Z1 vs Z8 and thoughts on UK media (archive)

The cover story in the December issue of BMW CAR magazine (from the UK) compares the Z8 to the Z1. Its an interesting viewpoint as the writers appear to have some sort of chip on their shoulder about the Z8, and prefer the Z1 for its technological risk-taking. Perhaps my own viewpoint is too biased by American media, but I can't give a contrasting opinion to the writer as I don't know the Z1. Judging by the photos, I would not have liked the Z1 very much as it has an awkward appearance not unlike the Qvale Mangusta, only a bit more trim.

As much as American magazines have praised the Z8 in general, the UK magazines begrudge the Z8 its styling and non-race-car ride with phrases like "it will remain an over styled, retro cash-in" and "An Aston Martin DB7 has infinitely more style, the Porsche 911 more ability, and Jaguar's XKR would run it close too." I have seen this attitude in several mags from over there. I have the sense that they can't get past the price. This is probably a symptom of American economic success vs UK in that the American writers can believe that many Americans can afford this car, whereas fewer Brits can. The American writers can accept the price and move on to rational comparisons. Hence we see, for example, in the US the appearance of the Z06 Corvette as value king, and rightly so, without the need to put down and bad-mouth the more expensive machinery.

Harvey2

Just curious what any of you think of the Z1 from a few years back?

I always loved its looks. Never drove in one. The first time I saw one was when I was in London- it was in a showroom. I said to myself- someday..... well, I did get a Z, but its a couple of numbers later :-)

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