> Introduction by Bob Hume
I met Andy MacKay on a recent press trip to Inverness - he's been a writer of some repute for over thirty years, having started work at the Glasgow Herald as a desk editor. He has written on and edited such diverse subjects as travel, legal, education, appointments, property and of course, motoring. Andrew is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and has worked extensively on various road safety campaigns with Strathclyde Police and Glasgow City Council.
It should be noted that amongst other things, Andy is an expert on Scottish whiskies and during an extensive sampling session that lasted well into the early hours, he almost convinced me that some of it was alright...
> BMW Z4 by Andrew MacKay
The VisitScotland team must have one of the easiest marketing jobs in the UK. Selling Scotland has to be as simple as selling Mars bars or Kit Kats at the school tuck shop. Why do I say this you may ask? Well, the rationale behind my thoughts is that last week I made the drive
from Inverness in the middle-east of Scotland across country on the A835 by Rogie Falls and Loch Garve to the A832, which has to be the greatest scenic route in the world as it passes along Strath Bran to Achnasheen and on to Kinlochewe, Loch Maree and the Gair Loch.
On the way there were mountains, lochs, winding roads stretching into infinity, glorious scenery and sunshine. If you have never made this journey that can be done in around two hours without stopping (that is the tricky bit), you must do it right away and tell your uncles, aunts, cousins and friends that Scotland is not just the brave it is the best.
It does help if you have been handed the keys to a suitable driving companion and also teamed up with a co-driver that is sensible and does not have a preference for driving sideways on two wheels. My purpose was to drive the new BMW Z4, which on a good day and in the right place is an open car, its two-piece metal roof cleverly rising and falling into the boot. Folding roof systems are of course 10 a penny these days but for those possessed with time and speed it takes 20 seconds to make a change.
The basic statistics of this new Z4 are that the car is longer and wider but it has been sufficiently changed to give it a new and clear identity despite there being a trace of the old model evident. I think BMW buyers will approve its new look and be delighted to hear that it delivers a virtually blemish-free ride and performance.
Some of the time I was only there for the view but as my co-driver laced the car with some spirit round tightish bends and engaged in some seriously powerful overtaking manoeuvres I never felt the slightest tense, I could feel the car's grip tightening to the road as it was pushed harder and harder.
Under the bonnet there's a choice of three six-cylinder engines, the 23i has 204ps, the 30i has 258ps with the top gun 35i having 306ps. The first one I drove was the top of the range car that came with a (specified) six-speed sport automatic gearbox that featured gear- change paddles at the steering wheel. Yes, it is powerful and it felt strong in acceleration. BMW says that it will reach 60mph in 5.1 seconds. I have no reason to doubt this as it shifted smartly along the road but it seemed to do so with not much exciting exhaust noise, mind you we did have the roof in place. The other two models are no slouches either, the 23i gets to 60mph in 6.6 seconds while the 30i does it in 6.1 seconds.
The passenger cabin has a premium feel with switches and instruments presenting no real problems in their operation. I usually play around with paddle shifters for a while until I get bored and this I did with the new Z4, however, I know many drivers will be thrilled with them.
The iDrive system works well on the BMW and it is becoming easier to get around. I was impressed with the satellite navigation that gave a view of the ground as if from space; quite an interesting development this.
My second drive was in the 23i that was mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. After a few miles I was particularly at home with this car. Whether it was that lovely oil through metal feel as I changed gear or the totally composed aspect the car portrayed, I don't know but I liked the drive and I was less keen to give it up to my co-driver at the half-way stage. I had the roof tucked away in the boot during this drive, "outside" the wind was high and I felt a fair bit of buffering in the passenger cabin.
The new Z4 has lots of goodies such as Adaptive M Suspension that has electronically controlled dampers to offer different ride dynamics, an Efficient Dynamics programme, Brake Energy Regeneration and an optimum shift indicator.
Getting behind the wheel of this car is not going to break the bank, the price range starts from £28,650 and goes up to £37,065. I dare say the populations that live along the A832 will be thinking the local BMW dealer is having a fire sale on these models as over three days some 30 models in various hues passed by their doors.
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