The retro craze that raged throughout the ‘90s produced a bunch of questionable designs, to be sure. Although it originated in Japan, it soon contaminated the whole world, like a true Coronavirus avant la lettre, including Germany. Among the many European misses were a few hits, like the BMW Z8.
What makes this design stand out? Several things, but chief among them is the front end. In contrast to the smaller kidney openings prevalent on BMWs of the period – and the hypertrophic and angular atrocities of today, the Z8 displays a wide split grille that really doesn’t belong in the Bavarian marque’s usual lexicon. Well, almost…
The Z8 is, of course, a deep bow to the 1955-59 BMW 507, which featured a similar un-kidneyfied arrangement. The V8-powered 507 was a notorious sales flop, utterly failing to follow in the Mercedes 300 SL’s wake, but it eventually gained full-fledged icon status as one of the most stunning ‘50s sports car designs this side of the Alps.
BMW nearly went belly-up after the 507, but it was still a source of justified pride for the carmaker. By the ‘90s, with the retro craze in full swing and plenty of Deutschemarks in the bank, BMW felt the time had come to echo the flawed diamond of a roadster they had attempted decades ago, but with a view to making it a success, of course. After a long gestation, the above S07 prototype was unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, leaving many a mouth (and potentially quite a few wallets) agape. This was followed by a bubble-topped coupé variant, shown at the Detroit Motor Show in 1998.
The S07 was the work of Danish designer Henrik Fisker. Chris Bangle supervised its finalization as the Z8, which was unveiled in late 1999 and went on sale in March 2000. The coupé never made it to production, but the Z8 roadster closely resembled the ’97 prototype, faithfully rendering a modern take on the 507 in most respects bar the rear end, which ended up a lot more rounded than the (modestly-)finned ‘50s supercar. Those thin rear light clusters really add a touch of class to the hind quarters. Is it me, or is there a hint of Panhard 24 in there?
The interior is its own thing, bearing absolutely no resemblance to the 507, while keeping true to the retro vibe of the whole car. Centrally-mounted gauges were really making a comeback in those days, though why they would be offered on a sports car only produced in LHD is a bit of a puzzle. Interesting placement for the ignition barrel, way up on the dash there.
Scott Lampert is credited with the design. It’s certainly not like anything else, and colourful too. But I cannot help but feel that the banjo-esque steering wheel and cutesy cream plastic-tipped controls look a lot more at home in a Nissan Pao than in a V8-powered German roadster, retro or not. At least, said V8 power – all 395hp and 4.9 litres of it – is correctly sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed Getrag manual gearbox. That makes it go quite fast, if you can handle the rather harsh suspension and the copious amount of wind turbulence. But the Z8 was not created to be a Ferrari rival.
It was, however, crafted out of pure aluminium. The chassis, a lot of the suspension pieces and the body were all created specifically for the Z8. There was real attention to detail and high-level commitment behind this project. It’s kind of like the antithesis of the Chrysler Crossfire.
As a pure exercise in nostalgic reflection on BMW’s roughest era, and as a limited production halo car, the Z8 was about as successful as they come. Despite the $135k price tag, American customers rushed to sign the dotted line. BMW initially announced only 400 units would be reserved for that market, but soon revised this cap – after all, one must sell people what they want. An Alpina variant was even created, specially aimed at that market (and Japan), with an automatic transmission.
Production was halted in 2003, by which time 5703 cars had been made. By comparison, the 507 barely broke 250 units. Adjusting for inflation, it could be said that the two models fared about the same (he he he…). All kidding aside, the Z8 was purposely made to celebrate BMW’s resurgence. Having finally become a true equal to Mercedes-Benz in terms of sales numbers, a hot SL-like two-seater was the one thing BMW needed to match Stuttgart’s lineup in full. But once the point was made, the Bavarians had no follow-up – until the i8 showed up ten years later.
The best angle, in my view, is the one above. It’s the least ostensibly retro and 507-flavoured bit of the car. Too bad Fisker left Munich to become styling chief at Aston Martin even before the Z8 went on sale, leaving Bangle in complete control of BMW styling – for better and, in the eyes of many, for worse. Is the Z8 the best-looking BMW of the ‘90s/’00s? Sure, why not. I still prefer the 507.
Related post:
Curbside Outtake: Country Correct Plate BMW Z8, by Peter N
Not a Bimmer-fan at all. But man, I really LOVE that butt. Well, and her face and her body, too. Gimme the mine in Tourqouise-metallic and with beige leather interior, please.
James Bond drove one of these and it was cheesily sawed in half. Poor Pierce Brosnan, he got stuck with some silly/awful scripts except for Goldeneye(one of my favorite Bond movies)
I like the exterior quite a bit. But that dash with the odd arrangement would be tough to live with.
The red car way at the top of the article is awesome.
The center instruments of the Z8 proved to be a harbinger of bad design to come from BMW. I wonder if these were any higher quality than the self-recycling E39s they were based on. The survivors have silly prices now, so I doubt I’ll meet someone who is daily driving one today. There are a couple of Z8s in the fancy neighborhoods which abut my not quite fancy neighborhood, and I think they’re the much more desirable Z8s instead of the similar appearing but completely neutered Alpina Roadster V8s.
“I wonder if these were any higher quality than the self-recycling E39s they were based on.”
Don’t worry. There is a 50 year spare part supply warranty for the Z8 (laughter).
Of course I like the S07, I own a Miata RF.
Only saw one ever. I can’t appreciate any interior with center-mounted gauges and dislike retro-for-retro’s sake, for my taste interiors need to be efficient and safe and simple. My 2000 Prelude. all black, big gauges, big buttons on everything but the radio.
As for the exterior though… stunning. No additional words do justice.
Neil Peart waxed eloquently on his own Z8 in “Traveling Music”, check it out.
I never noticed the similarity of the rear section between the Z8 and Panhard 24, but now I can’t unsee it. Both cars amongst the best-looking ever IMO. I like the interior, including the retro bits like the art-deco steering wheel spokes and off-white Bakelite-looking switchgear. Although I’m usually critical of center-mount instrument clusters, I can live with this one because it’s so right for this design. A+.
I haven’t seen one or looked in detail at photos of one for some time but to me this is ageing very well and I can see a definite attraction. As you say, part of the retro-style phase and more successful than many or most (it works even if you get the retro links – see the VW Beetle for on that doesn’t) and stands credibly as a premium sports car.
Personally, I go for the interior as presented here – pretty much stunning to me.
James Bond sort of had one – it a AC Cobra replica with a Z8 lookalike body, but that’s the movies for you.
Retro does have a kind of timelessness to it – think of Nissan’s Pike Factory cars.
I think however that the Z8 now looks even more beautiful, as modern BMWs have become evermore fugly.
The Beetle is a fascinating case; looked great under motorshow lights, but looked positively ridiculous in the cold light of traffic. Perhaps the North Germans are too dourly pragmatic to get away with humourous design?
“The Beetle is a fascinating case; looked great under motorshow lights, but looked positively ridiculous in the cold light of traffic. …”
Not a North German problem. The difference to well done retro designs is that they tried to make the New Beetle look “cute”.There is always just one step from a “cute” looking to a ridiculous looking car. Even the so called MINI by BMW and the FIAT 500 are just “at the edge”.
Retro cars avoiding any “cuteness”,, as the Z8, the FIAT 124 Spider or even serveral Mustangs, are much more credible. Credibility based on authenticity. I think, that’s what it makes.