Smit Oletha: The $450k Z8 Coupe BMW never made

Smit Oletha: The $450k Z8 Coupe BMW never made | Top Gear

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2 жыл бұрын

It’s not what you think it is, this car. You’re probably looking at it and thinking ‘what have they done to a BMW Z8?’ But all is not as it seems here. This is not a BMW Z8 coupe so much as a greatest hits of BMW’s parts bin. It’s called the Smit Oletha and it’s the brainchild of two engineering-obsessed brothers from California, Willem and Kaess Smit. Both have mechanical engineering backgrounds, one in aerospace and advanced composites, the other in automotive with stints at both Tesla and Singer. But have they built the car BMW never would? We sent Top Gear Magazine's Ollie Marriage to California to investigate.
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Пікірлер: 788

@Oliur 2 жыл бұрын

This may be one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. It's like an e-type and Z8 blended together.

@K1ng1995 2 жыл бұрын

It looks like it came right out of GTA V Online

@hairspringwatches 2 жыл бұрын

8C as well no?

@thatonenigeriansformula 2 жыл бұрын

The sky is blue

@Joshua-ev9uw 2 жыл бұрын

It looks like it got punched in the nose and it's swollen

@bDz416 2 жыл бұрын

@@hairspringwatches Was literally just about to comment that...it was like the first thing i spotted within the design.

@M1911jln 2 жыл бұрын

Back when the original Z8 came out, a friend of my mine was working as a Mercedes salesman at a dealer that also had a BMW franchise. We were shopping for a new Mercedes at the time and he showed us the Z8 in the parking lot. What a lovely car the original Z8 is, but this is even more beautiful. Too bad BMW is no longer building beautiful cars.

@TheBigBenji890 2 жыл бұрын

The Z8 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made in my opinion.

@TheFK8Life 2 жыл бұрын

Mercedes is tho AMG GT wow

@Tm0n3y762 2 жыл бұрын

I beg to differ bmw are selling betting then ever lol

@federicoguinand9451 2 жыл бұрын

@@Tm0n3y762 doesnt mean that they are selling beautiful cars

@johnthomasmoulton8934 2 жыл бұрын

@@federicoguinand9451 selling to non-enthusiasts

@randyledford6496 2 жыл бұрын

That sound is amazing 👏 no pops no bangs just more of the engine and just the right match exhaust sound..

@Lucas-ck1po 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah... it has the intake resonating sounds normally associated with the good old N/A engines of the past with an american muscle tone to it. Why would anyone want pops and crackles over that : ) Wonderful

@Lucas-ck1po 2 жыл бұрын

@Damar Fadlan Hello there

@somerandomfella 2 жыл бұрын

I was about to say that. No OPF, rev limiter or pops & bangs 👌🔥🔥🔥

@Bearly7feettall 2 жыл бұрын

It sounds like a cruddy American camaro. No thanks

@donjuan150 2 жыл бұрын

@@Bearly7feettall What??

@TheKRVR 2 жыл бұрын

I got to see this car in person in San Diego, and it was spectacular. The fit and finish alone were truly sensational, and - in person - the car looks even better. It’s a truly exciting and original build - and I’m in love.

@emil_305 2 жыл бұрын

That car is beautiful

@sjay7292 2 жыл бұрын

☝️ report low rent porn/cr*p like this

@sjay7292 2 жыл бұрын

Want one, looks incredible

@babayaga2841 2 жыл бұрын

Merc gt

@MrZattack101 2 жыл бұрын

They really took the absolute best bits from the z4 coupe and z8 platforms. I'm very impressed by how it looks, especially from behind.

@ArthurZakaryan23 2 жыл бұрын

Extremely well done. Can't say a single thing I don't like about it. Almost half a mil is a lot of money sure but if say it's worth it.

@ytsux9259 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know, man. For that money, I'd much prefer the Lexus LFA over this.

@unowen-nh9ov 2 жыл бұрын

@@ytsux9259 Or just keep the V8 in an M3, this looks like 3200 GT Maserati.

@unowen-nh9ov 2 жыл бұрын

Original Z8 for less, pls.

@kraenk12 2 жыл бұрын

You’re a friend of the Makers wanna bet?

