A glimpse into the future of automotive design and technology, the Z9 is a Grand Touring four-seat coupe concept car, featuring gull wing doors, carbon-fiber skin over an aluminum space frame and the world's first V8 diesel engine. Learn all about this remarkable vehicle here!

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of 1999, the Z9 Gran Turismo concept car is making its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show.

The Z9 sports coupe showcases 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.

The Interior

The interior of the Z9 is a showcase of ground-breaking technology and ergonomic design. 

	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. Several hundred functions can be controlled with this device.
The concept of operating the Z9, which BMW calls Intuitive Interaction Concept, allows the driver to easily activate functions while driving without the need to constantly examine and manipulate conventional controls. The Z9 has only a starter button and light switch on the dashboard. An electronic key is used to activate the driver's controls. Then, a simple starter button starts the engine. The instrument panel folds out when prompted. Classic, circular dials provide feedback to the driver.  A large, 8.8-inch 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. Drive or reverse gears can be engaged with a dash mounted lever. The Steptronic transmission can also be operated with steering wheel mounted buttons. These buttons can be used for manually shifting gears.
The Doors One of the most striking features of the Z9 is the gull wing door. But, these doors can also be opened like a conventional hinged door! In the above photo, the door on the left is opened conventionally, while the door on the right opens up and out, in gull wing style. How is this possible? The conventional doors are actually fitted into the gull wings, allowing the doors to function in both ways. The full-length gull wing doors can be opened automatically at the press of a button on the electronic key. Depressing the button on the remote control will both open and close a door. In fact, holding the button down will cause the door to repeat the procedure indefinitely; in effect, like flapping it's wing! The Engine The Z9 is powered by the world's first V-8 turbo diesel, the 3.9 liter engine first produced for the BMW 7 Series 740d model.  The 3.9 liter V-8 is a common rail, direct injection unit. It produces more torque than any other engine in BMW's history, an incredible 413 lbs/ft (560 Nm) of torque. Torque is maintained constantly between 1750 and 2500 rpm to give outstanding performance even at the low end of the rev range. Maximum power is an impressive 245 hp.  Choosing a diesel engine to power a large sports coupe like the Z9 is a testament to BMW's confidence in the refinement and performance characteristics of the 3.9 liter V-8.

1. BMW Z9 Concept Car features several pictures from the Frankfurt Auto Show.

2. Z9 Steals the Show is a news release from BMW Australia. Click here for larger images.

3. BMW Z9 has a gallery of pictures from the Frankfurt Auto Show.

4. Z9 has a nice set of pictures from the Frankfurt Motor Show.

5. Pictures from BMW Greece.

Automotive Intelligence review of the Z9 from the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Z9 Pictures from Poland has some nice, larger pictures.

BMW Takes on Ferrari with Z9 has a few pictures and a review.  

El BMW Z9 gran turismo has pictures and a nice review.

BMW Z9 GT Simply the Future has pictures and info from the BMW press release.

Der BMW Z9 gran turismo is a nice review. Also, BMW Z9 Studie has a nice review and some photos. In German. 

Semplicemente nel FUTURO is a review from Motorsport in Italy. In Italian.

BMW Z9 eine neue Dimension aus München auf der IAA. In German.

BMW Z9 GT has a few pictures and some specs.

BMW Z9 Gran Turismo has some pictures and facts.

Autoworld Russia has some pictures and info. Autoreview Russia has a nice article and pictures. In Russian.

Home page of the International Automobile Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, has information on the show. In English and German. 

BMW Z9 Concept Car has some pictures and info.

News from the Frankfurt Auto Show has reviews of all of the concept cars, including the Z9.

BMW Z9 photos and review from Poland.

Pistonheads has some black and white pictures and a brief review.

Gran Turismo Z9 has some photos and info.

Quattro Ruote from Italy has some Frankfurt Auto Show pictures.

Dr. Bimmer has a couple of pictures.

BMW Z9 Concept has some pictures and commentary.

A few BMW Z9 Pictures from the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.