The ‘80s Era was a massive stretch in the automotive scene. As the industry demanded more power, aerodynamic constructions, and performance, BMW’s products became remarkably sporty. In the mid-80s, the German brand also set up BMW Technik GmbH, its child division, specifically for creating concept cars. Like offerings from its competitors, its cars lost weight, engines grew in output, and their drive was nothing short of amazing. A few years later, the brand released the BMW Z1: A dedicated roadster destined for success.
The BMW Z1 came into the scene in 1989 and became an instant hit. Every automaker wanted to make their version, and every customer wanted one. But prior, the brand never had the intention of taking it through the assembly as a production vehicle. The decision to not produce the Z1 in large numbers made sense, since its last V8-powered two-seater 507 roadster was a market failure. But after the public saw the Z1 for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, its demand grew, with 3,500 ordered units before production began. Fun fact: the ‘Z’ letter in ‘Z1’ actually stands for Zukunft, which is a German word for 'future'.
BMW produced the legendary roadster in limited numbers. The brand never intended to produce many units of the Z1. The lucky ones to own one enjoyed a ground-breaking design that separated it from the rest. It also packed a sturdy inline-6 engine under the hood, which gave a 168 hp output.
The BMW is among the most short-lived classic sports cars, with a 2-year-long production era. From its market release in 1989 to its dismissal in 1991, this is the story of the Legendary Roadster: The BMW Z1.
The Z1 Gave A New Perspective To The BMW Heritage
While the BMW Z1 was a short-lived sports car, it made a massive impact in the automotive world. It brought a whole new perspective and demonstration of what an efficient sports car should offer. One of the best features that attracted so much attention was the design, which incorporated a sleek, well-crafted body and sporty trimmings. With aerodynamics as the focal point of the Z1, it came with a flat plastic undertray. This worked with the streamlined muffler and innovative rear bumper to maximize airflow benefits around and under the vehicle.
The car’s build also consists of high-grade GE's Xenoy thermoplastic, a special lightweight, but durable material.
At the fascia, the BMW Z1 featured cool headlights that blended into the frontal design, with the smooth hood. Its grille was much minimal, housed in the bumper region, along with the vents and the indicator and fog lights. The bumper was a little more pulled back to fit in with the shape and to offer more aerodynamics. The result was a rather beautiful front end. Its exterior also included a roll-hoop, which came factory-integrated into the windshield surround. The car offered 6 exterior color options, with red as the most common shade.
Perhaps, the coolest features on the BMW Z1’s exterior are the doors. Unlike the conventional doors offered by its rivals, the Z1’s doors retracted into the design, a feature pioneered by the mid-50s Kaiser Darrin. An occupant could simply retract the door downwards. Both the doors and the integrated window panels came propelled by electric motors.
The BMW Z1’s Engine Offered A 160+ Horsepower Peak Output
The BMW Z1 inherited its engine from the brand’s E30 325i model, and this was a 2.5-liter SOHC inline-6 engine. This massive engine made 168 hp at 5,800 RPM and 164 lb.-ft of torque at 4,300 RPM. This power went to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission.
Thanks to the engine, the BMW achieved a 60-mph acceleration from a standstill in just 7.9 seconds, even with its 2,760-pound weight factor. It also had a combined fuel consumption rating of 28 MPG, which made it extremely economical. For better road performance, the Z1 also got its front suspension system from the E30 325i, along with the 15-inch-diameter wheels. But the rear suspension featured a multi-link design. The Z1 was the first BMW to receive the multi-link designed rear suspension, called the Z axle. Later, the brand used this feature on the 3 Series and other then-impending models.
The BMW Z1 Had A Well-Appointed Interior
Much like the outside, the interior has its own character and style that complemented the German luxury car brand. As a two-seater roadster, the BMW Z1 didn’t offer much in terms of cabin space. But thanks to the 2446 mm wheelbase, it never felt too cramped up. The cabin had a stunning dashboard that housed a plethora of equipment, such as the standard radio and the air conditioning system. Buyers had 4 color options for the cabin, including the red and the popular dark grey shades. Only 38 models had a red-interior color scheme, making them extremely rare.
