New BMW Z4 2020 pricing and specs detailed: M40i flagship powers up

For 2020, BMW has increased the power output from its Z4 M40i flagship by 35kW, without adjusting its price from $124,900 plus on-road costs.

The range-topping Z4 now generates 285kW/500Nm from its 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, putting it in line with other M Performance models like the M350i sports sedan and the X3/X4 M40i SUVs.

This means that the Z4 roadster will now accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds, which is four tenths of a second faster than the model that launched earlier this year.

BMW has made no changes to the rest of the range, with the base sDrive 20i and mid-spec sDrive 30i holding steady at $84,900 and $104,900, respectively.

The updated BMW Z4 M40i will be available by Q1, 2020.

As before, the 20i utilises a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 145kW/320Nm, and like the rest of the range, is standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

However, the base variant can be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission at no extra cost, which according to BMW, does not effect its ability to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

The sDrive 30i uses the same 2.0-litre engine, with a significantly warmer tune. It is capable of a 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds, and produces 190kW and 400Nm.

Other than the increased power output, stepping up to the M40i affords customers a unique suspension setup, an M Sport Differential and a 12-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system.

Dealerships will offer the 2020 BMW Z4 in the first quarter of next year.