Studie AG BMW Z4 M Coupes - Apples & Oranges

The exterior conversion began with BMW Motorsport front and rear bumpers, four fenders and side skirts constructed in dry carbon and weighing almost nothing. To this, the tuner added a dry carbon rear wing from SARD (Sigma Automotive Racing Development) in Japan. This was initially fitted only to the orange car, but has since been installed on the green one as well. The bright paintwork was inspired by the endurance racers seen at the Ring but are a custom mix since nothing was available off the shelf.

Both cars use super-lightweight BBS RE wheels constructed from forged magnesium. Measuring 19x8.5" front and 19x9.5" rear, they were dressed in 255/30 front and 275/40-19 rear Yokohama Advan Sport tires for superior grip on the track.Behind the wheels of the green car were Brembo six-piston calipers clamping 355mm rotors up front, with four-piston calipers and 345mm rotors at the rear. The orange car was slightly different, employing AP Racing six-pot brakes instead.

With dramatic weight savings from the carbon bodywork, engine tuning was no longer a priority so was limited to a K&N Ram-Charger intake on the green car and a BMC carbon intake on the other. Both then used a special titanium exhaust system from Japanese manufacturer Arqray, and we can report it sounded very angry as a result.

For the suspension, the green Z4MC went with three-way adjustable Sachs Race Engineering coilovers and Auto Refine anti-roll bars, while the orange one got Bilstein coilovers in all four corners.

The interiors of both had different treatments as well, with the green Z4MC receiving the most attention. For starters, it had a pair of Japanese-market Recaro SP-GTII seats trimmed by Robson Leather in Dakota tan leather with matching door trims. A Momo Racing steering wheel was then trimmed in green alcantara, with a matching shifter and e-brake. A further splash of color was added when the dashboard and center console were color-matched to the exterior, eradicating all memories of the somber stock interior.

Behind the Recaros was a painted roll-bar with cross-brace to stiffen the shell, while the trunk housed a Sparco box designed to secure a pair of crash helmets when not in use.The orange car was more conservative, except for the Racer SP-G driver's seat. Otherwise, it featured a Momo steering wheel, golfball shift knob plus color-matched door pulls and gear lever surround.

Studie's goal had always been to create two street versions of the Z4 M Coupe used in the German VLN race series. As you can see, they achieved that goal and then some. In fact, they have what must be two of the wildest Z4s in the world.