Today’s manufacturers are trying to fill every niche. We look back at a concept which would have targeted a very narrow market if it had been produced by BMW.

Name:BMW Z18

Debuted: 1995

Specifics:V8 engine, 355 horsepower, all wheel-drive, five speed manual gearbox, and plastic bodyWhy It Matters Now:

BMW Technik GmbH created the Z18 concept. It is basically a Z3 roadster, but on stilts. The Z18 concept has a polarizing design that deserves our attention.

It was created in the same year as the Z3 launched. Therefore, the similarities between them are not surprising. The Z18 had an all-plastic body with four round headlights, while the Z3 featured a concave rear end with wider taillights.

BMW Technik did not create a Z18 top, but engineers created a sparsan cabin that could withstand time with waterproof bucket seats and rubber floor mats. The dashboard featured a clean and simple layout with three dials in the middle that sit above the audio system and temperature control knobs. The interior was modular, allowing it to be converted from a 2- to 4-seat convertible or even into a pickup.

The BMW Z18 features an all-wheel drive system and a V8 engine that delivers 355 horsepower (261 megawatts) to the roads with the help of a five-speed manual transmission. BMW didn’t provide any other technical details, but the concept probably had a great power-to-weight-ratio given the plastic body. The Z18 was able to perform well on uneven and bumpy roads thanks to its jacked-up suspension.

The Z18 was created to be a concept. Although there were no plans to produce a Z18, it is still intriguing and interesting.