Z8 Coupé

[VeeArrrSix]

The Oletha combines Z8 looks with a Z4 chassis and an M3 engine

via Autoblog:

If the 1997 BMW M Coupe was a clown shoe, then a new third-party, fixed-head design inspired by the 2000 Z8 is an elegant cap-toe oxford. Named the Oletha, the car is described as an infusion of American ingenuity and passion into German engineering and precision by its builders, Smit Vehicle Engineering. The Z8 coupe is also beautiful in a way BMW's own Z8 roadster didn't quite nail.

Under the Oletha's carbon-fiber composite skin is all-BMW running gear. According to the company website, power stems from an S65B44, a naturally aspirated 4.4-liter V8 plucked from an E92 M3 GTS. Output is pegged at over 450 horsepower with an 8,500-rpm redline. However, instead of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission as on the M3 GTS, a six-speed manual transfers power to the rear wheels.

SVE's website doesn't disclose what the platform donor was, but based on the doors it appears to be an E85-generation Z4 or, more likely, the E86 coupe variant. The de-Bangle-ized coupe takes a few liberties with the Z8's design. The kidney grilles taper on the outer ends and lack the Z8's inset fog lamps. Gone too are the slit turn signals flanking the grille below the headlights. The addition of a slim hood scoop gives off a 1950s Italian flavor. The original Z8 roadster had an awkward notchback profile with a hardtop fitted to it, while the Oletha has a graceful, sweeping fastback roofline that ends in a electrically actuated decklid spoiler.

Delve deeper into the Oletha and one finds a smorgasbord of aftermarket parts, such as a KW 2-way adjustable suspension and AP Racing brakes. Forged aluminum control arms and tasteful split-spoke wheels reminiscent of past BMW rollers were custom-fabbed. 3D-printed plastics, composites and metal bits abound to fill in the non-OEM gaps of this bespoke two-seater.

SVE is offering commissioned builds of the Oletha. Customers will get to choose materials, colors, and textures. If you missed out on your chance to own one of the 400 Z8 roadsters (well, 399 since the guy from "Friends" crashed his), or simply prefer the coupe look, you now have options.

The Smit brothers who founded SVE call it "the car [they] wish BMW had built" and a "love letter to the BMW of our childhoods." Often third-party creations have a cobbled together look that doesn't quite match the quality of an OEM design, but we think most casual bystanders would be hard pressed to identify the Oletha as a non-factory concoction.

[Tripper]

@veearrrsix YES S65, YES overall shape, NOPE a lot of the details Edit: eh I dunno the more I look the less I mind the details I said nope to

[RallyWrench]

@veearrrsix One of my coworkers saw this in Monterey and was impressed overall.

[Milky]

@veearrrsix Good butt, should have left the front alone.

[phenotyp]

@veearrrsix Paging @WBizarre ... didn't you do some morphorensics on this?

[phenotyp]

@veearrrsix Also, I think they put the grille on upside-down.

[WBizarre]

@phenotyp

sure did!
I love this thing, wonder how much it costs. I'd skip the engine swap and just keep the Z4M's S54. So, $30k for a food Z4M, and probably another $30k for the body? That's a hot piece for $60k.

[frinesi2]

@tripper it's a bit like the Disco Volante. I love it, but I can't quite say I like it.

[AMGtech]

@veearrrsix so the front is a halfway morph between Z8 and Qvale Mangusta, mated with the rear of an AMG GT...? I like it, but calling it a Z8 feels wrong. I love the original Z8 but this feels not like a Z8.

[VeeArrrSix]

@amgtech spot on. This ain't no Z8 no matter how much they want it to be.

[WBizarre]

@amgtech said in Z8 Coupé:

calling it a Z8 feels wrong

That's why it's called Oletha, not Z8.

[Nauraushaun]

@milky said in Z8 Coupé:

@veearrrsix Good butt, should have left the front alone.

completely agree

[beefchips]

@nauraushaun said in Z8 Coupé:

@milky said in Z8 Coupé:

@veearrrsix Good butt, should have left the front alone.

completely agree

@VeeArrrSix i like it too, reminds me of an f-type from the back

[pip bip]

@veearrrsix https://opposite-lock.com/topic/23138/oletha-coupe?_=1632396329257

[VeeArrrSix]

@pip-bip I guess I missed it.