Automobile Magazine lends a little credibility to last week's Autobild news that another BMW Z8 is on its way. The former claims that business plans for a Z10, which would be on par with the likes of the (too) low-volume Mercedes SLR McLaren, and a Z6, which BMW figured was too close to the new Z4, were scrapped in favor of a successor to the car that BMW dropped in 2003 (pictured).
But going back to the drawing board isn't such a bad thing. Like Autobild, Automobile says that the new Z8 will likely get BMW's 408 hp 4.4L turbo, 300 hp 3.0L turbo six cylinder, or the 500 hp 5.0L V10... but, the magazine says, it's not going to hit SL600 territory without the V-12. Sounds like fun to us, but the $100,000 to $125,000 price tag might be a little steep.
[Source: Automobile Magazine; Sfondideldesktop.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
felonious monk @ Jun 15th 2006 6:14PM
Whatever the engine or price tag will be, it better not have structural issues like the Z8 (class action suit underway).
RWD fan @ Jun 15th 2006 9:22PM
I loved the looks of the Z8 from the first time I saw it, but from the current relaibility rating of most German cars I would not buy one (no, I don't have the money, we're talking hypothetically). A brand new 'vette would last longer, and perform just as well at the hands of about any driver on US roads. I'td be wayyy cheaper to maintain as well.
They can re-design all they want, but to me the German's quality control and reliability issues are currently on par with mid-80's Chryslers, go figure...
will @ Jun 15th 2006 10:10PM
Having owned a Z-8 in early 2000, I would welcome another stab at a classy winner. Except for the engine problems in the former 8, the car was a great one. I now own a Z-4 (stepped up to M specs and nearly 300 hp) with enough custom features to make it a Z Club class champion. I have owned 9 vettes and none gave me the thrill of the Z line of cars. Disappointed at BMW efforts with sedans, I know the company can again produce a quality Z-8 or even a 10/12 if it truly desires....
Jim @ Jun 16th 2006 12:46AM
they should put a V-12 in it
MikeInNC @ Jun 16th 2006 8:54AM
Oneo of the best proportioned designs of all time. I hope they build another one. Sorry, I'm not buying the reliability argument. I've had 7 BMW's ranging from 1973 to 2005 (MINI) and have had excellent service form all of them and never found maintenance to be too expensive. There is always at least one local Euro shop that does great work and dont' charge an arm and a leg.
A good friend of mine has had 3 Toyotas (2 Camrys and 1 Corolla) and 1 BMW. He's had the BMW (that I sold him with 160k on the clock years ago) through all three of the others. The Bimmer has outlived all three of the Toyotas and has given him less grief over time. He would never have believed it. Now, he's a believer.
Myron @ Jun 16th 2006 8:54AM
Maybe this time they will put the instruments somewhere the driver can see them, rather than in the middle of the dash. That was the deal breaker for me. I bought the Honda Accord instead.
G. Snyder @ Jun 16th 2006 11:58AM
"they should put a V-12 in it"
Nope. The V-12 is pretty heavy. It would make the car much less balanced.
Spencer C @ Jun 16th 2006 12:58PM
That was the last truly and effortlessly beautiful BMW.