BMW Z9 Gran Turismo Concept

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of 1999, the BMW 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 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 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.

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