A glimpse into the future of automotive design and technology, the Z9 is a Grand Touring four-seat coupe concept car, featuring gull wing doors, carbon-fiber skin over an aluminum space frame and the world’s first V8 diesel engine. Learn all about this remarkable vehicle here!
First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of 1999, the Z9 Gran Turismo concept car is making its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show.
The Z9 sports coupe showcases innovation in both interior and exterior design, with futuristic lightweight construction, a high-torque turbo diesel engine, and a unique philosophy of interaction between car and driver.
The interior of the Z9 is a showcase of ground-breaking technology and ergonomic design.
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.
An aluminium space frame gives the monocoque chassis excellent torsional rigidity and crash performance, while carbon fibre bodywork combines great strength and light weight. The Z9 is large car, five metres long and two metres wide with a 3.1 metre wheelbase.
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.
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!
In the above photo, the door on the left is opened conventionally, while the door on the right opens up and out, in gull wing style.
How is this possible? 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!
The Z9 is powered by the world’s first V-8 turbo diesel, the 3.9 liter engine first 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.
Last update this post 09/06/2008.
I add few new pictures.
January 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
it;s nice bmw
January 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
what can I say ,.,.,.,.,.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
vc’s prsisan tunar mais os crros
May 11th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
tres belle voiture
May 11th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
tuning
c est une voiture tuning
110000euros
August 20th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
pOW nem tuna o carro certo isso da raiva
December 28th, 2008 at 6:20 am
it’s vary fantastic car, i like it too mucth.