The BMW Z8 has all the “ingredients” of a classic roadster

A classic sports car with enchanting charm:
both elegant and muscular.

The origins of the BMW Z8

A timeless
and recognizable style

“If I were to design the 507 today, it would look like the Z8.” This statement comes from a man who is supposed to know what he is talking about, and at the same time, it is a compliment to the team of BMW stylists gathered around Chris Bangle. The man so enthusiastic is none other than Count Albrecht Graf von Goertz, the designer of the exhilarating lines of the BMW 507.

A celebrated discovery
that will make history

In 1955 in New York, when Count Goertz first unveiled his creation – a convertible sports car named the BMW 507 – he did more than just introduce a new car. Indeed, he set a new benchmark in style. It’s no wonder then that the rich and aesthetes all rushed to the Munich automobile – at a time when BMW was mainly known for its motorcycles and small cars.

Born from a “muscular” model
for its time

Exactly 252 BMW 507s left the factory – all of them dream cars. The concept of integrating a 3.2-liter V8 engine producing a hefty 150 hp in a lightweight aluminum body was as exciting as it was promising. Indeed, in the mid-1950s, there were only a few cars capable of speeds of up to 200 km/h – and thus keeping the pace of the BMW 507. The number of sports cars exerting a comparable fascination for aficionados of driving with the wind in their hair was very limited at the time. Not to mention the beautiful music emanating from its engine.

The idea of a classic revived

This idea was revived by BMW with the release of the Z8, a modern interpretation of the 507 theme. Breathtakingly beautiful and classic in its proportions, it represented the pinnacle of automotive technology of its era, incorporating everything that was possible to achieve in car manufacturing at the time of its launch. This two-seater convertible, a dream car beyond any fashion and ephemeral tastes, embodied a grand ambition. It represented the exceptional car for connoisseurs, born from the passionate enthusiasm of stylists and engineers who invested their heart and soul.

The nearly endless bonnet of the Z8, its generously sized wheels, and the side vents cited its famous predecessor. The tribute model, in the guise of the Z8, also displayed an “ideal line”: 4.40 meters long, 1.83 meters wide, and only 1.31 meters in height.

The new BMW sports car had already unleashed the enthusiasm of visitors at the Tokyo and Detroit auto shows in 1997 and 1998; its appearance showcased the work of specialists who had been given carte blanche to design a purebred car, eliciting strong emotions.

25 YEARS OF BMW Z8

For those who value exclusivity and elegance
in every detail of their collection

The Z8 possesses all the “ingredients” of a classic roadster

Elegance and Power Combined:
The Renaissance of the Classic Roadster

Result: a classic sports car with enchanting charm: both elegant and muscular, yet aristocratic and absolutely unique. Its baseline is inspired by classic roadster elements expressed through a long front end, reduced overhangs, and a snug, yet luxurious cockpit. The smooth, curvaceous lines of the wheel arches extend across the wide door sills to the dynamic rear: the vents arranged between the front wheel arch and the door are in the best tradition of the BMW roadster.

Innovation and Tradition: The New Face of the BMW Z8 with Neon Technology

The “face” of the Z8 is unmistakably that of a BMW: the wide nostrils and the small round xenon headlights housed behind glass – ensuring a bright light beam and producing an effective optical signal – underlinetraditional features of the brand. But the Z8 also presented innovations, such as the neon light technology adopted for the turn signals, rear lights, and brake lights. By launching this new type of signaling – which offers the triple advantage of a quick response, greater freedom left to stylists, and a significantly longer lifespan –BMW once again proves that it is at the forefront of technological progress.

Functional Elegance:
between Sportiness and Comfort

The rear with the slightly plunging body line, the diffuser, and two exhaust outlets in chrome polished steel, is no less impressive. The rear hood can be opened either by the integrated remote control in the car keys or by a button recessed in the front pillar. The trunk is sufficient to accommodate luggage for a small trip for two: a medium-sized hard-shell suitcase or two golf bags fit without a problem. If, for example in winter, the driver prefers a “hardtop” to the semi-automatic folding soft top with a very convenient assisted closing mechanism, he can also install the standard hardtop with its heated rear window, which changes the appearance of the car, giving it the spirit of a coupe.

Global Productions

ModelEU SpecificationUS SpecificationTotal
BMW Z8305520935148
Alpina Roadster V8105450555
Total316025435703

From 2000 to 2003, a total of 5,703 BMW Z8s were produced, which included 555 units of the Alpina Roadster V8 variant.

A Gift for All Enthusiasts

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the BMW Z8 will appear at the 2024 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance in its non-commercialized coupé version, from the BMW Classic private collection.