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| With BMW's permission Ital Design went ahead with this fabulous mid-engine supercar design study in 1991, a follow up on the earlier Nazca C2. Its design is timeless and by all accounts would look wonderful if brought out today. Maybe head designer Chris Bangle has something like the Nazca up his sleeve to replace the Z8 when it departs? |
There's another alternative benefit the Z8 provided the Munich based company. Its low volume, hand-built aluminum spaceframe construction methodology offered this largely mass-market automaker some important lessons necessary for the development of the upcoming Rolls-Royce, code named RR01. It will debut in Detroit next month.
As a last hurrah BMW will offer a special-edition Z8 called the Alpina Roadster V8. Instead of the 6-speed manual, the only transmission choice until now, the new Alpina will come only with a 5-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted shift buttons, mated to a less potent, smaller displacement V8. The new 375-hp 4.8-L V8 has been optimized for more power at fewer rpm, plus increased torque.
Expected to debut in Los Angeles in January it should be available in North America by April. While BMW has earmarked 550 Alpina models globally, it has set aside 450 for U.S. customers alone - there's no word on Canadian numbers. Also, it is the first Alpina model to ever come to North America.
While the new automatic shifting model is debuting the wonderful 6-speed Z8 roadster will have its production stopped toward the end of this month. When word of its demise hits consumers there will no doubt be renewed interest by those who want to take advantage of what will most likely become an appreciating asset, or at least the final chance to buy a new example.
A new, much less expensive 6-Series coupe and convertible are expected to debut shortly but there is no word yet on a replacement for the Z8.