@kraenk12 2 жыл бұрын

The front has been ruined:(

@philn7708 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. That looks fantastic. When I started watching though, I thought it was a shame they had cut up a Z8, but since it's a Z4 (in itself a pretty car, but not so rare) it's actually all good news.

@nuu-age1118 2 жыл бұрын

Z4m coupes actually are pretty rare. Not z8 status, but definitely hard to find. As I am writing this; I don't remember if he said it could only be done with the coupe or its not chassis specific.

@alexandermaloney4016 2 жыл бұрын

@@nuu-age1118 Actually the Z4M Coupé is a rarer car than the Z8

@mmmbetter55 2 жыл бұрын

Same! This thing is fantastic

@aabidamn 2 жыл бұрын

Apart from the $450K Z4 price tag.

@HENRYPAN19 2 жыл бұрын

@@aabidamn please do ignore the fact that this car is like the bmw equivalent to a singer 911 in every way except for the interior

@hazardousfromage 2 жыл бұрын

If only BMW made good looking cars nowadays

@crow2967 Жыл бұрын

It’s so sad man

@alasdairstuart3394 7 ай бұрын

I know what you mean but they still do, you just have to select carefully.

@magicianmd645 2 жыл бұрын

This is a cool car…and the back of it looks amazing 🤩

@allensaunders449 2 жыл бұрын

Love it. That's a classy understated grill. The whole car is beautiful. The interior is a bit of a let down though

@HENRYPAN19 2 жыл бұрын

Even up until the last generation of BMW line up their grills are still sort of widening horizontally throughout the years, but... sigh... we all know what happened....

@cry2love 2 жыл бұрын

Weird thing when I see the shapes of Z8 I can feel them, that is almost the only car I have a strong tactile memory to, loved it since I was 10, since 1999 or 2000 when I saw Pierce Brosnan driving it as agent 007 and when I bought the car, but 1/18 size. The feeling of shapes still in memory like I'm touching it with my eyes

@bobanppvc 2 жыл бұрын

You bought car 🤣🤣

@RCmaniac667 2 жыл бұрын

Same story

@cry2love 2 жыл бұрын

@@RCmaniac667 So cool to hear :)

@Joshua-ev9uw 2 жыл бұрын

That one looked better than this one imo. This one looks like it's face had an allergic reaction and it swelled up

@deafpool 2 жыл бұрын

tf he smokin m8s

@FoolOfAToke 2 жыл бұрын

As a Z4M Coupe owner, this is awesome to see. My end-goal is to put an S65 V8 into my own car, and seeing it done (a few others have as well) always makes it seem more like a reality. Although I want to swap mine in to be California CARB/SMOG legal, and am 90% sure I will be able to work within the letter of the law to do so.

@xnotasweatx 2 жыл бұрын

@@rahulsudhir666 love the Z4 GT3 car such a brutal race car

@chesspiece81 2 жыл бұрын

Too bad the 4.4 stroker kits are $10k

@VincentPiquet 2 жыл бұрын

You've got the marvelous straight 6, no need V8

@ridanann 2 жыл бұрын

@@VincentPiquet he wants the worst part of an American car with some of the best parts of European cars it makes sense if you're American probably remember they do eat lead paint chips in school v ate mo der 🤠 ironically I would get something like a Dodge and slap a V12 in there British eccentricity at it's finest

@tonyt3509 2 жыл бұрын

And then another lunatic was even able fit an S85 in a Z4.

@quitethesnapper 2 жыл бұрын

I'd buy this instantly if this was in a bmw showroom. Some of their current design language could take away a lot from this car and it's beautiful appearance.

@falcongamer58 2 жыл бұрын

Aside from the headlights, the car would still look new 20 years from now

@wearymicrobe 2 жыл бұрын

I have seen this car in person they bring it out to shows every now and then. As someone who has done a few custom builds the composite layouts and seams were the best I have ever seen outside of a MSO 720s. When you think of the small build numbers it makes it even more impressive. It really is a complete package.

@CoDWiiPS3Gameplay 2 жыл бұрын

Best sounding engine I've ever heard. EVER. What a car. What a beauty!!

@pavoltaraba6495 2 жыл бұрын

It’s such a joy to watch in 4K, thanks for the unmatched quality.

