BMW Z8 review

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BMW Z8 5.0 V8 Road Test

Test date 04 October 2000 Price as tested £80,000

For Showcase V8 engine, looks, performance; James Bond’s car

Against Not particularly engaging to drive. Unproven image at the price; left-hand drive only

The Z8 story really starts back in the 1950s with the V8-powered 507. With no 8-series there was room at the top of the range for a super roadster that would look superb and have stunning performance. In 1993, board members Messrs Pischetsrieder and Reitzle were hosting a colleague’s farewell bash at which a collection of old cars was present. Both found themselves admiring a 1950s 507 and decided a new interpretation of a muscular V8-powered roadster would be a good idea. Fast forward seven years, pausing in 1999 to witness a James Bond appearance that barely warranted the tag "cameo", and the Z8 makes its grand entrance. It has certainly been a head-turner. But it’s not all about looks.

BMW wanted to make sure this supercar wasn’t left wanting in the performance department. Choosing an engine isn’t difficult when the in-house Motorsport boys have a V8 lying around, so that aspect was pretty well sorted straight away. But instead of bolting on a skin to an existing frame, BMW decided to design an all-new chassis rather than adapt the 5-series. The level of attention this car will get is pretty unprecedented: 10 cars will be mostly hand produced each day, but only 70 of them will come to the UK each year.