BMW Travel Diaries: Crossing the Alps with the new BMW 4 Series and the new BMW Z4.

Munich/Bolzano. Longing for summer makes us look south. More than ever, the new BMW 4 Series Convertible and the new BMW Z4 invite you to discover the ideal place in the sun. Just like the new BMW 4 Series Coupé, the open-top four-seater comes with fresh design accents and numerous refined details. The Roadster, with its new drive concept, encourages drivers to tackle winding mountain passes on their way to southern climes. A tour of three countries - from the foothills of the Bavarian Alps through the Austrian state of Tyrol to the edge of the Dolomites in northern Italy - gives a perfect impression of how driving pleasure can be experienced in BMW M automobiles with in-line six-cylinder engines with different characters.

At the start of the journey to Lake Tegernsee, a grey veil lies over the landscape. Gusty winds, low-hanging clouds, windscreen wipers in constant use - this is the route along the southern shore of the lake. Shortly afterwards, we pass the traditional spa town of Kreuth before reaching the border crossing to Austria, which, almost 30 years after joining the Schengen Agreement, is hardly recognisable as a former border post.

8-speed Steptronic and BMW xDrive meet manual transmission and rear-wheel drive.

The first highlight of the route is the almost ten-kilometre-long "coastal road" along Lake Achensee. By now, the in-line six-cylinder engines of the M Performance models have reached operating temperature. The engines in the new BMW M440i xDrive Convertible generate 275 kW/374 hp (consumption combined: 8.7 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO₂ emissions: 197 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G) and in the BMW M440i xDrive Coupé (consumption combined: 8.5 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO₂ emissions: 192 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G). The 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive ensure that all this power is transferred to the road with maximum confidence.

The BMW Z4 M40i in the Pure Impulse Edition (consumption combined: 8.7 litres/100 km (62 miles); combined CO₂ emissions: 197 g/km according to WLTP, CO₂ class: G): The 250 kW/340 hp engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission for the first time. The manual transmission features M-specific components in the gear wheel set and shaft area, as well as an external gear shift mechanism that been specially designed exclusively for the Roadster and its six-cylinder in-line engine. The torque is transmitted to the rear wheels in the classic manner.

If you 'change gear' at Maurach in time to take the right-hand turnoff, you will soon reach the village of Jenbach with direct access to the Inn Valley motorway. But as the first rays of sunshine break through the clouds, we spontaneously decide to take the parallel country road to Innsbruck. Shortly after the Jenbacher Museum, we take an extra lap around the roundabout. At the push of a button, the soft tops open.

New: Laserlight rear lights for Coupé and Convertible, Roadster with axle-specific wheel dimensions.

A brief stopover in the Tyrolean capital provides an opportunity to take a look at the latest design innovations for the Convertible, Coupé and Roadster. The two four-seaters now feature particularly striking headlights and Laserlight rear lights in the style of the special edition BMW M4 CSL, as well as new paintwork. In addition to the exclusive Frozen Deep Green metallic paint finish, the BMW Z4 Pure Impulse Edition is available in a choice of seven other paint finishes. In addition to the high-gloss black exterior mirror caps, the dark-coloured M light alloy wheels also invite you to take a closer look when viewed from the side. They measure 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. The axle-specific wheel dimensions, used for the first time on the Roadster, are the most visible part of a comprehensive chassis modification. The positive effects on cornering behaviour will become apparent later.

Driving through Innsbruck, the Bergisel ski jump on the southern outskirts of the city repeatedly catches your eye. It is traditionally the third stop on the annual Four Hills Tournament. Its jump tower was completely rebuilt in 2002 and 2003. The plans were drawn up by architect Zeha Hadid, who also designed the BMW Group's central building in Leipzig, which was completed a year later.

But winter sports are naturally out of the question today. Instead, the old Brenner Pass road is ideal for relaxed cruising, with the occasional short burst of speed and plenty of twists and turns. It is about 35 kilometres to the Austrian-Italian border and the almost 1,400 metre high Brenner Pass. The road was the main north-south link between Austria and Italy until the Brenner motorway was built and opened to traffic along its entire length in 1971. If you take the historic route today, you can admire the Europe Bridge along the way. At up to 190 metres above the ground, Austria's highest bridge carries the motorway over the Wipp Valley between Patsch and Schönberg.

Driving over the Brenner Pass is the ideal foretaste of the most challenging and eventful stage of the Three Countries Tour. From Sterzing, the shortest route to Merano leads over the Jaufenpass at an altitude of just under 2 100 metres. The 50-kilometre route, with its numerous serpentine bends, makes it particularly interesting to compare the two driving concepts.

On the winding mountain passes, the Coupé, Convertible and Roadster show their individual strengths.

Comfortable driving pleasure quickly turns into an ambitious search for the ideal line on the winding tarmac in the BMW M440i xDrive Convertible and BMW M440i xDrive Coupé. The 8-speed sports transmission Steptronic always finds the right gear for dynamic acceleration out of the bend, even after abrupt braking manoeuvres before a particularly tight bend.

The design of the BMW xDrive system, with its emphasis on the rear wheels, and the M Sport differential in the final drive also help to ensure that the power is always directed to where it is most effective for maximum driving dynamics. The sporty driving experience and expressive sound of the in-line six-cylinder engine are complemented by magnificent panoramic views. After every bend there is a new view of Alpine peaks and green valleys.

The BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse Edition leaves it to the driver to select the right gear for the ideal engine speed. The pedals and gearshift lever can also be used to compose a fascinating soundtrack, which flows directly from the exhaust system's trapezoidal tailpipes into the interior of the two-seater.

Like the drive concept, the model-specific suspension technology is designed to emphasise the Roadster's purist character more than ever before. In addition to the exclusive wheel combination, a stiffer anti-roll bar clamp on the front axle, specific additional springs and modified characteristic maps for the electronically controlled shock absorbers of the Adaptive M Chassis are used. In the hairpin bends before and after the summit, the new software settings for the variable sport steering, traction control and M Sport differential are particularly effective. In the BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse Edition, the direct steering into the bend and the increased directional stability during the next acceleration phase ultimately ensure an unadulterated performance experience characterised by purist driving pleasure.

Beyond St. Leonhard, the sports programme comes to an end. On its south-western section, the Jaufen road winds its way down into the Passeier Valley in wide bends. The spa town of Merano is soon reached. At this point, at the latest, you will begin to feel the hoped-for Mediterranean flair. The surrounding area is full of opportunities for cycling, hiking and climbing. The BMW 4 Series Convertible, the BMW 4 Series Coupé and the BMW Z4 continue on the MeBo, the main road that links Merano with Bolzano. Passing Lana, Terlan and Eppan, it leads through the Etschtal valley directly to the South Tyrolean capital. Once there, the traveller is faced with a choice: back to the cold north, or further south towards the sun? As long as the soft top is open, the choice is not all that difficult.