BMW to build new supercar?
Z10 to replace failed retro-look Z8
New Z10 won't look like this!
A report in this week's Autocar based on conversations with BMW engineers suggests that the car is likely to come out of the Bavarian company's Californian studios and be called the Z10.
Saving weight is the central theme, with an aluminium spaceframe chassis, first used in the Z8, the centrepiece. It'll be about the same size as a Lamborghini Gallardo but weigh 250Kg less at around 1,200Kg. Motive power will come from the now-established 500bhp V10 found in the nose of the M5 and M6 -- a chunky but potent motor. The report suggests that BMW may bore it out to 5.5-litres to boost power to 550bhp, driving through a seven-speed sequential gearbox. That kerb weight gives it a power-weight ratio of 458bhp/tonne, beating both the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430.
It will include all the electronics you would expect to keep it on the road while pressing on, together with active spoilers and a venturi underbody to suck onto the tarmac. Open-topped, it will feature a carbon fibre folding roof to allow it to compete with the likes of the Mercedes SL while keeping weight and the centre of gravity down.
Since the Z8 sold poorly -- fewer than 6,000 were sold during the three years it was on sale -- the studio is being asked to come with a more aggressive style than the retro look it plastered on the hapless Z8. It will be built using spare capacity at the Rolls Royce factory at Goodwood.
Expect it to be sold close to top-end 911 money -- similar to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage -- at around £80,000-90,000.
munky said:
anonymous said:[redacted]
Because you'd buy the Aston. You just would. Or possibly a Typhon, if you're slightly mad.
BMW haters care. When you can spend double that on a Merc, it's a silly comment.
I'm interested in the AMV8, but it just isn't enough. Power/Weight is lower than my CSL. It's a more "special" car, but with a 500BHP M6 at the same price and the M5 £20k less plus the products of Porsche AG, I just can't go for it.
As for buying a TVR for that money. Er no.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 9th August 11:06
fidgits said:
the problem with the Z8 was simple..
Yes it was glorious to look at - but it was like driving any other american saloon - hopelessly detached and wallowy...
so much for the 'ultimate driving machine'
plus LHD only (we buy more convertibles in UK than Italy, Spain and France added together)
(no offence intended just thought it was funny) Zod said:
Because you'd buy the Aston. You just would. Or possibly a Typhon, if you're slightly mad.
BMW haters care. When you can spend double that on a Merc, it's a silly comment.
I'm interested in the AMV8, but it just isn't enough. Power/Weight is lower than my CSL.
It looks an awful lot nicer though, and is made in Brtiain.
Zod said:
It's a more "special" car, but with a 500BHP M6 at the same price and the M5 £20k less plus the products of Porsche AG, I just can't go for it.
Well, there we're getting off topic because the M5 and 6 aren't sports cars, they're fast saloons and thus incomparable. It's not about power alone or even power to weight, which doesn't help you in corners. I need a 2 seater convertible (the less electronics the better) not a big computer controlled saloon, and therefore wouldn't even consider M3/5/6. WIth circa 80k, I'd be looking primarily at the Aston, a second hand 'rarri, the carbon fibre 215mph TVR, the Z10 or a Porker. In that order, pretty much.
Zod said:
As for buying a TVR for that money. Er no.
Whereas I would. Wouldn't the world be dull if everyone had the same tastes?
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