BMW has produced a lot of cars over the years, and the Z8 has arguably been one of its highlights. The minimalist looks and a strong engine make this a car in demand even 20 years after its launch. The BMW Z8’s most famous appearance has been in the James Bond movie franchise. In this video, Joe Achilles tries to answer why the Z8 is so special, and what makes this car a true gem.

You May Have To Sell Your Kidney To Buy It Today

The BMW Z8 was designed by Henrik Fisker under the supervision of Chris Bangle. After two decades, the car has aged gracefully and is a true icon today. The Z8 pays tribute to the 507 Roadster and even borrows some of its design cues. When the car was launched, it came with a price tag of $128,000, making it one of the costliest cars from BMW’s stable.

Like Joe says in the video, some of the things in the interior were pretty cool for its time. For instance, one power window switch for both the windows, cabin lights fitted within the inside rearview mirror, and so on. It is these feel-good features that make cars so desirable.

Even though Joe described the manual gearbox to be a little notchy, the feel-good factor was incomparable. As pointed out, the car’s speed pickup can be compared to some electronically-aided cars from today; it just zooms without breaking a sweat. The Z8 wasn’t exactly the best car to throw around the corners, but it was a pleasure to drive nevertheless. Watch Joe in this 17-minute video to get an in-depth knowledge of the yesteryear Z8. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 1999 - 2003 BMW Z8.