Articles
BONDING WITH THE Z8 - BMW’s SUPER CAR
It may be another of those quirky little ‘boy things’, but whenever I watch a Bond film, old or new - and for several day’s thereafter, I feel just that little more suave and sophisticated. Does anyone else experience that?
Then the compulsive trait grows with a vengeance. I dust off my dark suit, dig out my bow tie, slip on a pair of gleaming black patent shoes, and hang around casinos looking appropriately expensive - that is until the security guards tell me to ‘GO AWAY’!
My step becomes more purposeful - I’m invincible - even my driving has a dangerous edge to it as I constantly search the rear view mirror for black limos weaving through the traffic trying to keep up - just as coolly as James Bond would.
My susceptibility to these flights of fancy soon fade though - my driving improves, the suit is replaced with the more usual attire - and my wife’s friends stop sniggering over their tea cups. That is until the ‘fierce roar’ of this mighty car brings them rushing onto the street thinking a natural disaster is about to ensue. I cock a sideways glance, smile a suave smile then slip inconspicuously inside for my dinner.
Star of the latest Bond film ‘The World is not enough’ is sufficient endorsement for this car. “BMW - THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH Z8”, should be written across the boot of every one. Since seeing her staring roll I have been dying to climb behind the wheel, and here she is looking like all my favourite cars rolled into one.
What was initially a concept back in 97’, turned to reality earlier this year in the form of the BMW Z8. Many of my colleagues have described this car as being ‘too pretty for her own good’. I can’t agree. BMW have balanced the design wonderfully - blending just the right amount of femininity with macho verve, producing a curvaceous two seater in classical form - ‘I can hardly keep my hands to myself’.
Settling in behind the wheel takes forever - there’s so much to take in - so much to admire. Chrome flashes at you from everywhere - the driving position is perfect - and the build quality superb; you want to keep slamming the door just to hear that solid clunk!
Twist the key, press the start button and you are immediately smacked in the back of the head with the crackle of this 400 bhp V8 - I did wonder if this may become tiresome once the novelty had worn off - we are talking really big noise here - but the answer is NO - I could live with it forever!
This motor responds from just about no rev’s at all, then goes ballistic once the needle passes 3000 rpm, with 0-62 mph in just 4.7 seconds. It delivers the power so smoothly, with such thrust you have to pay real attention to the rev counter.
Built mostly from aluminium, the body is incredibly stiff, and the ride intensely refined, push her hard and fast into any corner, then boot her aggressively out the other side, and she just hangs on and on. Even if you whack a pothole midcorner this Z8 refuses to be knocked off line.
Well I’m off to Gretna Green to marry this baby before the BMW press office come to pick her up - see you next month when I get back.