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1989 BMW Z1 [w/video]

Matt Davis — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Videos, BMW, Design/Style, Quick Spins

At One With The Wind Gods In Munich's Ultimate Wedgie

We had ventured out to California for a BMW event tied to the huge Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and there it sat, unapologetically sassy. It was there and then that we decided it was time to finally drive one of BMW's ultimate curio cars, the plastic fantastic Z1 built between 1989 and 1991.

Officially, 8,000 examples of the Z1 were made, nearly 6,500 of them sold in Germany. No Z1s could be imported through normal channels to the United States due primarily to the car's side-impact crash capabilities - or, more to the point, incapabilities. The 154.4-inch long Z1 was built on a somewhat dedicated chassis using significant bits from the E30 325i. Under full load (as we tested it here with driver, a passenger, all fluids and a bit of luggage), the 167-horsepower Z1 is a little porker at 3,200 pounds. But, you know what? It didn't much matter, because we drove nearly 200 miles in this well-intentioned albatross, and it provided a totally unique driving experience. Having said that, while we are proud to have finally had the opportunity to pilot the Z1, we are quite okay with the fact that we'll probably never do it again.

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1989 BMW Z1 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW celebrates 75 years of building roadsters

Drew Phillips — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, BMW

BMW Roadsters - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We generally think of BMW as the maker of some of the world's best sports sedans, but its put out some impressive roadsters over the years. Seventy-five years to be exact. The Bavarian auto manufacturer has been producing two-door open-seaters for three quarters of a century now, starting with 315/1 Sports model that was unveiled at the 1934 Berlin Motor Show followed by the more powerful 319/1. Two legendary roadsters came next, starting with the 328 Roadster in 1936 that was bred on the Nurburgring, and the classically-styled 507 in the late 1950's that inspired the next half century of BMW two-door ragtops.

It was nearly 30 years before BMW produced another roadster, and it came in the form of the Z1 that launched in 1988. The quirky roadster featured plastic body panels that bolted onto the steel monocoque body and doors that could retract into the side of the car. In 1995 BMW brought the roadster to the masses with the Z3, followed by the modern day Z4 that's just begun its second generation. Then, of course, there is the elegant Z8. Perhaps our favorite of all BMW's roadsters, it offered everything we would ever want from a sporty two-door convertible: a 400 horsepower V8, six-speed manual transmission, and a design that will never go out of style.

BMW has provided a wonderful gallery of photos highlighting each car, all available in high resolution. More details on each roadster can also be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 75 Years of BMW Roadsters

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BMW celebrates 75 years of building roadsters originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 May 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster grows up at the expense of its groove

Michael Harley — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, BMW, First Drives

2009 BMW Z4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The all-new 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is the eagerly anticipated replacement to both the Z4 Convertible and Z4 Coupe. Adding to this pressure, the two-seater is also tasked with satisfying the enthusiasts who enjoyed the high-performance M variants, both of which are discontinued - at least for the moment. Autoblog just spent a long day behind the wheel of the multi-role Z4, dissecting the Roadster's styling, ergonomics, chassis, powerplant and handling. How does the Z4 masquerade as four different models? Is it a credible replacement for one, or all? Most importantly, will the Z4 appease the enthusiast? Find out after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster grows up at the expense of its groove

First Drive: 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster grows up at the expense of its groove originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPY VIDEO: 2010 BMW Z4 replacement at the 'Ring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Videos, BMW

UPDATE: Video removed at request of spy videographer. Click here to view.

BMW is hard at work on the replacement for the current Z4 roadster, and a developmental test mule has been caught on video running laps around the vaunted Nurburgring. Despite the heavy camouflage, we can tell from the footage - which seems to follow the test mule around the Ring and into a nearby garage with conspicuous "look at me" accuracy - that the new roadster, due in 2010, will retain the current model's long nose and short rear decklid. Styling is expected to follow the theme set down by the Concept CS unveiled in Shanghai last year, but the real clincher is that the new roadster will feature a retractable hard top. That means it will be heavier than the outgoing model, but will keep up on the marketplace with hard-top competition from above (Mercedes SLK) and below (Mazda MX-5). Follow the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Motor Authority via PistonHeads]

SPY VIDEO: 2010 BMW Z4 replacement at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 May 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BusinessWeek identifies fuel sipping luxury cars

Erin Mays — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Wagon, Green, Technology, Hatchback

In the event that high gas prices begin hitting even the wealthy, displacement-loving, power-toting blokes among us, BusinessWeek has compiled a list of the top ten most fuel efficient luxury cars. The list, especially when you include the runners-up, is a diverse showing of both automakers and fuel types, with hybrids and diesels finding a place alongside with their gasoline-powered siblings.

Mid-size: Mercedes E320 CDI, runner up: Lexus GS300
SUV: Lexus RX 400h, runner up: Volvo XC/70
Sub-compact: Acura RSX, runner up: Lexus IS250
Compact: Audi A4, runner up: Volvo S40
Small wagon: Audi A3, runner up: Volvo V50
Mid-sized wagon: Volvo V70, runner up: Saab 9-5 SportCombi
Two-seater: BMW Z4 3.0, runner up: Porsche Boxster
Mini-compact: Audi TT, runner up: BMW 330Ci
Full-size: Jaguar XJ8, runner up: Mercedes-Benz S430
Truck: Lincoln Mark LT, runner up: Cadillac Escalade EXT

The cheapest among them to drive is the Acura RSX, with the A3 and A4 coming in second if you actually want to stow some junk in the trunk.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

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BusinessWeek identifies fuel sipping luxury cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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