The BMW Z9 (or Z9 Gran Turismo, Z9 GT) is a four-seat coupe concept car, carbon-fiber skin over an aluminum space frame.[1] It was introduced on September in 1999 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. During the 2000 Paris Auto Show a convertible variant of the Z9 was debuted. It was designed by Chris Bangle, who was promoted to Director of BMW Group Design. Much of the styling found on the current E63 6 series is derived from the Z9.
Contents |
BMW, which stands for Bavarian Motor Works in English, is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the MINI brand, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce motorcars. The logo the BMW is carrying is a circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel is exposed by BMW as the movement of an aircraft propeller, to signify the white blades cutting through the blue sky. BMWs are known for their performance. Due to the terms of the Versailles Armistice Treaty.,[2] BMW was obligated to cease aircraft production after World War I. The first important aircraft engine due to its high performance was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918. The company consequently shifted to motorcycle production in 1923 once the restrictions of the treaty started to be lifted,[3] followed by automobiles in 1928–29.[4][5][6] BMW's first significant aircraft engine was the BMW IIIa inline-six liquid-cooled engine of 1918, much preferred for its high-altitude performance.[7] With German rearmament in the 1930s, the company again began producing aircraft engines for the Luftwaffe.
By 1959, BMW’s automotive division was in financial trouble and a shareholder meeting took place to decide whether to go into liquidation or find a way of carrying on. It was decided to carry on and to try to cash in on the current economy car boom enjoyed so successfully by some of Germany's ex-aircraft manufacturers such as Messerschmitt and Heinkel. The rights to manufacture the Italian Iso Isetta were bought, the tiny cars themselves were to be powered by a modified form of BMW's own motorcycle engine. This was moderately successful and helped the company get back on its feet. The controlling majority shareholder of the BMW Aktiengesellschaft since 1959 is the Quandt family, which owns about 46% of the stock. In 1992, BMW acquired a large stake in the state of California based industrial design studio Designworks USA which was acquired in 1995.[8]
Controls are operated with a single large, multifunction knob located between the front seats. The control consists of a combination rotary and push button for selecting functions. Confirmation of the selected mode is displayed on a dash mounted screen. Several hundred functions can be controlled with this device. The concept of operating the Z9, which BMW calls Intuitive Interaction Concept, allows the driver to easily activate functions while driving without the need to constantly examine and manipulate conventional controls. The Z9 has only a starter button and light switch on the dashboard. An electronic key is used to activate the driver's controls. Then, a simple starter button starts the engine. The instrument panel folds out when prompted. Classic, circular dials provide feedback to the driver. A large, 8.8-inch monitor in the center of the dashboard displays all the information the driver needs, apart from the speedometer and tachometer, which are conventional analog instruments. The monitor is positioned within the driver's field of vision, allowing it to be viewed while focusing attention on the road ahead. Drive or reverse gears can be engaged with a dash mounted lever. The Steptronic transmission can also be operated with steering wheel mounted buttons. These buttons can be used for manually shifting gears. The interior included an early concept of BMW's iDrive system, called the Intuitive Interaction Concept [9] The Z9 featured the world's first V8 turbo diesel for non-truck use, later produced for the BMW 7 Series 740d model.
The Z9 Gran Turismo Concept car features the long hood and short rear deck that have become hallmarks of BMW sport coupe design. The “face” of the Z9 incorporated trademark BMW design elements, such as the dual round headlights flanking the central kidney grille. Large wheels, 20-inch front and 21 inch rear, provided a hint of the performance capability of the Z9. Front and rear turn signals featured neon light technology, while rear lights incorporated light-emitting diodes (LED). One of the most striking features of the Z9 is the gull wing door. But, these doors can also be opened like a conventional hinged door! The conventional doors are actually fitted into the gull wings, allowing the doors to function in both ways. The full-length gull wing doors can be opened automatically at the press of a button on the electronic key. Depressing the button on the remote control will both open and close a door. In fact, holding the button down will cause the door to repeat the procedure indefinitely; in effect, like flapping it's wing! [10] The Z9 did not make it into production, but many of its innovations did.
The Z9 featured the world's first V8 turbo diesel for non-truck use, later produced for the BMW 7 Series 740d model. The 3.9 liter V-8 is a common rail, direct injection unit. It produces more torque than any other engine in BMW's history, an incredible 413 lbs/ft (560 Nm) of torque. Torque is maintained constantly between 1750 and 2500 rpm to give outstanding performance even at the low end of the rev range. Maximum power is an impressive 245 hp. Choosing a diesel engine to power a large sports coupe like the Z9 is a testament to BMW's confidence in the refinement and performance characteristics of the 3.9 liter V-8.