BMW's secret V12-powered Z3

One-off V12 prototype was created to show just how far BMW could have pushed the Z3 roadster

A V12 engine was fitted in the first-gen Z3

by Greg Kable

8 August 2012

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BMW has lifted the veil of secrecy on a wild V12-powered version of the first-generation Z3.

The experimental prototype, created by BMW’s research and development division, was built as an engineering exercise with the aim, in the words of one BMW source, “to see how far we could stretch the concept”.

No firm details on the one-off Z3 have been forthcoming, although it is thought to run BMW’s M73 engine. Used in the earlier 750i and 850Ci, the big V12 boasted a capacity of 5.4 litres and kicked out 321bhp and 361lb ft of torque.

By comparison, the most powerful first-generation Z3 model, the Z3 M Roadster, used the 3.2-litre straight six from the M3 with 321bhp and 261lb ft.

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Comments

artill

BMW are just taking the

44 weeks 6 days ago

BMW are just taking the proverbial, we are lucky to see a BMW with even half the number of cylinders these days

Uncle Mellow

Z3

44 weeks 6 days ago

A straight six was the perfect engine for the Z3, it really didn't need a V12 upsetting the balance.

bomb

Interesting...

44 weeks 6 days ago

...but a bit pointless when the S54 engine in the Z3M gave exactly the same power with half the cylinders.

Honda CR-V ES 2.2 i-DTEC/Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi DStyle Plus

Citytiger

Would have been better with a

44 weeks 6 days ago

Would have been better with a V8, the Americans would have bought millions..

turini

12 v 6

44 weeks 6 days ago

Back in the 1980's BMW ran an advertising campaign with a 3-series and an M1 parked next to each other. The caption read :"6 cylinders where there ought to be 4, 6 cylinders where there ought to be 12". Seems someone lost the plot with this one! Good to the engineers having some fun though.

ChrisH

-

44 weeks 6 days ago

That sounds brilliant, even though they have a diesel engine with more power now.

AutoChomp

Bit of an odd choice. EVen at

44 weeks 6 days ago

Bit of an odd choice. EVen at the time the M3 6 had the same power and suited the car much better than this lazy V12. If they wanted a monster the 5.0V8 400BHP from the M5 would of been my choice. I remember years ago some tuner put that engine in the M3 and it was a beast. Hammann maybe?But I suppose that would be too close to the Z8.

I always prefered the idea of the 845ci to the 850ci.

The Z3M is very underatted I think. Looks horribly dated now, but it would be superb to drive.

www.autochomp.co.uk

Smilerforce

AutoChomp wrote: Bit of an

44 weeks 6 days ago

AutoChomp wrote:

I always prefered the idea of the 845ci to the 850ci.

The Z3M is very underatted I think. Looks horribly dated now, but it would be superb to drive.

They don't half look dated now, even the mark 1 z4 is showing it's age, but the 8 series on the other hand has aged well. I have seen two recently and they are quite striking, but not overstated machines. So BMW.

Peter Cavellini

nothing new.

44 weeks 6 days ago

Seem to remember someone stuck the BMW V12 in a 3 series before.

Peter Cavellini.

iamthestig

Peter Cavellini wrote: Seem

44 weeks 6 days ago

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Seem to remember someone stuck the BMW V12 in a 3 series before.

Hartage put a highly tuned V12 in the E36 compact - did 0-62 in around 4 seconds which was very fast back then.

Here's to the crazy ones......

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BMW's secret V12-powered Z3

Join the debate

BMW are just taking the

Z3

Interesting...

Would have been better with a

12 v 6

-

Bit of an odd choice. EVen at

AutoChomp wrote: Bit of an

nothing new.

Peter Cavellini wrote: Seem

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