BMW Z8 Technical Data

Technical Data and Figures: 1 Series : 3 Series : 5 Series : 6 Series : 7 Series : 8 Series : Z1 : Z3 : Z4 : Z8

The $128,000 BMW Z8 had an all aluminum chassis and body and used a 4.9 L (4941 cc) 32 valve V8, that developed 400 bhp. This engine was built by the BMW Motorsport subsidiary and was shared with the E39 M5. The engine was located behind the front axle in order to provide the car with 50/50 weight distribution. The factory claimed a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.5 mph) time of 4.7 seconds; Motor Trend magazine achieved 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds. Road and Track measured the car's lateral grip at .92. Car and Driver magazine also tested the car and found that it outperformed the contemporary benchmark Ferrari 360 Modena in three important performance categories: acceleration, handling, and braking. As with most BMW products, its top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h); the car's maximum top speed with an unlocked chip was 186 mph (300 km/h).

Every Z8 was shipped with a color-matching metal hardtop with rear defroster. Unlike many accessory hardtops, which are provided for practical rather than stylistic considerations, the Z8 hardtop was designed from the outset to complement the lines of the roadster.

The car was featured in the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough in late 1999. The presence of the car in the film was in fulfilment of a three-movie product placement deal that had started with 1995's GoldenEye (BMW Z3) and continued with 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies (BMW 750iL E38).