, the Z4 won by a narrow margin. The Z4 was outshone by its Toyota GR Supra twin, but against the Fairlady Z, it proved its mettle just like its predecessors. If Jeremy Clarkson remained in Top Gear, this would be his bet compared to the RZ34.

Speaking of which, I've prepared a little something for the eternal rivals from the world of Top Gear.

The RZ34 Fairlady Z is donning the role of the PriPara main character, Laala Manaka. Let's admit it, she's unstoppable in her tracks just like the show itself. PriPara really is the GOAT of the Pretty Series.

As for the G29 Z4, look what I just did. On one side, you have Matsuri Hibino, while the other side has Myamu. Matsuri and Myamu, they're both main characters from Waccha PriMagi!

So, what we have here are two of my favorite rear-wheel-drive sports cars bearing significant Pretty Series milestones. One represents the greatest Pretty Series show of all time while the other represents the last of its kind before the switch. Yes, PriMagi is the last Pretty Series anime that had Tatsunoko involved in it before switching to OLM for AiPri. Long story short.

With two of my favorite Pretty Series milestones written all over the bodywork, the Z4 G29 and the Fairlady Z RZ34 are showcasing their high-performance prowess in two EventLab creations against a pack of rivals. Let's roll the tapes.

Meganee-san would be proud of their achievements today!

The letter "Z" is the last letter of the alphabet, and it represents the culmination of the alphabet. The BMW Z4 and the Nissan Fairlady Z are both at their peak. They know that their time is limited in this "new normal," but they're determined to put on a heck of a show as sports cars built for the "new normal." They have done it just like their predecessors and even when the endgame comes, they have proved their worth in this unstable world.

This is the zenith of sports car perfection, redefined.

My FH5 Log: Clone Slasher

By the time the BMW Z4 G29 and the Toyota GR Supra were unveiled, the motoring world caused a stir rather than celebrating their arrival, probably because both of these sports cars have the same bits and bobs, meaning they behave just like them rather than looking different.

Yes, both the Z4 G29 and the GR Supra are like two sides of the same coin. They may look different but they were built by the same master because, as they say, it's the economy, el bimbo. Anyway, how did they get through?

The Z4 G29 came first when it went on sale in the first quarter of 2019. Apart from its concept-inspired exterior design, the new model brings back the soft-top roof that was absent from the previous model and it can be folded up or down in approximately ten seconds even at cruising speeds. Seen here is the range-topping M40i model with the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine producing 340PS of power, and 500Nm of torque, and when mated with the 8-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

The Toyota GR Supra marked the beginning of Reiwa-era JDM sports cars when it went on sale in May 2019, a month after the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. It's built in collaboration with BMW so most speedo boys call this Supra a BMW because it runs on the same specs as the BMW Z4 G29. With the design borrows inspiration from the FT-1 Concept, the GR Supra shares most of the engines from the BMW Z4 such as the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox.

With their quick introduction done, it's time to find which of these two clones is the superior one and with that, I'm heading to the Horizon Mexico festival site to bring this heated debate into action. Before I had a chance, I had a problem.

Checking at the specs, it looks like the Z4 G29 has superior specs compared to the GR Supra. Don't ask me, ask the producers. I was going to say such specs will make the Z4 G29 the winner of this comparison but that would be premature. After careful consideration, the quick lap duel between the two clones is on. Bring it!

After a quick lap around the festival circuit, here are the results;

Z4 G29 - 1:18.545

GR Supra - 1:18.478

This is the closest result they've ever pulled. A near-second gap between them and looks like the Z4's Japanese clone, the GR Supra, is the winner. Just.

I guess I underestimated the GR Supra's potential even though it's basically a BMW Z4 underneath. For a Japanese car that has the same blood as its German equivalent, the Supra of the Reiwa era always comes on top. 

At this point, I was going to end this Clone Slasher but because of the Supra's potential, it's time to reward this...clone slasher the biggest challenge of all; The Marathon. Yes, The Marathon is the toughest street race in the Horizon Festival. Before getting ready, it's time to give the GR Supra the makeover it needs.

Mirrored in! See what I did?

With the GR Supra mirrored in and beefed up on steroids, it's ready to take on The Marathon, Horizon Festival's toughest street race. Do your best, my little BMW...errr....Toyota. Toyota! Yes! Just rooting for your Supra-ness in this ultimate street race!

Anyway, without further ado, The Marathon is on!

The Marathon of Horizon Mexico starts at the Horizon Street Scene site, then goes through the streets of Guanajuato, outside the stadium, the festival site, the Autopista, and then you'll fight through the stretching finale at the Gran Puente bridge. Endurance is key in this ultimate street race and a slight mistake will slip you out of the race. This ultimate cannonball run will be the true test for the GR Supra's potential as it tries to live up to its predecessor's street cred, you know what I say.

Having fought our way through this ultimate cannonball run, it looks like I and the Supra made it through the Gran Puente finale and won The Marathon. Well done!

