- 16,670 km

- 381 bhp – torque of 520 Nm at 3800 rpm

- One of only 555 Alpina Z8s built

Presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1999, 5,703 units of the BMW Z8 were built from 2000–2003. Brilliantly styled by Chris Bangle and Henrik Fisker, who created a neo-retro design inspired by the earlier BMW 8 Series from 1989 and, of course, the 507 V8 roadster from 1955, it featured the same layout with two seats and a front-mounted V8, in this case the engine from the M5 which developed 400 bhp at 6600 rpm, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

A specification that delighted enthusiasts looking for a thrilling drive, but did not necessarily suit all BMW’s customers, particularly in North America, the Z8’s main target market. Burkard Bovensiepen’s team therefore decided to ‘gentrify’ it! Alpina took away 19 bhp and added an automatic transmission. An amazing step, but – as always with Alpina – the treatment it reserved for the Z8 was based on a relentless logic: on torque. As ever, Alpina succeeded in making the Z8 far more pleasant to use and to drive.

The Alpina Z8 presented here has been enjoyed by its current owner, the chairman of an international shipping group and a great lover of beautiful cars, since 2011. It is in virtually new condition, with an up-to-date service history. It is a superb example and comes equipped with its hardtop. The Alpina Z8 is rare: it is a true collector’s car with remarkable performance that is easy to use, and its price will continue to increase in the years to come.

Photos © Alexis Ruben