FROM DREAM TO REALITY - THE BMW Z8

The BMW Z07 concept car, first shown at the Tokyo Show in October 1997, has blossomed from a dream into a production reality. Production of the BMW Z8, as the new super sports car will be called, was announced at the Detroit Show on 4 January 1999.

Designed for connoisseurs, the BMW Z8 will be both very exclusive and a technological tour de force. Its blend of aesthetic design and dynamic performance is born of BMW's desire to show how the 1956 BMW 507 might have developed had it been an integral part of the BMW range in the intervening period.

The evocative and exotic styling of Z8 will echo the Z07 concept car very closely. The broad kidney grille and small xenon headlights faired in by glass covers flow into a long bonnet with muscular wheel arches and wide doors rounded off by a shapely yet purposeful tail with four large tailpipes. The Z8 will even bear the typical 507 air scoops on its front wings whilst a luxurious leather interior will be set off by a central instrument binnacle redolent of the great era of convertible cars.

Under the skin of its flowing body, the Z8 is pure technology. Built on an aluminium alloy spaceframe and carrying an all-aluminium body, with the exception of the bumpers, the Z8 will ride on aluminium suspension components, as pioneered on the BMW 5 Series. The entire front axle and subframe of the Z8 is fabricated from this weight-saving material. New rack and pinion steering provides outstanding road feel whilst new double spoke 18 inch alloy wheels (8 inch front, 9 inch rear) are mounted with 245/45 R18 and 275/40 R18 run flat tyres.

The power unit for the BMW Z8 is no less than the five litre eight cylinder engine from the M5. Producing 400 bhp and 500 Nm of torque and driving through a manual six speed gearbox, the Z8's performance more than matches its looks - 0-62 mph in under five seconds, whilst 0-62 mph and back to zero in less than eight seconds proves it stops as well as it goes.

The legendary beauty of the 507 has been re-incarnated in the Z8 and as befitting such a special car, like its predecessor, the Z8 will only be built in very small numbers.

Official photographs of the Z8 will be released later in the year at which time more details on availability and introduction dates can be expected. The Z8 will only be produced as a left hand drive model.