It is not difficult to understand BMW’s decision to smooth off some of the original Z4’s keenness—for every driver that delighted in its scalpel-sharp driving dynamics and creased looks, there was another that found it too visceral and gauche. The simple solution: keep its classic roadster proportions, but make the new Z4 more spacious and forgiving by trading in some of the hard-core driving thrills for enhanced refinement.

The slick new folding metal roof is central to the Z4’s appeal—the lightweight two-piece canopy converts the car from a refined, cosseting coupe to an alfresco roadster at the touch of a button. It’s an exceptionally neat bit of origami—the two sections sit snugly together to preserve as much luggage space as possible. Believe it or not, there’s room for a full set of golf clubs in the trunk, and if you opt for the through hatch, you can take the Z4 on your next ski trip.

The top model, the sDrive35i, is powered by BMW’s award-winning 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine. The second-generation Z4 may have put on some weight—it’s gained a rather hefty 363 pounds over the models it replaces—but the fabulously smooth and gutsy 6-cylinder engine delivers searing acceleration, accompanied by a delicious redline howl.

The engine works hand in glove with BMW’s superb new 7-speed Double-Clutch Transmission. In automatic, shifts are barely perceptible, with only a modified engine note signaling a ratio change. Switch to manual mode using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and the transmission machine-guns its way through gears more quickly and cleanly than any manual three-pedal setup.

Some Z4 diehards might view the new model as a sellout. Yes, it’s bigger, heavier, and softer, but don’t worry—what the sDrive35i loses in driver engagement, it more than makes up for with a newfound versatility.