1988 BMW Z1 E30

• Innovative Design: The 1988 BMW Z1 wowed car enthusiasts with its pioneering retractable doors that seamlessly slid into the car's body.

• Personalization: Owners had the unique ability to change the car's color by easily detaching and reattaching plastic body panels.

• Powerful Engine: Under the hood, a 2.5-liter inline-6 engine delivered an impressive 170 horsepower and 222 Nm of torque.

• Responsive Gearbox: The Z1 featured a 5-speed manual gearbox, offering a dynamic driving experience.

• Impressive Performance: With a top speed of 220 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h time of 9 seconds, the Z1 was no slouch in terms of performance.

• Limited Production: Due to a sudden drop in demand, only around 8,000 units of the Z1 were produced, with the majority finding homes in Germany.

• Unique Suspension: The Z1's McPherson axle at the front and innovative lower trailing arms with diagonal rods at the rear ensured a balanced and enjoyable ride.

• Precise Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion steering provided responsive handling.

• Iconic Dimensions: Its distinctive dimensions included a length of 3925 mm, width of 1690 mm, and a height of 1248 mm (with roof up: 1277 mm).

• Stylish Tires: The Z1 sported 225/45ZR16 tires, adding to its overall aesthetic appeal.

The 1988 BMW Z1 made its grand debut at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, instantly captivating car enthusiasts and garnering over 5,000 pre-orders before production even began. One of its most distinctive features was its innovative retractable doors, which seamlessly slid into the car's body, defying conventional door-opening mechanisms. Additionally, the Z1 boasted a unique plastic body panel design that allowed owners to easily change the car's color in just about 40 minutes, adding a touch of personalization.

Key Features of the 1988 BMW Z1:

• Engine: A robust 2.5-liter inline-6 engine delivered a spirited 170 horsepower (127 kW) and 222 Nm (164 ft·lb) of torque, paired with a responsive 5-speed manual gearbox.
• Performance: With a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph) and a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 9 seconds, the Z1 provided an exhilarating driving experience.

Despite its innovative design and impressive performance, the BMW Z1 faced a sudden drop in demand and was ultimately discontinued in 1991, resulting in a limited production run of approximately 8,000 units, with most finding homes in Germany.

Specifications of the 1988 BMW Z1:

• Engine: 6-cylinder inline engine (front-mounted)
• Displacement: 2494 cc
• Max. Power: 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) @ 5800 rpm
• Max. Torque: 218 Nm (161 ft·lb) @ 4300 rpm
• Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
• Suspension: McPherson axle at the front, coil springs, stabilizing bar; Lower trailing arms with diagonal rods, upper wishbones, coil springs, stabilizing bar at the rear
• Brakes: Power-assisted disc brakes with ABS
• Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion steering
• Body Structure: Plastic body panels on a unibody steel chassis with a glued-in lower tub
• Dimensions: Length: 3925 mm (154.5"), Width: 1690 mm (66.5"), Height: 1248 mm (49.1") (with roof up: 1277 mm (50.3"))
• Tire Sizes: 225/45ZR16
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 57 liters (15.1 US gal/12.5 imp gal)

The 1988 BMW Z1 remains an iconic piece of automotive history, known for its unique design and thrilling performance. For a closer look, explore the comprehensive image gallery of the 1988 BMW Z1 above.

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