@hellosheila 2 жыл бұрын

In 2009, I had a boss who owned a Z8. I had a chance to sit in it and check it out. I remember being impressed at what it was, and thinking, wow, this is really nice, but I wasn't blown away by its beauty. I definitely am with this. This is stunning.

@S-T-E-V-E 2 жыл бұрын

This is stunning, but to be honest the Z4 Coupe is one of the most beautiful cars BMW has ever made! Totally underrated!

@samuelryanscott5111 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful scenery, makes the car look even better

@Kiwiknecht 2 жыл бұрын

Hey do you know where that is ? Is it in California ?

@wyattvoigtlander1857 2 жыл бұрын

Yep! Cleveland National Forest near Lake Henshaw.

@patrickmendoza6526 2 жыл бұрын

Palomar Mountain, California! Nice place to drive for us in San Diego County

@davehamilton354 2 жыл бұрын

Watching and enjoying the creation and realized hot damn I know that road well!

@christianhdot1490 2 жыл бұрын

That Design is just amazing. I am a huge Fan of the Z8. I really hope BMW makes a reunion of this Car.

@christianhdot1490 2 жыл бұрын

@@mb1326 Honestly I don't like their current design. Chris Bangle was a genius .

@gf04rce76 2 жыл бұрын

Stunning design - really impressive 👍

@RichardFanders 2 жыл бұрын

If only BMW made cars that looked something like that these days.

@magnustan841 2 жыл бұрын

8 Series is the closest we’ve got. Great car, but not an old car.

@adambenk0 2 жыл бұрын

If only we could have cars with v8 that sound this good. Nowadays, there is no car with v8 that sounds this good anymore.

@magnustan841 2 жыл бұрын

@@adambenk0 The Shelby GT500 and GT350 would like to have a word with you, in fact, so do the Camaro, Charger, Challenger, pretty anything that’s American performance.

@adambenk0 2 жыл бұрын

@@magnustan841 They dont sound this good but they sound much better than anything money can buy in EU (except 911 gt3 which you cant buy :D)

@magnustan841 2 жыл бұрын

@@adambenk0 AMG still do a very good job, but I agree, with all the other stuff from M and RS, you have to get something aftermarket if you’re really chasing that anti-social stuff. To be honest, most owners would have done it anyway, so I don’t know why a fair few are complaining so much. Plus, it’s not even the manufacturer’s fault. The latest models have exhausts that work with those filters, so that will improve things somewhat. So long as the car sounds good from the inside, happy days.

@benjaminwright8951 2 жыл бұрын

Z8. E39 m5 engine. Most visceral, incredible thing ive ever experienced.

@LunringNassar 2 жыл бұрын

If the Porsche 928 existed today, it would look similar to this. Always been a quiet fan of the Z8, now I want one of these.

@dardoura 2 жыл бұрын

It looks like a proper Bond car.

@dardoura 2 жыл бұрын

@@giselle8924 yes but I think it captures the essence of the classic bond cars too, that's also for fans over 50 years old

@pedramPN 2 жыл бұрын

It makes me so happy to see what they created. I‘ve always loved the look of the Z8, but this is on another level!

@PKP1 2 жыл бұрын

Im so glad somebody got round to finally sorting this car and giving it the treatment it so long deserved. Brilliant.

@m7mmadbasam724 Жыл бұрын

4 minutes into the video and I can say the Oletha project is well-done !. Can't get over how good this thing looks

@nightkidsgolden582 2 жыл бұрын

Why couldn’t Bmw produce this from factory absolutely gorgeous

@Orcawhale1 2 жыл бұрын

Because 3d printing carbon fibre parts weren't a thing back in 2000, when the Z8 was made.

@devandrasimanjuntak1646 2 жыл бұрын

@@Orcawhale1 I think he meant design-wise. Current BMW cars looked like they were designed by a 12 year old.

@Orcawhale1 2 жыл бұрын

@@devandrasimanjuntak1646 It still wouldn't have been able to look like that, even if were just talking design.

@therpmfreek7383 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video, Ollie. I love that car and your review was excellent. Could listen to that engine all day long.

@shashankchoudhary3436 2 жыл бұрын

Wow ..... The sound of the engine was sensational along with the beautiful flowing body of the car. Just Perfect, hats off to the brothers who did an amazing job.

@eduardovillalon7496 2 жыл бұрын

It’s absolutely gorgeous! One of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen!

