The Untold Story of the BMW Z8, Straight From ALPINA’s Boss

For those who’re a really ingrained BMW fan, there’s a offered probability you already know the identify Andreas Bovensiepen. He’s the highest canine at ALPINA, a BMW tuning store that only recently grew to become formally a part of the BMW mothership. However earlier than helming ALPINA, Bovensiepen hung out working for BMW as an engineer. In an interview with YouTube channel MotoManTV Podcast, he shared some fascinating tales from one of the crucial fascinating trendy BMWs ever: the BMW Z8.

Z8 Growth: Extra M Than Anticipated

Bovensiepen offers a novel perspective on the Z8 improvement course of. He says that the automobile was a BMW AG venture, moderately than a BMW M venture, which could appear complicated to those that know the automobile is basically an E39 M5 beneath the sheet metallic. It began with the aluminum house body, he says, which was “new for BMW, however fairly costly.” Undoubtedly one thing you would possibly count on out of BMW M. Moreover, the Z8 initially started life with a 4.4-liter V8 making simply 286 horsepower or so. We’ve to think about he’s speaking in regards to the M62B44, which was a far cry from the modified M62 ALPINA ended up utilizing. Or, in fact, the 4.9-liter M-tuned S62 V8 engine the BMW Z8 shipped with. “However then it grew to become clear it wanted extra horsepower,” he continues, so “they put within the engine of the M5, E39, the 400 horsepower engine.”

Bovensiepen goes on to clarify that apparently, accountants weren’t eager on the price of placing in E39 M5 working gear. However he claimed the prices saved in R&D would greater than cowl the distinction. BMW’s considerations prolonged to the potential for changing buyer gearboxes. “An M5 buyer is on a lot larger mileage than a Z8 buyer,” Bovensiepen says. However In essence: if the configuration works in a mass-produced mannequin just like the M5, it’ll definitely final for a low quantity, excessive greenback specialty collection.

How the Z8 Acquired By means of — and What it Price

As we’ve beforehand reported, E52 Z8 history largely begins with an deserted 5 Sequence convertible venture. Bovensiepen recounts a largely comparable story, with the Fisker-penned retro Z8 idea largely being in the appropriate place on the proper time. So far as price to develop? Bovensiepen skirts a agency greenback quantity. “The half price have been fairly excessive,” he says, “however the improvement prices and tooling prices have been fairly low.” He says this was “kind of, the key to get this venture realized.” Bovensiepen ends by saying that the BMW bean counters endlessly fought with one of many Z8’s largest proponents, Wolfgang Reitzle. However even after numerous fights, “lastly, like that, all people was pleased to have this cool venture,” Bovensiepen says. We all know we’re on that checklist.

Supply: MotoManTV Podcast