After the company's earlier Z 9 did not meet expectations, Zbrojovka Brno wanted to license a design from German manufacturer DKW so they could start producing a front-wheel drive car, but that idea was dropped due to the high licensing fees that would have been required.

In the early 1930s, Zbrojovka Brno produced the Z 9, a car whose sales results did not meet expectations.

Zbrojovka Brno decided to develop a car on the same concept, but without using DKW's patented solutions.

The car, with the advertising nickname "Strong Four", debuted in April 1933 at the Prague Motor Show.

[3][2] Production was terminated by a decision of the Ministry of Defence (MNO) on October 15, 1936; the last cars were sold in 1937.

A total of 2,750 units were produced in five production series, making the Z 4 the most successful car of the brand.

[4] In 1934, a series of five racing Z 4s were created using a modified chassis, with an aerodynamic aluminium coupé body in a drop-influenced shape.

Three of the cars participated in the second year of the Czechoslovak 1,000-mile race and won the President's Award for the best factory team.