Test drive the most beautiful BMW in history
What is the most beautiful BMW ever? It is not easy to answer, because in the 92 years that have passed since the production of cars, the Bavarians have had many masterpieces. If you ask us, we will point to the elegant 507 of the 50s, Elvis Presley's favorite car. But there are also many connoisseurs who point to the most beautiful BMW in history, something much more modern - the Z8 roadster, created at the dawn of the new millennium.
There is no reason for aesthetic disputes, because the Z8 (code E52) was created as a tribute to the legendary BMW 507. The project was developed under the direction of the then chief designer of the company Chris Bengel, and the interior turned out to be the best work by Scott Lampert, and the spectacular exterior was created by Dane Henrik Fisker , creator of the Aston Martin DB9 and Fisker Karma.
The finished car hit the market in 2000, just in time for technology stocks to lose more than three-quarters of their value. The unfavorable economic situation practically doomed the Z8 because it was not cheap: due to the expensive materials used and the all-aluminum chassis, the price in the US was $128000, like five Ford Mustans. Coincidentally or not, a magnificent copy is now being sold in America for exactly the same amount.
In fact, the Z8 offered a lot for your money, not to mention fantastic design. Under its hood was a 4,9-liter V8 engine with the S62 code, which BMW also installed in the legendary E39 M5. Here it developed 400 horsepower and was installed to ensure ideal weight distribution on both axles. BMW promised acceleration to 100 km / h in 4,7 seconds, but in tests it showed 4,3.
Another of the most prestigious publications, Car & Driver, compared the Z8 to the then benchmark sports car Ferrari 360 Modena and the Bavarian car won in the three most important categories - acceleration, steering and braking. In addition, the roadster had a number of technological tricks - such as neon lights, which BMW guaranteed would last the entire life cycle of the car without replacement.
It is no coincidence that the producers of James Bond chose her as the car of the superspy in the movie "There Will Always Be Tomorrow" (as well as Jackie Chan in the parody of "Tuxedo").
The Z8 is also one of BMW's rare models, with just 2003 produced before the end of the project in 5703.
The sample offered in Bring a Trailer is finished in titanium silver with a red interior (even the plush red trunk lining). The car isn't exactly flawless - the owner admits he ran into a deer years ago, but it has been professionally restored and has been in the hands of one person all these years. Mileage shows 7700 miles or just over 12300 kilometers. The car has an original set of tools and both roofs - soft and hard. And its biggest selling point is that while it's made for the US market, this roadster has a manual transmission. Tires - Bridgestone Potenza RE040 on 18-inch wheels.