@marcust510 2 жыл бұрын

This thing is gorgeous! & looks like it’s so enjoyably to drive. What a car 😍

@ewanstewart8011 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a fantastic piece of design I think that back end is truly wondrous, the tail lights are perfectly proportional, the spoiler looks great up or down, just wow 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@myou6675 2 жыл бұрын

Had a Z4m coupe and an E92 M3, this is a nice combo!

@rjg02005 2 жыл бұрын

Such a beautiful car. The Z8 is one of the best looking cars ever made. This one is definitely a rival for the title.

@peterclifton6312 2 жыл бұрын

What an absolute stunner if that’s the first Car the brothers have made, big manufacturers need to take a note that’s how you do it, it’s beautiful

@kevmagill5163 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful to hear and see this excellent automotive creation...dream status.

@AntJD1991 2 жыл бұрын

Damn that thing is more of a dream car than most modern supercars! Looks amazing, sounds amazing and seems like great fun on the roads rather than a race track!!

@automonkey4285 2 жыл бұрын

It looks sensational... absolutely serving design!

@donjuan150 2 жыл бұрын

Just the best reviews...keep them coming!!

@jasonb4988 2 жыл бұрын

As a super fan of the Z8, I can totally understand their vision. Fabulous job .. Even in the video you can see the amazing design and quality .. it’s a huge WOW ! Congrats on the efforts .. Fantastic !

@KnuckleBoyVG 2 жыл бұрын

Almost has a fisker/karma look to the front. Absolutely stunning

@chronicmachines6717 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love this, Congratulations guys, I have been looking at my Z8 1:18 model car since I was a kid, And having owned a bmw recently I agree they don't make good cars anymore. And I prefer there older stuff.

@am55vids 2 жыл бұрын

That is in the top 10 if not top five most beautiful cars I've ever seen. The sound makes it all the more so. Gorgeous locations for the video too. Looks like California

@wyattvoigtlander1857 2 жыл бұрын

Cleveland National Forest near Lake Henshaw

@SamRommer 2 жыл бұрын

What an incredible engine sound, great review!

@oesoy 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, nice to see the twisty roads of Palomar mountain in a top gear video.

@artel6225 2 жыл бұрын

What an absolute beauty. Z4 3.0 manual loved the engine in that. RHD 1 of these for the UK market happy days

@pd1596 2 жыл бұрын

A nice compilation of the BMW parts bin!

@farishanafiah8461 2 жыл бұрын

It looks like a lovechild between the AC/Shelby Cobra and Jaguar E-Type. That looks gorgeous!

@magnusshawn4698 2 жыл бұрын

Omg I could listen to that car all day long! It sounds like the late 60s

@harryspeakup8452 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful car, and one which from the description drives very much the way I like to drive. I agree 911GT3 is not really the comparator. To me the Porsche it evokes is a hypothetical modernised 928GTS. I wonder if they can make them in right-hand drive?

@MerlinNilFeigenbaum 2 жыл бұрын

What an absolute beefcake. Masterful work.

@Malteser3535 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect engine swap for the E86 platform. Really want to do this to a standard Z4 Coupé.

@Eastcoastcarclub 2 жыл бұрын

I’m surprised more people haven’t done the engine swap. It’s a great idea

@christopherignacio7412 2 жыл бұрын

That’s Palomar Mountain, East Grade! Gorgeous drive & car, I would’ve flipped to have seen this up ripping up there. Hope you enjoyed your stay in San Diego!

@jpspotscars5421 2 жыл бұрын

That has to be the best newish V8 I've heard in a while. Imma miss these when they finally go

@canadakillam 2 жыл бұрын

It makes me happy that this exists. I’ll never own one. But the world is better when there is beauty to behold that makes you believe in your fellow man

@thejunker5961 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing engineering team and beautiful looking car. Cant wait to see it on the road.

@jamalcan1 2 жыл бұрын

This is such an amazing looking car!! I mean, stunning!! These brothers did a great job

@117johnpar 2 жыл бұрын

I think they could have done some form of rear underbody diffuser, something that didn't upset the bodywork that much, as well as the integrated active aero spoiler. To relieve the 'upforce' being enacted (I assume) due to the shape of the teardrop body.

