BMW Z18 1995 Concept

[Clive68]

Just stumbled on this unusual concept SUV...

Apparently, it was designed by the company’s 1980s renegade R&D division and produced at the same time as the first Z3 was launched.

It never came with a roof, but BMW fitted waterproof seats and thick rubber floor mat, and its modular interior meant that it could be turned into a pick-up truck or a four-seater. There was no real intention of mass producing the Z18, however it helped BMW gauge potential demand for new ventures.

 

[IanA]

Hmmm- I can see a lot of "only its mother could love it" comments coming.

I'd have one if it came with a roll hoop and a full tonneau cover- like my Jago.

Those mudguards are asking to get clogged and ripped away offroad.

 

[Zephyr]

Range Rover Evoque Convertible and Volkswagen TRoc Cabriolet approve this post

 

[IanA]

Yes, pass the soap.

 

[andyglym]

Petrol, match and stand back. That's a full on double bagger

 

[Pond]

Do you think maybe someone got caught up in the success of the Suzuki Vitara in the late 80s and thought they could grab some of that market?

That thing looks like a love-child of the Suzuki X90 and an early RAV4; neither being very pretty in their own right.

 

[GZed]

 

[Althulas]

I remember reading a article about a project similar to this but also BMW was making it so it could be a convertible or a coupe with a simple change of panels and alterations of the shocks, then the Z1 came out but none of the other concept items. Maybe that was the basis?