BMW Z1: driving test and video

Posted on 06-04-2015 16:00 by CasperH – 55 Comments”

The BMW Z1 was a kind of rolling experiment of BMW, full of new techniques. And that goes much further than other doors.

Take a look at this design by Dutchman Harm lagaay family and gamble for fun once in what year this car for the first time the world was shown. In August 1986, had you expected? The “Z” in the type name was not for nothing “Zukunft” (future) shall we say.

The design was a challenge. So was the silencer of the exhaust shaped like a wing for extra downforce created. Also, there was a plastic bottom plate that is for more downward pressure made.

The chassis was specific to the Z1, designed, and there were parts of the 3 Series borrowed. The BMW Z1 was equipped with the 2.5 six-cylinder engine that was borrowed from the 325i of the E30 3 Series. The roadster has a manual gearbox with five gears that the 170 horsepower transfer to the rear wheels. There is also thought about a four wheel drive version, but this is never taken into production. Also the BMW Z1 Coupe got the production line.

170 hp may not be astronomical, but the BMW Z1 was not more than 1250 kilograms, thanks to the extensive application of all types of plastic. Thus, it was a sprint to the 100 in 7,9 seconds, no problem. The whole body consisted of plastic panels, BMW’s original idea was that you that in a minute or forty could change, so that they are Z1 owners with a second set in another color could sell. In practice, however, showed that the swap of the panels is a job of two (!) days was.

The low weight of the wedge shape and the aerodynamic tricks have ensured that BMW and first could claim that they have a car built that on normal street tires 1G was able to pull in corners. You will notice that the grip is thick in order. This car has a mileage that isn’t even the distance for running-in exceeds so at full throttle I don’t go with the Z1, but submitting is going to be very precise, the carriage will tilt almost not over and there is a lot of grip. The six cylinder from BMW is wonderfully soft and hangs quite eagerly, to the accelerator pedal, the soundtrack is also nothing wrong. This car is much more than just a testing ground for new techniques, this is a really nice sports car.

But unfortunately, a living lab was it and is it actually never came. Before BMW the car is in production could take, there were already 5000 orders written, while previously it was said that there was only 4000 pieces would be built. There were eventually (in addition to the 12 prototypes) only 8000 production models built. Strangely enough, declared BMW ever 35,000 orders for the Z1 written, it’s never quite become clear that the demand collapsed. The BMW Z1 was delivered from 1988, but it was in 1991 already out of production.

One of the however built cars we have with us, borrowed from Gina Classics. This copy is performed in Urgrün and was built in 1989. The paint is 100% original. It is a very early one, chassis number 21, to be exact. For €57,500 euro, you can pick him up in Drachten, with 900 miles on the clock. Yep, this car is as good as new, and of course all documentation is present to substantiate the claim. No car to many miles to go of course, but once you get a Z1 driving it, it will be difficult for him in the barn.

Gallery: BMW Z1

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