We have z-scoop on Z9.
BY STEVE SILER, PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANS G. LEHMANN/HIDDEN IMAGE
January 2007
Generally speaking, the more highly anticipated the car, the more difficult it is to get any advanced information on it—let alone pictures. However, our well-placed spies and informants have nabbed one of the hottest properties in all of automobiledom: the upcoming BMW Z9.
Though the body panels on this prototype probably have some small German village wondering what happened to all of its trash cans, there is much we can deduce about the successor to the limited production Z8 (below right), thought by many to be one of the most beautiful cars in BMW’s illustrious history.
For starters, obviously, this is a two-seat convertible. But rumor is that a folding hardtop will be an option, and we have on relatively good authority that the Z9 will be offered as a curvy coupe, too (the better to go after the Ferrari 599GTB with, we surmise). We imagine both cars will share the B-pillarless windows—which include the trademark “Hoffmeister Kink” in the C-pillar area. It appears that the vehicle is a bit less than 180 inches in length, while weight estimates put it in the same league as the Chevrolet Corvette.
The long nose further suggests that, like the Z8, the engine will be front-mid-mounted, with rear-wheel drive. The portholes on the side indicate that it will be yet another vehicle to feature trendy fender vents, although at least BMW can claim to have been doing them ever since the legendary late-50s 507 roadster (the car which itself provided the inspiration for the Z8 and thus the Z9).
As for what’s lurking beneath what’s certain to be a more lovingly sculpted hood than the one we see here, we estimate that base Euro-market models could get the 335i’s turbocharged, 300-hp 3.0-liter inline-six, while U.S. models would get the upcoming M3’s V-8 delivering over 400 horsepower to start, with the M5/M6’s splendid 5.0-liter 500-hp V-10 and possibly a 6.3-liter V-12 with more than 600 horsepower available as upgrades. BMW’s SMG is certain to be offered, but whether BMW will give us a traditional manual transmission is unclear at this point.
One of our sources has suggested that BMW would like to build some 15,000 units per year of the new Z9, making it far less exclusive than the Z8, which only tallied 5703 sales in the short time it was on the market. We think that’s a bit ambitious, particularly considering that the competitive set will have swollen by the time the Z9 hits—probably in about two years—to include the Audi R8, Lexus LF-A, and possibly the new Acura NSX and mid-engine Mercedes-Benz Gullwing. Thus, we don’t think BMW could get away with charging much more than $100K for the base models, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see V-12 versions approach $200K.
Story Car & Driver.com
BY STEVE SILER, PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANS G. LEHMANN/HIDDEN IMAGE
January 2007
Generally speaking, the more highly anticipated the car, the more difficult it is to get any advanced information on it—let alone pictures. However, our well-placed spies and informants have nabbed one of the hottest properties in all of automobiledom: the upcoming BMW Z9.
Though the body panels on this prototype probably have some small German village wondering what happened to all of its trash cans, there is much we can deduce about the successor to the limited production Z8 (below right), thought by many to be one of the most beautiful cars in BMW’s illustrious history.
For starters, obviously, this is a two-seat convertible. But rumor is that a folding hardtop will be an option, and we have on relatively good authority that the Z9 will be offered as a curvy coupe, too (the better to go after the Ferrari 599GTB with, we surmise). We imagine both cars will share the B-pillarless windows—which include the trademark “Hoffmeister Kink” in the C-pillar area. It appears that the vehicle is a bit less than 180 inches in length, while weight estimates put it in the same league as the Chevrolet Corvette.
The long nose further suggests that, like the Z8, the engine will be front-mid-mounted, with rear-wheel drive. The portholes on the side indicate that it will be yet another vehicle to feature trendy fender vents, although at least BMW can claim to have been doing them ever since the legendary late-50s 507 roadster (the car which itself provided the inspiration for the Z8 and thus the Z9).
As for what’s lurking beneath what’s certain to be a more lovingly sculpted hood than the one we see here, we estimate that base Euro-market models could get the 335i’s turbocharged, 300-hp 3.0-liter inline-six, while U.S. models would get the upcoming M3’s V-8 delivering over 400 horsepower to start, with the M5/M6’s splendid 5.0-liter 500-hp V-10 and possibly a 6.3-liter V-12 with more than 600 horsepower available as upgrades. BMW’s SMG is certain to be offered, but whether BMW will give us a traditional manual transmission is unclear at this point.
One of our sources has suggested that BMW would like to build some 15,000 units per year of the new Z9, making it far less exclusive than the Z8, which only tallied 5703 sales in the short time it was on the market. We think that’s a bit ambitious, particularly considering that the competitive set will have swollen by the time the Z9 hits—probably in about two years—to include the Audi R8, Lexus LF-A, and possibly the new Acura NSX and mid-engine Mercedes-Benz Gullwing. Thus, we don’t think BMW could get away with charging much more than $100K for the base models, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see V-12 versions approach $200K.
Story Car & Driver.com