The GR Supra...even though it's as German as the BMW Z4, it still lives up to its predecessor's street credentials and this is why most speedo boys ended up being on the Supra side rather than the Z4's side even though they're built on the same factory in Austria. Why? It's Japanese. Every speedo boy in the world loves Japanese sports cars nowadays even before The Fast and The Furious movies came out.

With The Marathon behind me now, it looks like I have one last challenge to take on Horizon Mexico. It's the big one; The Goliath. Better get ready because this is the biggest challenge I'll ever take on, even if it costs me.

The journey continues...

Forza Horizon 4: Der neu Z4

After a lengthy battle through the Spring Horizon Playlist, I got my hands on an all-new Bimmer which arrived in the world of Forza for the first time ever since it recently went on sale. Want to guess what that shiny new Bimmer is?



If your answer is a new Z4 G29, then you are correct. It really is the BMW Z4 G29, the latest generation of BMW's open-top roadster commonly driven by good-looking men around the horn.



So this is the new BMW Z4 Roadster, in case you didn't know what that Bimmer is, and this third-generation model is Z4 at its best. Apart from its concept-inspired exterior design, the new model brings back the soft-top roof that was absent from the previous model and it can be folded up or down in approximately ten seconds even at cruising speeds. Seen here is the range-topping M40i model with the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine producing 340PS of power, and 500Nm of torque, and when mated with the 8-speed AT, it does 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.



Like most festival goers, I got the chance to experience what's like to drive with the new BMW Z4 via the monthly rivals challenge and now here I am, battling my way through the Spring Horizon Playlist to get my hands on my own G29 Z4. Having learned from the Rivals event, the new Z4 feels relatively superior on the dynamics stakes and thanks to its 50-50 weight distribution, clever suspension setup, dramatic brakes, not to mention the M Sport differential, Adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes, and high-performance tires on this M40i, the new Z4 is on a totally different league with modern sports cars and it delivers a knife edge drive that will massively satisfy even the quirkiest of drivers. Quirk or no quirk, the new Z4 slices rather well.

Speaking of a knife edge, I got a bit of a brain wave to get the most out of the new BMW Z4 G29, and with that, it's off to the makeup room to prep the new Z4 with something special.





It may be like bringing a knife in a gunfight but this is rather like bringing a knife in a swordfight but anyway, with a piece of starlight shining through the new Z4...



...looks like our top star is ready to take on other modern sports cars just to show who has the right to be called the top star. So, without further ado, let battle commence.



Not the knife in the swordfight I was expecting it to be but here we are, a top star is born.



So, having a blast in the new Z4, the question that stands between everyone and the car is do they love the new Z4 or not? I mean come on, I read some juicy facts about the new Z4 as well as its Asian relative but does everyone consider the new Z4 as their favorite car for the moment? Love it or hate it, a Z4 is a Z4 and even when its Asian relative's several miles away from the gridlock, it performs just like its relative and there's no arguing about that.

That is the bottom line I can really conclude about my time with the new Z4. Enjoy your new ride.

BMW Z4 G29 vs. 8-Series Cabrio G14

BMW shook the world with the introduction of the new, third-generation, Z4 G29 roadster, and this new model is starting to regain its true form as a no-frills open-top sportscar that caters to even the most discerning car enthusiasts everywhere. So, what's it all about?

2020 BMW Z4

2020 BMW Z4

So this is the all-new BMW Z4 and what's not to like about the all-new model that is better than the previous Z4? The first Z4 is heavily made for the heartthrobs trying to woo the ladies with its sportscar charms that match the macho men of today while the second Z4 takes a more sensible approach with no hardcore stuff in sight. This new Z4 though is starting to return to its true form in new and exciting ways to entice Bimmer drivers that this is the sportscar to go for despite the Axis Powers connection between this car and a certain Japanese maker I can't spit it out until later.

First and foremost, the design, and while it draws inspiration from the concept car as seen from the 2017 Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach, the exterior design feels a bit more toned down compared to the concept but while it has some ups and downs its design process, it still appeals like the first Z4 made and by such demand, the soft-top roof that was absent from the previous model returns and it can be folded up or down in approximately ten seconds even while cruising on residential zones. With or without the roof, the new Z4 really shows its sportscar charisma, making it the ideal head-turner on the road.

2020 BMW Z4 interior

On the inside, the driver-focused interior really matches the Z4's charisma although most speedo boys will be having a hard time getting used to the new dashboard layout, the two-zone climate control, the Harman Kardon surround sound system, ambient lighting, and other high-tech stuff but as long as they're not bothering with any of the dashboard stuff, the true beauty of the Z4 lies within its driving experience.

