German Car Zone

I do not know. Could it be that some designs derives from actual design proposals for some axed projects. But usually these designs are made for Technik prurposes only - like "we need a funky offroader-cabrio design", or in this case "a super sporty coupe design", and they go design proposals from the designers. Could it be that Z29 was designed by Anders Warming who later then designed the Z4 Coupe.

Looks like Z1 was their roll-model when they were designing the car! I don't like it!

More like Ford I would say.

Another interesting fact:

You probably all know the BMW Oracle Racing team - the sailing team.

Have you ever questioned yourselves why the heck would BMW enter the sailing team? (OK, beside obvious marketing reasons: sailing - rich people - potential BMW Group vehicles buyers.)

Bingo! The Carbon Fibre technology!

Sailing boats are made of Carbon Fibre - and there is a lot of CF know-how in the sailing boat construction. BMW are getting a lot of know-how and in the near future they will incorporate CF body construction in the production cars.

The new Z8 is the right candidate for getting the partial CF body frame - if the Management Board get a green light for its production.

Once upon of time BMW were getting know how from the aero industry. How things change.

Did I miss something?

Yes, they were making aero engines once upon a time (and later been in joint-venture with RR Plc), but that was it.

Hint tubular space frame used on the 328, hemi heads and so on.

Oh, yes. Way back in the history ...

Remember awhile back we told you about a secret car BMW was planning to unveil at the British Motor Show. The car was a no show in the U.K., but popped up yesterday on Auto Motor und Sport. The website reveals that the car, called the Z29, is an exercise in lightweight vehicle construction, lesson learned from which will later find their way into production BMWs. The Z29's resemblance to the Z4 is unmistakable, but the featherweight coupe employs extensive use of aluminum in its chassis and hardware components and carbon fiber for its body. Superfluous pounds were reportedly removed from all corners of the car. The Z29's lambo-style doors, for instance, are so light that BMW is able to get away with using only one small hinge per door. The net effect of the BMW diet is a total weight of only 2,557 lbs. With an M3's motor mounted between the front wheels, the Z29 can sprint to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 168 mph.

(More Z29 pics after the jump)

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Continue reading BMW Z29: Bavaria's mystery coupe revealed

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