BMW

Z3: 25 years ago the iconic model of the brand arrived on the market

In November 1995, the film '007 against Golden Eye' premiered, something that would not be very relevant for the automotive media if it were not for the fact that Pierce Brosnan appeared at the helm of the BMW Z3, ​​a convertible roadster that followed in the footsteps of the BMW 507. 1950s and became an immediate success. Now he turns 25.
Accompanying the film, a special series limited to 20 units, the Z3 James Bond Edition, was launched in the United States, but demand forced BMW to increase the print run to 100 copies. It was nothing more than a sample of what was to come, since in January 1996 the entire annual production of the model, which was 15,000 units, was already sold.



Its design was a major culprit for the admiration it caused. A timeless image emerged from Joji Nagashima's pencils that stood out for its short protrusions, long hood, muscular wheel arches, lateral gills and the delayed driving position. It almost instantly became a modern classic.
But the Z3 was not just about aesthetics, since its sporty style was supported by engines that matched it. The access was a 4-cylinder block that delivered 115 hp and above it was a 143 hp unit, and in 1997 the 6-cylinder 2.8 and 193 hp were added, which would soon be accompanied by the top of the line, the Z3 Roadster M of 321 hp.



The first and only update of the model took place in 1999, when the headlights were modified, the taillights were redesigned and changes were made to the defense. Not only that, the brand also took the opportunity to update the mechanical line by increasing the power of the propellers: 1.9 liters of 117 hp, 2.0 of 150 hp, 2.2 of 170 hp, 3.0 of 231 hp and 325 hp for M.
Before this update, in the summer of 1998 the Z3 Coupe was launched, a closed-roof version with an even more muscular design than the convertible and clearly differentiated proportions. It was marketed in versions 2.8i of 193 hp, 3.0i of 231 hp and M of 321 and 325 hp. The fact that only 18,000 specimens were produced made it a ‘cult’ car much appreciated by collectors.



When the last BMW Z3 left the factory on June 28, 2002, a total of 297,087 units had been produced. The example conducted by Pierce Brosnan in 'Golden Eye' is on display at the BMW Museum in Munich.

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