Unveiled at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW Z9 (or Z9 Gran Turismo, Z9 GT) was designed by Chris Bangle, ex-Chief Designer of BMW Group, and represented an important turning point in the subsequent evolution of BMW’s design language. Among the features were an aluminum space frame and a V8 turbodiesel unit.
During the 2000 Paris Auto Show a convertible variant of the Z9 was debuted. The Z9 Gran Turismo Concept car features the long hood and short rear deck that have become hallmarks of BMW sport coupe design. The Z9 featured a carbon fiber skin over an aluminum space frame offering both high rigidity and light weight.
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