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BMW Z3 coupe in two editions applies GT styling to roadster
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CHICAGO, Ill. -- Park a keen eye on the convoluted shape of BMW's compact but exotic Z3 coupe, and one question immediately comes to mind: What's going on here?
This little 2-seater with its exaggerated hoodline, closed body design and crimped tail seems like a logical automotive expression of the union between a cheetah and a bulldog, or a modern expression of that classic Sixties British sports car, the novel MGB-GT.
What actually happened is that designers at BMW fitted a roof atop the Z3 roadster to concoct a unique 2-seat hatchback coupe in grand touring tradition.
Wrapping an open-cockpit roadster with the closed-body format of GT styling has many historical precedents in the automotive world, and at Germany's Bayerische Motoren Werke the concept traces clear back to a tubular-chassis 2-seater, the 328, of 1936. From this handsome roadster, stylists derived the elegant 2-seat Type 327 coupe with its exaggerated hoodline and sensuous sweep of streamlined fenders, plus a sports touring edition, the 327/28 with enhanced performance for Gran Turismo racing.
Like those vintage coupes, BMW's new 2-seat coupe comes in two distinct variations.
The Z3 Coupe 2.8 amounts to a pure GT treatment of the Z3 2.8 roadster, and it uses the same new in-line-6 2.8-liter engine with output pushed to 193 hp.
The M Coupe, with a half-inch wheelbase extension and high-performance components, totes a beefy 3.2-liter M 6-pack pegged to 240 hp and mated to a 5-speed stick.
Select the former edition if entry price and fuel economy rank high on your list of automotive priorities.
Pick the latter if unadulterated power and maximum fun guide the decision-making process -- but let a physician check your ticker before any driving because blood pressure is guaranteed to soar when your foot taps the M's pedal.
The M Coupe compares to a similarly equipped M roadster, as they share engine and suspension components yet vary with the coupe's top design. Differences become obvious behind the A pillar because of the coupe's fixed roof, which ends in a spoiler lip on top of the hatchback at the bob-tail back end.
Also, rear fenders bulge like biceps in flares which mimic the lines of Porsche's 911 Turbo to accommodate the 9-inch-wide cast alloy wheels and fat 17-inch tires rated for high speed.
Interestingly, the roadster's stiff chassis -- reinforced with lateral braces to stem the natural tendency of a rectangular structure to twist when in motion -- was retained for both coupe editions and when melded to the superstructure of a roof creates what amounts to the most rigid car body ever built by BMW.
This taut framework, as combined with tuned suspension elements and the outrageous M powertrain, sets up an incredibly agile sports machine that cuts and turns with the spry attitude of a go-kart.
To such a stable base the suspension additions emerge. For the M edition, these include firmer spring rates and at the rear long and stiff semi-trailing arms with larger rear anti-roll bar, plus a lighter front link from strut to anti-roll bar.
Further, the revised front suspension geometry delivers stronger straight-line stability due to the increased caster trail, which incidentally produces the half-inch increase for wheelbase.
Wheel track widths also differ between M and 2.8 coupes, as the M has a front track that's half an inch wider than the 2.8 to effect an even broader stance for added stability.
Brakes, always an important element to check a machine designed to cheat the wind and rip to high speed, for the 2.8 coupe consist of big vented discs in front and sold rear discs in a vacuum-assist system tied to sophisticated anti-lock controls.
For the M edition, even larger rotors apply and they're vented in back as well as front.
These cars are also ideally balanced, with weight divided over front and rear wheels at precisely half for the M coupe and within a fraction of the same for the 2.8.
Powertrain for the M edition compares to the M3 coupe, but it acquires a new exhaust system with dual mufflers and four ports to achieve a distinctive growl.
The 3.2-liter six, with dual cams on top and four valves in each cylinder, employs finely balanced camshafts and light-weight valve lifters and springs for low inertia. In addition, the rpm limiter varies, reaching to 6800 rpm in the bottom two gears but 6500 for higher ones.
The 2.8 coupe carries BMW's new 6-in-line aluminum-block engine, which displaces 2.8 liters and stocks dual overhead cams and high-tech infinitely variable valve timing. With output to 193 hp, the plant musters high torque at low speed for lively action.
A precise manual 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly and feels entirely playful. For the 2.8, an optional 4-speed automatic adds selective shift modes with economy, sport and manual settings.
How quick are these BMW karts?
The M coupe has been timed in a run up from zero to 60 mph in a mere 5.1 seconds, and it reaches a top speed, limited electronically, of 137 mph. Expect the 2.8 coupe to measure a little more than a second less in 0-to-60 tests, with its speed potential capped at 128 mph.
Both of the Z-karts contain the same cockpit layout, with two sport-bolstered bucket seats separated by a center console with gear shifter and parking brake. You sit low, and the fit feels glove-tight and just right.
Both have leather seat upholstery, but the M uses either a bold 2-tone or subtle monochromatic color scheme, plus a sport steering wheel that's smaller than normal.
Both also add analog instruments with all of the right gauges, and a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system designed to pop your ears out.
Safety systems extend from twin frontal air bags to side bags, the anti-lock brake system, a limited-slip differential and standard traction control.
What's the bottom line?
Prices include destination fees, beginning at $36,770 for the 2.8 coupe and $42,370 for a mighty M.
1999 BMW Z3 COUPE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1999 BMW Z3 COUPE Specs |
| Description: |
2-seat coupe |
| Model Options: |
2-seat coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
M: 96.9 inches
2.8: 96.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
158.5 inches
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| Engine Size: |
M: DOHC 3.2-L I6
2.8: DOHC 2.8-L I6
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| Transmission: |
M: Manual/5
2.8: Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Rear |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side) |
| Gas Mileage: |
2.8: 19/26 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 36,770 to $ 42,870 |
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