One of the many models that BMW India will launch this year is the brand-new Z4 sports car. It first broke cover in August last year, at the 2018 Monterey Car Week. While that event is reserved for the super-wealthy, regular people got a chance to see in the flesh at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. India is expected to get two variants of the topless two-seater – the M40i and the entry-level sDrive20i. The latter is likely to be available in the M Sport trim. Let’s unravel what both of them will bring to the party.

First up, the comparatively pocket-friendlier sDrive20i. Under the bonnet, it will house a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine which is good for 197PS/320Nm. All of that will be harnessed and fed to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. For that extra something, BMW has also fitted a mild-hybrid system to the engine which not only helps in improving fuel-efficiency but also works along with the internal combustion engine under certain circumstances. Performance? BMW claims a 0-100kmph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 240kmph.

Over to the M40i. It gets the firepower from a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that puts out 340PS/500Nm. Transmission duties are handled by an 8-speed auto and, like the sDrive20i, the M40i also gets a mild-hybrid system. The difference, however, is in the size of the battery – 80Ah vs 90Ah. As you’d expect, the Z4 M40i is quicker to reach 100kmph from nought (4.5 seconds) and has higher top speed (250kmph).

As standard, the BMW Z4 is quite handsomely equipped. The list includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED-powered headlights, DRLs and taillamps, auto headlamps and wipers, heated windscreen washer jets, twin exhaust outlets and heated, electric rear window. Inside, the list of gizmos includes a digital instrument cluster, two-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a multifunction and leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and sports seats.

In the M40i, the kit is extended with features like 19-inch alloy wheels, Adaptive M suspension, M seatbelts and sports seats, M Sport differential, electric seats with memory function for driver and an interior finished in Vernasca/Alcantara leather upholstery. Obviously, the safety package is right up there with the best as the BMW Z4 brings features like automatic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system, traction control, cornering brake control and an electromechanical parking brake with an auto-hold function.

So, there you have it. The sexy Z4 is India-bound and if you want one, you can register your interest on BMW’s India website. The same can be done for the BMW X7 too which, as we reported earlier this year, will be making its entry in India this year. Unlike the Z4, however, the X7 will be locally assembled.