{{Short description|1990 concept car by BMW}} {{Use British English|date=December 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox automobile | name = BMW Z18 | image = | caption = | manufacturer = [[BMW]] | aka = | production = 1990 | model_years = | assembly = | designer = BMW Technik GmbH | class = [[Concept car]] | body_style = 2-door [[Roadster (automobile)|roadster]], 2-door [[pickup truck|pickup]] | layout = [[Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, four-wheel-drive]] | platform = | related = [[BMW Z3]], [[BMW X5]] | engine = {{cvt|4.4|L|cuin|1|abbr=on}} [[BMW M62|BMW ''M62'']] [[naturally aspirated engine|naturally aspirated]] [[V8 engine|V8]] | transmission = 5-speed [[manual transmission]] | propulsion = | wheelbase = {{cvt|NNNN|mm|in|1}} | length = {{cvt|4250|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | width = {{cvt|NNNN|mm|in|1}} | height = {{cvt|NNNN|mm|in|1}} | weight = {{cvt|1560|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} | predecessor = | successor = | sp = uk }}
The '''BMW Z18''' is a [[concept car]] developed by BMW Technik GmbH, the former [[think tank]] of [[BMW]]. Unveiled in 1995, the Z18 combined elements of the [[BMW Z3]] with those of an [[off-road vehicle]], creating what BMW described as the first "off-road roadster."<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=[[BMW]]|first=Michael|last=Ebner|date=25 March 2010|title=25 Jahre BMW (Forschung und) Technik GmbH|access-date=12 December 2022|lang=de|url=https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/austria/article/detail/T0078795DE/25-jahre-bmw-forschung-und-technik-gmbh}}</ref>
==Background== BMW Technik GmbH, founded by [[BMW]] in 1985, was an independent [[think tank]] created to develop innovative vehicle concepts featuring radical interior and exterior design elements. Some of its projects included the [[BMW E1]], an early example of a [[hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid electric car]]. Former [[Aston Martin]] chief executive officer [[Ulrich Bez]] was the first head of the think tank, under whose leadership the Z18 was developed.
The Technik division has since been reintegrated into BMW as part of its [[research and development]] department. Although the Z18 was first developed in 1990, it was not unveiled until 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Top Gear (magazine)|Top Gear]]|url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/retro/concepts-time-forgot-bmw-z18|title=Concepts that time forgot: the BMW Z18|first=Sam|last=Burnett|date=12 May 2020|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[Hagerty (insurance)|Hagerty]]|url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-design/these-7-bmw-90s-concepts-would-have-shaped-segments-anew/|title=These 7 BMW '90s concepts would have shaped segments anew|first=Ronan|last=Glon|date=19 February 2021|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
==Design== The car featured styling cues characteristic of 1990s BMWs, including the signature kidney grille, and was based on the [[BMW Z3]]. The concept behind the Z18 was to merge elements of an [[enduro motorcycle]], an [[off-road vehicle]], and a [[roadster (automobile)|roadster]], the first of which saw a rise in popularity during the 1990s. While the Z18 retained the general body shape of the Z3, it had a significantly higher ride height to enhance its off-road capabilities. The Z18's plastic body, mounted on a steel frame, was structurally similar to that of a boat, contributing to its weight of {{cvt|1560|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. Due to its increased ride height, BMW claimed that the Z18 could navigate shallow water passages with ease.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Auto Motor und Sport]]|url=https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/neuheiten/bmw-z18-concept-offroad-roadster/|lang=de|title=Diese Autos können auch Motorrad|first=Thomas|last=Gerhardt|date=20 April 2020|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref><ref name="ae">{{cite journal|journal=Automotive Engineer|volume=25|issue=8|date=September 2000|title=BMW Think-Tank Shows Future Vision.|first=Nargess|last=Shahmanesh|page=9}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[SlashGear]]|url=https://www.slashgear.com/889228/10-bmws-that-everyone-forgot-existed/|title=10 BMWs That Everyone Forgot Existed|first=Mark|last=Cowley|date=8 June 2022|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
BMW did not design a roof for the Z18, as it was conceived as a roadster. To accommodate the possibility of water entering the cabin, BMW reduced the number of components on the dashboard and waterproofed all interior elements. Additionally, the car was equipped with rubber [[vehicle mat|floor mats]]. The Z18 also featured collapsible rear seats that could be raised to convert it into a four-seater ([[2+2 (car body style)|2+2]]) and included an option to transform it into a [[pickup truck]].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Auto Bild]].es|url=https://www.autobild.es/noticias/bmw-z18-concept-embrion-los-todocaminos-x-286541|title=Prototipos abandonados: BMW Z18 Concept|date=7 April 2017|first=Raul|last=Toledano|access-date=12 December 2022|lang=es}}</ref><ref name=ae/>
The Z18 was powered by the {{cvt|4.4|L|cuin|1|abbr=on}} [[BMW M62]] V8 engine, which later found its way into the first-generation [[BMW X5 (E53)|X5]].<ref>{{cite news|title=BMW turns the wheel into future shock territory; Drive news: [Late Edition]|newspaper=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=18 August 2000|id={{ProQuest|363706890}}|page=4|location=[[Sydney]]|first=Hilton|last=Holloway}}</ref> The engine produced {{cvt|355|PS|hp kW|0|abbr=on}}, sending power to all four wheels via a 5-speed [[manual transmission]] and a [[four-wheel drive]] system—both of which were later inherited by the X5.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[motor1]]|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/62041/concept-we-forgot-1995-bmw-z18/|title=Concept We Forgot: 1995 BMW Z18|first=Adrian|last=Padeanu|date=6 April 2016|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{BMW vehicles}}
[[Category:BMW concept vehicles]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1995]]