Convertible

A glimpse into the future of automotive design and technology, the Z9 is the latest BMW concept car, featuring carbon-fiber skin over an aluminum space frame and the world's first V8 diesel engine. 

The new Z9 Convertible was shown at the New York Auto Show!

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of 1999, the Z9 Gran Turismo concept car is back, this time in Paris at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2000 international auto show.

The Z9 sports coupe showcased innovation in both interior and exterior design, with futuristic lightweight construction, a high-torque turbo diesel engine, and a unique philosophy of interaction between car and driver.

 Here is what you can expect to see in the Z9 Convertible:

BMW has refined the interior of the Z9 sports coupe first displayed at the Frankfurt and New York auto shows. 

The interior design is open and light, following lines inspired by the world of architecture. The light cream and silver-gray interior contrasts nicely to the dark anthracite gold metallic body color. 

In the new Z9 Convertible, the steering wheel, gauges and control panels have a more familiar appearance. Gone is the fold out instrument panel of the Z9 GT in favor of a more conventional dashboard. The Z9 GT had only a starter button and a light switch on the dashboard. 

BMW's term for the human interface used in the Z9 is "iDrive", what was previously called "Intuitive Interaction Concept". 

Here's how iDrive works:

• The functions most important for motoring and safety on the road have been moved to the direct vicinity of the driver. 
• All primary driving functions are in the area around the steering wheel, offering the driver more immediate access to key controls. 
• Second level functions are controlled by conventional switches on the instrument panel, like the lights switch or the air conditioning temperature setting.
• Many controls are operated with a single large, multifunction knob located between the front seats. The control consists of a combination rotary and push button for selecting functions. Confirmation of the selected mode is displayed on a dash mounted screen. 

"iDrive" takes into account the fact that comfort, communication and driver assistance functions are only rarely adjusted while driving. The operating unit in the center console gives the driver direct access to many other driving functions and information and communication options. Several hundred functions can be controlled with this device.

There are four levers on the steering column for the direction indicators, windshield wipers, cruise control, and the automatic transmission. The transmission control has a selector lever for activating the P, R, N, and D functions. By pressing the new Steptronic buttons located in the thumb area of the multifunction steering wheel, you can switch from automatic to manual transmission control.

	A computer-type monitor is positioned directly within the driver's line of vision to the road ahead. There are displays for the navigation system and Active Cruise Control (ACC).

The large monitor in the center of the dashboard displays all the information the driver needs, apart from the speedometer and tachometer, which are conventional analog instruments. The monitor is positioned within the driver's field of vision, allowing it to be viewed while focusing attention on the road ahead.