The BMW Z8, CHASSIS CODE E52, must certainly not have an introduction if you are familiar with historical BMW models. With an S62 V8 engine and a Slick Sub-switch gear that was lifted directly from the legendary E39 M5, it is probably one of the most impressive vehicles that ever carry the round. Of course ironic, because it doesn’t even wear an M badge! But the history of origin of the car is decided, much more modest than the endless awards of the car you would start. Or, what she wears, let us put it this way: The Z8 we know today really deserves eight in his name.
Codename E507
In essence, the Z8 is the spiritual successor to the legendary BMW 507. At the beginning – someday in May 1993 – Chris Bangle was the head of the design at BMW and had just hired Henrik Fisker to pay some homage to the car. Fisker got to work, but he was not the only one who worked on a range-top premium convertible. At the same time, BMW planned the next generation of the BMW 5 Series. And at least early was the list “Project E51”, a Roadster version that aims to steal the Mercedes SL buyer from the three-point star. Fortunately, the version that Fisker came for us was remarkably close to what the production model looked like. And of course a 5 with a chopped roof was not the same with the painfully pretty Z8. So E507 – as the Z8 was identified – was the E52.
While the Z8 looks for some thanks to its retro look for some (um, um, time), it is really not the case. Retro was already fashionable. At about the same time, Fisker debut the Porsche Boxster with the Z8. While this model would not be debut for four years, the Porsche 550 Spyder paid great fees in the 1950s. The 1995 Chrysler Atlantic Concept has practically stolen the third of the Bugatti Type 57. Audi also made a concept that was to fall back on the brand’s aluminum racing car in the 1930s. The Z8 was exactly what – and when – it had to be.
The rest is history
After the car had been presented to the board in June 1994 and E51 went the way of the Dodo, the Z8 had years before production. The Z07 concept debut in Japan in 1997 at the Tokyo Auto Show. It created chatt and appreciation that were appropriate with its cool as Ice Retro Vibes. And while the Z07 concept contained a radical double bubble roof that never made it into production, it is quite close to what it did in production. And what is perhaps more important, it is still a much more elegant solution than the proposed mechanical folding roof that would have been published in the E51 project. Maybe that was the turner, but … Well, we doubt it. Just look at the car!
The Z8 was a rare moment when design, market and management checked the right boxes. And even today it is one of the most sought -after models in BMW history. You can learn more about the design of the Z8 and other stories in Steve Saxty’s book. BMW from design. There we have received a lot of new information about this story. Take a look at all of his BMW books here!
