19 October 2002: There's 'been a lot of interest' in the new BMW Z4 in Ireland, according to Motor Import Ltd, franchisees for the brand in this country. That's despite the fact that the car won't see these shores until April of next year.

As I write this, I've not driven the car. But when I next write, I will have. And I'll be able to report on a promise made last night that I will be 'thrilled'.

So far, I don't know either how many Irish owners will be thrilled when it comes available, but around the world there will be 55,000 buyers a year who BMW expect will pay the price for what they belive will be the ultimate 'premium roadster' on the market.

They are convinced to the point that they expect the Z4 - a replacement for the Z3 that brings the concept considerably upmarket in their eyes, and perhaps in price - to enlarge their customer base and attract owners who have never bought a BMW before.

They should know what they're at. BMW has been building roadsters since 1938. The famous 328, for you Beemer buffs. Then, remember the 507? More recently the 'Z' cars - 1, 3, 8 and now 4.

"The Z4 has been designed as a roadster from the ground up," we were told last night. "That is reflected in its torsional stiffness, which is exeptional."

As is the weight savings, which in the 3-litre version, against the equivalent Z3, is significantly lighter. Aluminium, magnesium and high tensile steel in the car's construction play a large part in this.

There's also as close to a 50/50 weight distribution as you can get, which for a front-engine/rear drive car is what it's all about in balanced handling.

The steering has no hydraulics - just a direct mechanical linkage for which an electronic box decides the amount of power steering required, if required.

The Z4 has runflat tyres, which the carmaker says will not cause problems on less than best roads, 'because the suspension and the runflat tyres were both developed together'.

And if a puncture happens, you can get home even if home is 150km away. At a 'reasonable' speed.

There are going to be 2.5- and 3-litre cars, but no plans are in place for an 'entry-level' 2-litre, as the new car is so far more than the Z3 that 'it needs a 6-cylinder engine'.

Other things to keep in mind about the new car are a brand new 6-speed gearbox, a sequential clutchless manual available as an option, and the fact that the hardtop version will be available from autumn of 2003.

No 'coupe cabriolet' here with a metal folding roof: the BMW people say the new car was designed from the first as a soft-top, to be true to the tradition. Anyway, the roof itself can be put up in 8-10sec, and it has a metal cover which eliminates the need for an extra tonneau cover.

After later today, I'll tell you how much of the promise is fulfilled.