The combat role of the Z8 in BMW’s final Bond appearance is abbreviated in comparison to the 750i’s epic fight sequence, but the roadster receives considerable screen time throughout the film. During a dockside battle with buzzsaw equipped helicopters, Bond remotely instructs the Z8 to destroy one of the aircraft with a surface-to-air missile. The second helicopter subsequently bisects the Z8 with a saw attack, but Bond is able to outwit the pilot and prevail. Bond’s Z8 is loaded with several Q refinements including the aforementioned SAMs, a key chain that can control the car remotely, and as R proudly points out, six cup holders. Mercifully, as the car was not ready for production stage at the time, a real BMW Z8 never appeared in the film. All Z8s used in in the production of “The World is Not Enough” were fascimilies built on Shelby Cobra kit car frames.
The Z8 made its broadcast television debut during NBC’s coverage of the 1999 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A silver Z8 was driven at slow speed over the parade route in order to promote both the new model and the corresponding James Bond film. Willard Scott and Katie Couric discussed the Z8′s performance, price, exclusivity, and Bond connection while the camera captured close shots of the car.
The BMW Z8 is also featured in a number of racing video games and was used as a pace car for the 2000 FIM Motorcycling Grand Prix.The Z8 is the production variant of the 1997 Z07 concept car, which was designed by Henrik Fisker at BMW’s Designworks in Southern California. The Z07 originally was designed as a styling exercise intended to evoke and celebrate the 1956-’59 BMW 507. The Z07 caused a sensation at the ’97 Tokyo Auto Show. The overwhelming popularity of the concept spurred BMW’s decision to produce a limited production model called the Z8. 5,703 Z8s were built, approximately half of which were exported to the USA.The Z8 was the first production car to feature neon exterior lighting. The tail lights and turn indicators are powered by neon tubes that offer quicker activation than standard lightbulbs and are expected to last for the life of the vehicle. Every Z8 was shipped with a color matching metal hardtop with rear defroster. Unlike many accessory hardtops, which are provided for practical, not stylistic considerations, the Z8 hardtop was designed from the outset to complement the lines of the roadster. With the hardtop in place, the Z8 becomes a handsome coupe. In order to keep the interior uncluttered, a number of convenience functions were integrated into multifunction controls. For example, the power windows and mirrors are controlled by a single instrument. The design goal of an unadulterated performance driving experience is served by a center mounted instrument cluster that cants slightly toward the driver. The displacement of these gauges to the middle of the dash is intended to offer an unimpeded view of the hood and the road ahead.In order to promote the Z8 to collectors and reinforce media speculation about the Z8′s “instant classic” potential, BMW made the promise- unprecedented in the auto industry- that a 50 year stockpile of spare parts would be maintained in order to support the Z8 fleet. Due to the limited volume of Z8 production, all elements of the car were constructed or finished by hand, thereby compounding the importance of ongoing manufacturer support for the type. The price point and unique production process allowed BMW to offer custom options to interested buyers. A number of Z8s with nonstandard paint and interior treatments were produced over the course of the four year production run.For 2003, the final model year, the Z8 model was augmented by the Alpina V8 Roadster. The Alpina was a departure from the hard-edged sporting focus of the original car, and elements of the new grand touring intent were in evidence throughout this final edition. Instead of the original six speed manual and 4.9 liter (S62) engine featured in earlier Z8′s, the Alpina came only as an automatic, using a 5-speed BMW Steptronic transmission allied to an upgraded 4.8L Alpina-tuned V8 motor from the BMW X5 SUV. In order to complete the car’s transition from sportscar to boulevardier, relaxed suspension tuning was used. The standard Z8′s run-flat tires and 18 inch wheels were discarded in favor of conventional tires with softer sidewalls and 20 inch wheels. A new and softer grade of Nappa leather replaced the Z8′s less supple specification, and special Alpina gauges are featured on the dash cluster. An Alpina steering wheel with three solid spokes replaced the original, which could not be retrofitted with shift paddles for the automatic. Gear selection is displayed in an Alpina-specific display mounted in front of the wheel.The $128,000 car had an all aluminum chassis and body and used a 4.9 L (4941 cc) 32 valve V8, which propelled the vehicle with 400 hp (294 kW) and 500 Nm (363 lb-ft.). This engine was built by the BMW Motorsport subsidiary and was shared with the E39 M5. The engine is located behind the front axle in order to provide the car with 50/50 weight distribution. The factory claimed a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.5 mph) time of 4.7 seconds. Motor Trend magazine achieved 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Road and Track measured the car’s lateral grip at an outstanding .92. Car and Driver magazine also tested the car and found that it outperformed the benchmark Ferrari 360 Modena in the main three performance categories: acceleration, handling and braking. Like most BMW products, the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, but magazines have achieved over 160 by “bouncing” the car against its fuel cutoff.
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