A visual history of the BMW Z cars

"Kar Wai Wong" (kingawesome467) 05/01/2020 at 12:06 • Filed to: A visual history of, BMW, BMW Z4, BMW Z, BMW Z1, BMW Z3, BMW Z8, bmw z22, BMW Z18

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Z has always been the designation used for BMW roadsters. However BMW Technik, the experimental and concepts division of BMW, used Z names for alot of their concept cars. There have been quite a few of them, so I thought I’d list them all, to see how the Z name has progressed over time. Some of these concepts took a few years to be revealed after completion, and looking at the numbers used, it seems obvious that there’s still quite a few internal Z concepts never revealed to the public.

1985 BMW Z1 Prototype

1988-1991 BMW Z1

1991 BMW Z1 Coupe Prototype

1991 BMW E1 Concept (Z11)

Or just the E1, pretty sure Z11 is just the codename?

1993 BMW Z13 Concept

1993 BMW E1 Concept (Z15)

As before.

1995-1999 BMW Z3

Just ignore the fact that the M versions shown never got the facelift, I needed a good image of both bodystyles.

1999-2002 BMW Z4

1995 BMW Z18 Concept

But debuted in 2000.

1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2 Concept

AKA just the “Just 4/2"

1997 BMW C1 Concept (Z14)

1997 BMW Z07 Concept

Previewed the 2000 BMW Z8

1999 BMW Z9 Gran Turismo Concept

1999 BMW Z22 Concept

2000 BMW Z9 cabrio Concept

Previewed the 2003 BMW 6-Series convertible.

2000-2003 BMW Z8

2001 BMW Z29 Prototype

But debuted in 2006. I love how un-BMW this looks, like they rebadged a kit car.

2002-2005 BMW Z4

2005-2008 BMW Z4

2009-2012 BMW Z4

2013-2016 BMW Z4

2017 BMW Concept Z4

2018- BMW Z4

Why does it look 90% the same as the concept, but somehow look so much worse in comparison? That and the new 8 Series.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Kar Wai Wong 05/01/2020 at 12:14

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you forgot the Z999...

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Kar Wai Wong 05/01/2020 at 12:26

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Clown Shoe for me please.

50ford500 > Kar Wai Wong 05/01/2020 at 13:50

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I still love the Z8 even if I’ll never be able to afford one. 

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Kar Wai Wong 05/01/2020 at 14:01

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I don’t understand why BMW and even a Camaro was given a Z when Nissan had Zs quite famously for many years before?? Call them something else! 

feather-throttle-not-hair > Kar Wai Wong 05/01/2020 at 17:06

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Hot take: the only good looking Z cars are the Z1 and the Z8. The rest look like penises. Especially all Z4's with their bulgy hoods when viewed in profile.

Less hot take: There are actually a ton of good looking Z cars if you’re willing to include Nissan.