# BMW Z18 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BMW_Z18 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BMW_Z18.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z18 > Source revision: 1300370391 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1990 concept car by BMW Motor vehicle BMW Z18 Overview Manufacturer BMW Production 1990 Designer BMW Technik GmbH Body and chassis Class Concept car Body style 2-door roadster, 2-door pickup Layout Front-engine, four-wheel-drive Related BMW Z3, BMW X5 Powertrain Engine 4.4 L (268.5 cu in) BMW M62 naturally aspirated V8 Transmission 5-speed manual transmission Dimensions Length 4,250 mm (167.3 in) Kerb weight 1,560 kg (3,439 lb) The **BMW Z18** is a [concept car](/source/Concept_car) developed by BMW Technik GmbH, the former [think tank](/source/Think_tank) of [BMW](/source/BMW). Unveiled in 1995, the Z18 combined elements of the [BMW Z3](/source/BMW_Z3) with those of an [off-road vehicle](/source/Off-road_vehicle), creating what BMW described as the first "off-road roadster."[1] ## Background BMW Technik GmbH, founded by [BMW](/source/BMW) in 1985, was an independent [think tank](/source/Think_tank) created to develop innovative vehicle concepts featuring radical interior and exterior design elements. Some of its projects included the [BMW E1](/source/BMW_E1), an early example of a [hybrid electric car](/source/Hybrid_electric_vehicle). Former [Aston Martin](/source/Aston_Martin) chief executive officer [Ulrich Bez](/source/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](/source/Research_and_development) department. Although the Z18 was first developed in 1990, it was not unveiled until 1995.[2][3] ## Design The car featured styling cues characteristic of 1990s BMWs, including the signature kidney grille, and was based on the [BMW Z3](/source/BMW_Z3). The concept behind the Z18 was to merge elements of an [enduro motorcycle](/source/Enduro_motorcycle), an [off-road vehicle](/source/Off-road_vehicle), and a [roadster](/source/Roadster_(automobile)), 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 1,560 kg (3,439 lb). Due to its increased ride height, BMW claimed that the Z18 could navigate shallow water passages with ease.[4][5][6] 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 [floor mats](/source/Vehicle_mat). The Z18 also featured collapsible rear seats that could be raised to convert it into a four-seater ([2+2](/source/2%2B2_(car_body_style))) and included an option to transform it into a [pickup truck](/source/Pickup_truck).[7][5] The Z18 was powered by the 4.4 L (268.5 cu in) [BMW M62](/source/BMW_M62) V8 engine, which later found its way into the first-generation [X5](/source/BMW_X5_(E53)).[8] The engine produced 355 PS (350 hp; 261 kW), sending power to all four wheels via a 5-speed [manual transmission](/source/Manual_transmission) and a [four-wheel drive](/source/Four-wheel_drive) system—both of which were later inherited by the X5.[9] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Ebner, Michael (25 March 2010). ["25 Jahre BMW (Forschung und) Technik GmbH"](https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/austria/article/detail/T0078795DE/25-jahre-bmw-forschung-und-technik-gmbh) (Press release) (in German). [BMW](/source/BMW). Retrieved 12 December 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Burnett, Sam (12 May 2020). ["Concepts that time forgot: the BMW Z18"](https://www.topgear.com/car-news/retro/concepts-time-forgot-bmw-z18). *[Top Gear](/source/Top_Gear_(magazine))*. Retrieved 12 December 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Glon, Ronan (19 February 2021). ["These 7 BMW '90s concepts would have shaped segments anew"](https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-design/these-7-bmw-90s-concepts-would-have-shaped-segments-anew/). *[Hagerty](/source/Hagerty_(insurance))*. Retrieved 12 December 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Gerhardt, Thomas (20 April 2020). ["Diese Autos können auch Motorrad"](https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/neuheiten/bmw-z18-concept-offroad-roadster/). *[Auto Motor und Sport](/source/Auto_Motor_und_Sport)* (in German). Retrieved 12 December 2022. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ae_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ae_5-1) Shahmanesh, Nargess (September 2000). "BMW Think-Tank Shows Future Vision". *Automotive Engineer*. **25** (8): 9. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Cowley, Mark (8 June 2022). ["10 BMWs That Everyone Forgot Existed"](https://www.slashgear.com/889228/10-bmws-that-everyone-forgot-existed/). *[SlashGear](/source/SlashGear)*. Retrieved 12 December 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Toledano, Raul (7 April 2017). ["Prototipos abandonados: BMW Z18 Concept"](https://www.autobild.es/noticias/bmw-z18-concept-embrion-los-todocaminos-x-286541). *[Auto Bild](/source/Auto_Bild).es* (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 December 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Holloway, Hilton (18 August 2000). "BMW turns the wheel into future shock territory; Drive news: [Late Edition]". *[Sydney Morning Herald](/source/Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. [Sydney](/source/Sydney). p. 4. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [363706890](https://www.proquest.com/docview/363706890). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Padeanu, Adrian (6 April 2016). ["Concept We Forgot: 1995 BMW Z18"](https://www.motor1.com/news/62041/concept-we-forgot-1995-bmw-z18/). *[motor1](/source/Motor1)*. Retrieved 12 December 2022. v t e BMW vehicles Current Cars 1 Series 2 Series Active Tourer Gran Coupé 3 Series 4 Series 5 Series 7 Series Crossovers/SUV X1 X2 X3 X5 X6 X7 M M2 M3 M4 M5 X3 M X5 M X6 M XM i i3 i5 i7 iX1 iX2 iX3 iX5 iX Upcoming iX4 Concepts 3.0 CSL Hommage Concept 4 Series Coupé Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid Concept Coupé Mille Miglia CS Concept Concept X6 E1 (Z11 • Z15) Garmisch GINA Concept i4 i8 Concept i8 Concept Spyder i Vision Circular i Vision Dee Vision iNext iX Flow Concept i Vision Dynamics M1 Homage concept Nazca C2 Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Track Trainer Turbo Vision ConnectedDrive Vision EfficientDynamics X-Coupe ActiveHybrid X6 X7 Pick-up Concept Z07 Concept Z9 Z13 Z18 Z21 Z22 Zagato Coupé Zagato Roadster Discontinued 6 Series 8 Series X4 M1 M6 M8 i4 i8 Z Z1 Z3 Z4 Z8 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [BMW Z18](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z18) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z18?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.