This new 'flame surfaced' BMW Z3 is getting ready to blaze a trail through the roadster market. Bigger, heavier, faster and more expensive than the car it replaces, the top-selling sportster is moving upmarket. That will take it away from rivals such as Mazda's MX-5 and the Rover MGF to concentrate on more prestigious hardware – the Audi TT, Mercedes SLK and Honda S2000 – when it hits the road next year.
It is the first production car in the BMW range which has been styled by design chief Chris Bangle, who penned such radical concepts as the Z9 and controversial X-Coupé, unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January. Bangle has purposely shunned the retro image of the old Z3 and instead embraced an all-new design philosophy called 'flame surfacing', with sharp-edged body panels shaped to resemble a flickering fire. It's hoped the dynamic look will be able to match the iconic Audi TT's in terms of desirability.


But it's not only the Z3's styling that will be hot. Underneath, there's an all-new chassis and range of engines that promise to give competitors a real fright. BMW has worked hard to make sure the platform is good enough to take on and beat those of its more modern rivals, and has developed a super-stiff steel bodyshell. This will provide the perfect foundation for the suspension system, which has been lifted from the latest version of the 3-Series. As well as promising to make the Z3 a real driver's car at last, the chassis will be able to cope with powerplants ranging from the British-made four-cylinder Valvetronic 2.0-litre to six-cylinder units such as the 231bhp 3.0-litre and awesome 3.2-litre M engine with a Porsche-crushing 342bhp.

You can expect the cabin to reflect the Z3's move upmarket, but the real revelation will be increased practicality. The interior will feel less claustrophobic than the current car's and luggage space will be increased, too. The boot incorporates a collapsible hood bag, similar to the 3-Series convertible's, to allow extra space when the roof is up. The changes come at a cost, as prices are set to start from £22,000


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Gabriel
CL Type S

[This message has been edited by gavriil (edited 03-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by gavriil (edited 03-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by gavriil (edited 03-22-2001).]

 

Maybe I'll hold off on my yearning for an S2000 for just now...

The front of that thing is freaky lookin in the pics... hmm.

Prolly looks pimp in person though.

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit

 

I say DAMMMMMMN!

I love that 3/4 rear look. Very Sexy! I too may have to forgo looking at the S2000. Would love to see what that 342HP engine can do . Any set price yet for the US?

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Frank
01-S White/Parchment
Comptech Sways & Springs

 

Mean and cool at the same time. I like it, I like it a lat. Consistent with the rest of the BMW styling cues.

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---------------------
'01 Satin Silver w/Black, Navi_less, spoiler, mud guards, wind deflector.
Tint 15%, Polarqs M6s, Things to come: sub, air kit (if exists), maybe headers, CAI, and spring/sway combo.

 

I think both the new M3 and the Z3 with the 3.2 L inline share the same engine and because the Z3 is shorter. will have a shorter exhaust and therefore less hp.. should be 315 (Motor Trend 4/01).. as opposed to the new M3's 333hp.... those could be the hp numbers for UK and Europe (esp since the E36 European M3's had 321 hp)... notice how the other inline6 engine has 231 hp.. in the States the 330 and 530 only have 225 hp even though it is the same engine.. I believe those hp numbers quoted above are for the European models/versions.. still that hp output would trounce boxsters and S2000s

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2001 Satin silver CL-S
* no navi, spoiler, mudguards
* wheel locks, full front mask
* fenderwell and door trim
* soon Comptech springs and sways
* 5% tint rear side, back

[This message has been edited by e1828 (edited 03-22-2001).]

 

I do not know E1828. I heard differently, but that Z3 is nice tho. But it is altittle to RICH for my blood.

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2001 CL-S Satin Silver/Ebnoy
Spoiler, moonroof visor, 20% Tint, V1
Mobil 1 Oil/Oil Filter and PIAA 19170/19173
X-Pel/Upgrade Cup Holder

On its way: Clifford Remote Start Alarm/WS Apexi Coilover/AEM CAI/Comptech Sway Bar

 

Correct. All the HP figures mentioned above are all Europe numbers. In all cases the difference is due to the fact that they measure in DIN or EUE or PS. But in some cases the difference amplifies due to slight differences that cars imported here will have like a more restrictive exhaust to meet emissions regulations (or an extra caralyst or different ECU mapping).

So yes the M3's engine makes 343 in Europe in DIN HP and the 3 liter engine makes 231 DIN HP.