2020 BMW Z4

The new Z4's starting price is 40.950 Euros for the base sDrive20i Advantage Steptronic, the one with the 197PS 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine mated to an 8-speed Steptronic with 7,3 l/100km of fuel economy on the WLTP scale combined but to get the most out of the new Z4, there's the high-end M40i variant, priced at 60,950 Euros, with the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine producing 340PS of power, 500Nm of torque, and when mated to the same gearbox I mentioned above, it does 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

Apart from the engines, the new Z4 is becoming more enjoyable to drive thanks to its new chassis design as well as its new suspension setup comprising of a double-joint spring strut axle at the front and a five-link rear axle, a first for a BMW roadster. With this setup as well as its lightweight design, the optimal weight distribution makes it a more enjoyable car to drive full-stop, not to mention its dramatic braking feel thanks to its lightweight braking system and other useful features, including the Performance Control function. In the M40i variant, however, this is a completely different story thanks to its M Sport differential, Adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes, and high-performance tires stuff like these makes it more like getting jabbed by a sweaty high-school girl several times. That hurts but that experience really makes it special.

So, the new BMW Z4 really is a driver's car that appeals just like the original but drives in a way it hasn't done before but for some gentlemen drivers, the new Z4 is much of a fluke because they had something better than the new Z4.

2019 BMW 8-Series Cabriolet

2019 BMW 8-Series Cabriolet

What this is is the new 8-Series Convertible, an open-top version of what is known to be the successor to the old 6-Series and since today's 8-Series is now based on the current 5-Series, it wasn't made to compete against grand tourers like the Bentley Continental GT. In fact, this is now an unrivaled grand tourer in its class, and for this convertible version, you can expect the same choice of engines as the coupe equivalent but the V8-powered M850i Cabrio with the 530PS 4.4L V8 Bi-Turbo is the only choice they had because the diesel variants are not friendly to European drivers right now.

2019 BMW 8-Series Cabriolet interior

2019 BMW 8-Series Cabriolet interior

Of course, while this is basically heavier not just the hardtop equivalent but also the new Z4 because it has an xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the same 8-speed Steptronic as the new Z4, not to mention every M Sport stuff mentioned above for the M850i variant, the new model chews the Z4 for breakfast, lunch, and tea, not because it has a 0-100kph time of 3,9 seconds but only because it has a lot of traction and grip to cleanly get past the Z4 like it was nothing happened. What a trump card this grand tourer has and unlike the Z4, this has two extra seats in the back but sadly, it's hard to squeeze through, meaning only your peripherals can fit into the rear seats following your trips to the rummage sale.

So, there we are, the 8-Series Cabriolet is by no means the ideal open-top BMW fit for gentlemen drivers everywhere but because of the 108,000 Euro price tag, looks like the Z4 wins because you can afford two for the price of one 8-Series Cabriolet while having some spare change for some stuff to do. 

The new Z4 is all about delivering old-school thrills to its new form while the new 8-Series Convertible is a grand tourer that handles almost everything on the road and on the track but either way, these new models will make the grand tour more interesting in the spring season and we can't blame either of these two for what they are capable of. Still, even though the new 8-Series Convertible's got the muscle for its start dash sensation, the new Z4 is still the best pick not only it's cheaper than the 8-Series Convertible but also much more enjoyable to drive full stop.

Photo: BMW AG

Forza Horizon 2: Meet the starters!

A few days ago, I finally picked my own copy on the XBOX One version of Forza Horizon 2 and I can't wait to see what it's like to enjoy the Southern European landscape by driving coast to coast with over two hundred of the world's scorching hot rides. As I began my Southern European journey on FH2, I have a choice of three starter cars to choose from, each with their own distinctive tastes and challenges await in each.

These are the starters:

 - 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is - The second-generation of BMW's open-top roadster offers a well-balanced breed of speed and mobility.



- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Coupe - This classic muscle car from Chevrolet offers straight-line performance.



- 1998 Toyota Supra - One of Japan's most iconic sportscars from that decade and one of the most iconic tuners of all time even post-discontinuation.



With three starters to choose from as they began their quest for fame at Southern Europe, it's very difficult to decide which is which but you know what, it's not quite difficult to decide because some would go for the Z4 because it's a well-balanced car, others for the Camaro because of its power, and some would want to go with the Supra because it's a popular tuner for many and they can spend their cash tweaking on its performance figures.

As for me, which of these three did I choose?



I chose the Z4 because, well don't get me wrong, but this car is well suited for this landscape and since I was starting with the Z4, I can't help but trying out this German roadster for a joyride.



Be it rain or shine, the Z4 never fails to impress me and since this is FH2, I want my car to be well suited for this occasion and for that, it's time for this car to get the Horizon makeover courtesy of extensive use of the game's design creator!



Voila! My Z4 is wearing its tradition Bimmer colors and notice those M-inspired stripes I made. It's done to give out the true BMW joy from within. I've even added some of my handmade Horizon Festival racing numbers on my car and I gave it an 89 because this is the E89 model.

After extensive makeovers, I sent my Z4 to take part in the first ever championship suitable for this car somewhere in the Castelletto area of Italy.

 

Having completed my first championship, looks like I'm now primed and ready for my Southern European journey on Forza Horizon 2.