BMW Z1

BMW Z1 was a two-seater roadster introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1987 landing BMW over 5,000 initial orders, before the production even commenced. It was best known for its retractable doors which slide into the car's body instead of being classically opened. BMW Z1 used plastic body panels which could easily be detached and reattached by the car's owner. BMW claimed that it was possible to change the car's color that way in about 40 minutes.

BMW Z1 was powered by a 2.5 liter inline-6 engine producing 170 hp (127 kW) and 222 Nm (164 ft·lb) of torque fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The Z1 could reach a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph) and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds.

Due to a sudden lack of demand, BMW Z1 was discontinued in 1991 with only about 8,000 units ever produced, most of which were delivered to clients in Germany.

BMW Z1 Specifications

• Engine: 6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted
• Displacement: 2494 cc
• Max. Power: 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) @ 5800 rpm
• Max. Torque: 218 Nm (161 ft·lb) @ 4300 rpm
• Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
• Gearbox: 5-speed manual, rear wheel drive, axle ratio 3.64:1
• Front suspension: McPherson axle, coil springs, stabilizing bar
• Rear suspension: Lower trailing arms with diagonal rods, upper wishbones, coil springs, stabilizing bar
• Brakes: Disc brakes , power assisted, ABS
• Steering: Rack and pinion steering, power assisted
• Body structure: Plastic body panels on unibody steel chassis with glued-in lower tub
• Dry weight: 1290 kg (2844 lb)
• Loaded weight: 1460 kg (3219 lb)
• Track front/rear: 1456 mm (57.3") / 1470 mm (57.9")
• Wheelbase: 2450 mm (96.5")
• Length: 3925 mm (154.5")
• Width: 1690 mm (66.5")
• Height: 1248 mm (49.1") (with roof up: 1277 mm (50.3"))
• Tire sizes: 225/45ZR16
• Fuel tank capacity: 57 liter (15.1 US gal/12.5 imp gal)
• Top speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
• 0-100 km/h: 9.0 seconds