BMW Z1: История и особенности уникального родстера.

The BMW Z1 is the first model in BMW's line of Z series roadsters (two seater convertibles), and was produced in limited numbers from 1989 to 1991. The Z1 is unique for its plastic body panels and vertically sliding doors which drop into the door sills. It is one of the first BMWs to use a multi link rear suspension. The sole drivetrain specification is the 2.5 litre straight six engine and 5 speed manual transmission from the E30 325i. In 1995, the Z1's successor, the mass produced Z3, began production.

At the start of 1985, BMW set up a division called BMW Technik GmbH to develop concepts for new vehicles and technologies. The director of BMW Technik GmbH was Ulrich Bez, who oversaw the Z1's development. Control of the project was turned over to Klaus Faust when Bez left BMW in October 1988. The lead designer was Harm Lagaay. In August 1985, the BMW board gave approval to further develop the BMW Technik's first concept vehicle, the Z1. A year later, the first road going prototype was produced and BMW publicly revealed the project. A coupe model was also the subject of a design study, but it did not reach production. In August 1987, BMW announced that the Z1 would enter production and the following month the production form of the Z1 was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production began in October 1988. The windows may be operated independently of the doors, although they do retract automatically if the door is lowered. Both the window and door are driven by electric motors through toothed rubber belts and may be moved manually in an emergency. The side panels and doors are made of GE's Xenoy thermoplastic. The bonnet, boot, and roof cover are GRP components made by Seger + Hoffman AG. The car is painted in a special flexible lacquer finish developed jointly by AKZO Coatings and BMW Technik GmbH. During the Z1s launch, BMW suggested that owners purchase an additional set of body panels and change the color of the car from time to time. The car could actually be driven with all of the panels completely removed, similar to the Pontiac Fiero. BMW noted that the body could be completely replaced in 40 minutes, although Z1 owners have reported that this may be highly optimistic. Aerodynamics were a focus of the vehicle design. The flat plastic undertray is used for ground effect aerodynamics and the rear bumper in conjunction with the aerodynamically shaped muffler forms a diffuser to reduce rear lift. The Z1 has a drag coefficient of 0.36 Cd with the top up or 0.43 Cd with it down.

The rear suspension, called the Z Axle, was specially designed for the Z1. It was one of the first BMWs to feature a multi link design. Wheels, similar to the E30 325i, are by wheels on both the front and rear, equipped with 205/55VR 15 tires.

The sole drivetrain configuration is a 2.5 Litre M20 straight six engine and five speed Getrag 260/5 manual transmission, sourced from the E30 325i. The engine is a SOHC straight six engine, which produces at 5,800 rpm and of torque. The engine sits tilted 20 degrees to the right, to accommodate the low hoodline. all at BMW's plant in Munich, Exactly 8,000 cars were produced. The country to receive the second greatest number of Z1s, Italy, received less than 7% of the total sold domestically. BMW Z1 vehicles officially imported to France for sale there have yellow headlights instead of the clear ones found elsewhere. Initial demand was strong, with BMW receiving orders for 3,500 vehicles before production began. In 1988, however, BMW was quoted as saying that they had 35,000 orders for the Z1. BMW was reportedly unable to build more than 10 to 20 Z1 vehicles each day. More than half of all Z1 vehicles (specifically, 4,091) were produced for the 1990 model year. Seventy eight Z1 vehicles were reportedly used as test mules, although most were later sold without a warranty and, presumably, at a lower price. The Z1 was available in six exterior colours and four interior colours. Red is the most common exterior color. Light yellow exterior (fun gelb in German or fun yellow in English; 133 examples made) or red interior (38 examples made) are the rarest Z1 colours. The colours swimming pool blue and oh so orange were reserved for the car's designers, Ulrich Bez and Harm Lagaay.