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Gabriel
CL Type S

 

kavextrax, webtoker, dis shouldnt be here

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Black Type S, Spoiler, Comptech Headers, AEM CAI, Comptech Springs and Sway Bars...touch my car I WILL kill you
my other car is a hummer

 

its Car Talk.

so it belongs in the Car Talk forum.

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit

 

I dunno guys... I guess I just really don't like BMW styling. I think it's ugly.... especially the back. Do we really need another variation on Altezza tails?

Aside from the Z8, pretty much everything BMW makes is only "so-so" in the styling dept.

 

Man... where you been... Altezza lights aint even in-style anymore.

Jaguar lights are the ricers choice these days

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fog Lights
Aftermarket Black Wood Trim Kit

 

Heavier isn't good...

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Alex

 

heavier in this case means a 'more stable' car--if they really start jacking-in significantly more powerful motors, they're gonna need some weight to keep the 'lil beast on the road!

 

yea, i can vouch for that.
faster, lighter,& wings = fly!

maybe that was a misconception in Back to the Future 2


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- Kvit -
2001 CL=P Monterey Blue, Parchment interior
Polarg BlHybrid M-6 Road lamps
Polarg/PIAA super white interior lights *bling bling*
HP Quantum 28 -- 31% metallic tint all around
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=706725&f=0

Ferrari F355 Challenge Lap Times (Dreamcast):
-Motegi: 0'37"822 , sprint total 2'42"892
-Suzuka (short): 0'57"873
-Atlanta: 0'31"659

[This message has been edited by KavexTrax (edited 03-23-2001).]

 

If you cover up the front and the rear extremes, doesn't the fender-top creases and the general proportions kind of remind you of the S2K itself?

Th article author has me ROTFLMAO when he/she refers to the model moving upmarket (read: raising prices and content) to compete with a cheaper car, the S2K.

(Come to think of it, that's pretty much how BMW has been responding to recent Japanese competition. I think they should take a page from DaimlerChrysler, except for the ill-thought-out merger part.)

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051/LP/SR/LD/HH

[This message has been edited by DtEW (edited 03-23-2001).]

 

You are welcome sir. A couple of things though:

The rumor right now is there is NOT going to be an M Coupe derived from this body. Just a rumor. In my opinion, if the rumor is true, then there is probably not going to be an M Coupe at all and BMW will be pushing the newly developed hatchback they just unveiled (what is the name of it, you know, the one that looks like the previous 318ti).

Second, as far as your comment about the suspension, you are 100% correct. I am glad to see this comment here, it obviously comes from someone who follows autos closely from an engineering perspective. That was the main reason why the Z3s where so "tail-happy". Because for cost/production reasons, they had to pull the rear suspension from the previous gen 3 series. That suspension was old technology. Even the current suspension they us in their 3 series cars is not as high tech as ours by the way. But that is only in theory. Practically, they handle better than most.

Finally, about your last comment. Do not expect the brands you mentioned to sit tight with HP figures. I already read of Audi being ready to unveil the TT Quatro with 265HP!!! I am not sure if this will come from the current engine, it sounded like it will though. Then, Porsche is getting ready to come out with the Coupe version of the Boxster and also the 2,7 liter is going from 217HP to 230HP. Which means that the S should be getting a bump too, I am guessing 270HP. Which means that they are obliged to bump the 911 HP numbers too. I am guessing at least 325HP. All they need is to make the 3,4 liter a 3,6 liter (back to the roots, they are already using the 3,6 liter anyway in some cars). There are now rumors about a 6 cylinder S2000 and I belive them. That thing needs more torque. And the SLK's newly applyied V6 which came from the x320 cars, is due for a massage cos their cars are getting heavy and competition is now up there too.

Bottom line, IT IS A GREAT TIME TO BE A SPORTS CAR ENTHUSIAST, OR BETTER YET...A CAR ENTHUSIAST PERIOD! :-)

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Gabriel
CL Type S

 

Oh I can't wait to see what the M Coupe will look like. *drool*

I'm not huge Z3/M Roadster fan, but damn I love M Coupes.

I think the best change listed is the suspension. Not that the previous Roadster and Coupe had bad handling, they just had neanderthal suspensions for such a well bred car. Its good to see the rest of the car up to par now.

As for the styling, from the rear it looks great. But the front reminds me of the new SC430.

I would definitely want to line up against a TT hardtop quattro, Boxter (maybe even the S), and S2000 in this new monster.

Very cool,

Thanks for the heads up Gabriel.

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Kenny
Slow TL