The E89 Z4 was the first Z Series model to use a retractable hardtop roof, which meant that there were no longer separate roadster and coupé versions of the car.

[5][6][7][8][9] The Z4 (E89) was officially announced on 13 December 2008[10][11][12] and was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, alongside the MINI Convertible.

[18][19][20] An optional Design Pure Impulse package was also offered, having colour matching Alcantara or Nappa leather, and BMW Individual anthracite roof lining.

[24][25] The E89 Z4 came standard with BMW EfficientDynamics technologies,[26] such as regenerative braking[27] and electric power steering.

[28] Models also feature an electric parking brake,[29] engine start-stop system, directional headlights,[30] and a driving mode selector with Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes which adjust throttle and gearbox behaviour, power steering weighting, and the adjustable dampers (with the optional 'Electronic Damper Control').

[31][32] The models could also be ordered with the iDrive infotainment system with BMWConnected services and keyless entry.

It was only available with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in the M Sport trim,[40] and uses an upgraded version of the N54 engine shared with the 1 Series M Coupé.

[43] The body of the Zagato Coupé was built entirely by hand and includes a double-bubble roof[44] and Rosso Vivace paint which changes colour depending on the lighting, ranging from a near black to a bright red.

[48] The Zagato roadster has a black interior, with a strip of brown leather trim extending to the roll-over hoops.

Turner Motorsport won the inaugural 2014 Tudor United SportsCar GT-Daytona Championship with an altered version of the Z4 GT3.