Supreme Performance and Exceptional Technical Features Make the New BMW Z8 a Unique Car in Its Own Market

Munich, Germany, July 9, 1999. An almost endlessly long hood, large wheels, air
scoops on the side - looking at the beautiful body of the Z8, BMW's new open
sports car, will immediately evoke the glory days of classic roadsters. You
will harken back to the legendary BMW 507 of the '50s, one of the most
beautiful cars ever built. Designed by one of the star stylists of his day,
Albrecht Graf Goertz, this genuine classic saw an exclusive production run of
only 252 units.

Like the 507 that inspired it, the Z8 will be produced in tantalizingly small
numbers. Indeed, an automotive dream of this caliber is what happens when a
team of passionate and enthusiastic designers and engineers join up to create
an exceptional automobile. Here they were given free rein to build a truly
emotional two seater, a car created for driving pleasure and evoking immediate
passion.

The result is a sports car of alluring charm: muscular yet smooth, stylish and
unique, and with all the stuff that myths are made of.

In its basic design the BMW Z8 is characterized by classic roadster features
borne out by the long front fenders, short overhangs and the snug but
comfortable cockpit. The softly flowing lines of the wheel arches extend
through the wide doors to the short and powerful-looking rear end. And the air
scoops between the front wheel arches and the doors are a long standing BMW
tradition.

The Z8 is a typical BMW from the front of course: Its wide kidney grille and
compact round xenon headlights beneath glass covers underline the traditional,
typical features of the marque. The view road users will most often see and
remember is the equally impressive rear end with body lines extending slightly
downwards, the diffuser and two tailpipes made of polished steel. A hardtop for
the less sunny days of the year, incidentally, comes standard.

Inside, the BMW Z8 offers the perfect synthesis of sporting performance and
luxurious style, boasting features not to be taken for granted even in this
supreme segment.

The Most Critical Element: Aluminum

Developing the "backbone" of the new Z8, BMW's engineers have opted for a new
technology, an aluminum spaceframe with structural panels. The outer skin of
this elegant sports car, therefore, is made largely of aluminum. The bumpers
and the inner flanks at the rear are made of polyurethane serving to softly
cushion minor bumps and impacts against the body. These elaborate materials
ensure maximum chassis stiffness, optimum behavior in a crash and superior
smoothness, reducing vibrations to a minimum.

It almost goes without saying that high technology at its very best continues
beneath the skin of the BMW Z8. So it is no surprise that this top-of-the-line
sports car, built in limited numbers in Munich comes with the thrilling
performance of the V8 engine from BMW's new M5.

Displacing five liters, this power unit created right from the start for two
different vehicle concepts develops maximum horsepower of 400 bhp at 6600 rpm
and maximum torque of 369 lb-ft, ensuring more than ample power at all engine
speeds.

Variable camshaft timing for intake and exhaust (double-VANOS) already seen in
other BMW's models as well as electronically controlled individual throttle
butterflies help to boost torque at lower and mid-range rpm while providing
optimum combustion. Another by-product of this technological tour de force is
reduced exhaust emissions. In the interest of supreme traction in all
situations, the engine itself is positioned behind the front axle.

Power of this caliber put to the road effectively and safely via a six-speed
manual gearbox leading to the rear wheels, plus Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
for optimum traction, gives the BMW Z8 truly outstanding performance.
Acceleration to 60 mph, for example, takes less than five seconds. Thanks to
the outstanding flexibility of the engine, the process of overtaking other
vehicles is equally fast and efficient, regardless of the gear used. The Z8
literally storms up to its electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

"Negative" acceleration, as engineers call the process of braking, is equally
impressive. A Z8 traveling at 60 mph requires less than 2.5 seconds to come to
a standstill.

Moving on to the chassis and suspension, you will find that aluminum is the
major material here, too, the front axle being an all-new spring strut
configuration with precise rack-and-pinion steering, the rear axle an integral
design ensuring optimum handling of transverse and longitudinal forces.
Light-alloy wheels in a new, unique design exclusive to the Z8 are a further
sign of distinction for this very special car. And finally, superior road
contact is ensured by high-performance tires with fail-safe running
characteristics measuring 245/45 R 18 W at the front and 275/40 R 18 W at the
rear.

Introducing an all-new concept, the new BMW Z8 is proudly entering the league
of world-famous sports cars. Built in small numbers in a truly exclusive series
and presented to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in
September 1999, the Z8 is a purebred driving machine for the genuine
connoisseur, a car that turns dreams into reality.