@creativeearthian1702 2 жыл бұрын

This is perfection. But imo it would be cooler if the rear pillar went all the way to the door window, and if the roof was slightly sloped through the central line, like the coupe version of the original Z8 concept. It just has that special, intangible and indescribable charm that evokes Bond and retro modernism in a really unique way.

@LGodlike 2 жыл бұрын

The hips of the car and generally the back end is SO good I really want one

@diurnalall 2 жыл бұрын

Z3M Coupe owner here - love this Z8 Coupe tribute! I'd be interested to see if anyone would make some kind of Z3M restomod in the next few years, as I definitely feel like that chassis would benefit from a ground-up revision, much like the Z4 Coupe (which is not the prettiest car IMHO). Very well done here!

@Noobmaster-bj9xl 2 жыл бұрын

The Z8 is a timeless work of art. Such a beauty.

@traporocker 2 жыл бұрын

What a masterpiece! And that sound.. WOW!

@peterthomas1079 2 жыл бұрын

Coachbuilding done properly... very nice work that many manufacturers should be envious of....

@ironwarrior73 2 жыл бұрын

What a stunning car! If I had the funds, I’d definitely buy one. Such a classic and great sound.

@darkshinobi3030 2 жыл бұрын

That rear view is unparalleled. I love it

@S.F.D.R 2 жыл бұрын

wow thats one of the best sounding cars ive heard in a while

@eaminslim52 2 жыл бұрын

Not sure, feels like curves at the back dont really match bmw design language, may as well have used the z4 platform and did an original front as well

@wilsondetailing4577 2 жыл бұрын

that is one of the most gorgeous cars ive ever seen...top 5 of all time

@King_droid4908 2 жыл бұрын

This car looks like a alfa romeo from germany and sounds like a dodge charger nice car looks great

@randyledford6496 2 жыл бұрын

Nothing like a charger sound..

@vincents6683 2 жыл бұрын

Just saw it today at a Cars and Coffee in Rancho Santa Fe. Beau-ti-ful…😍

@NiceTryAmigo 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds amazing, looks beautiful!

@ShannonSouthAfrica 2 жыл бұрын

I can say that was I blessed to be able to drive a Z8 for 10 mins years ago. What a car.

@jasonmcconnell5412 2 жыл бұрын

So jealous and such a beautiful car! Never would have thought it was something else!

@OmDahake 2 жыл бұрын

That car looks and feels brilliant

@Floorguy1000 2 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful car! It's funny as I just bought a car to replace my MGB. I had looked really at only a few cars the BMW Z 4...and the Jag XK, 100 and 150 series. Ended up with an XK 150 type, which is lovely.

@Gshekela Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Respect for the engineers.

@devanman7920 2 жыл бұрын

That looks....soooooo good!

@johnkeller236 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic job. That engine is really make quite a unique sound

@nicolasleblond279 2 жыл бұрын

I think this is a brilliant idea. I’m not talking about the work, or the engine, or the fact they used a Z4… i’m talking about quitting your job at Tesla. No more seriously, this is really cool.

@beinghappy1312 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely love the look and sound of it

@viktor928 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing peace of art! ❤️ imagine that with the new style grill 😅

@evildrizzt1 2 жыл бұрын

Looks like an old school roadster. Not really my style but very impressive engineering. Even the position of the engine behind the front axle is on point

@spdcrzy 2 жыл бұрын

7:20 someone forget to sync all the audio in...it cuts from "BMW developed the Z-" to "which means when they turned it into a coupe...". I'm guessing the missing audio is "4 as a convertible".

@mosmos2740 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing build - wow!

@MrReese 2 жыл бұрын

That a few people can create something like that is nothing short of breathtaking. And it looks like a blend of a BMW, a Jaguar, and a Porsche. Unbelievable.

@Noise-Bomb 2 жыл бұрын

Well that's quite a beautiful machine!

@patricsteele 2 жыл бұрын

Wonder what the curb weight is and how it'd compare to at the BMW powered Wiesmann GT fastback?

@rafaelmartinvannostrand2084 2 жыл бұрын

how much beautiful and elegant are sport cars with simple and clean lines. I don't care if its 0.whatever slower on the track, that is a timeless design that will age like wine.

@PerfectRotation 2 жыл бұрын

This is everything I didn't know I needed in life.

@ValuedComment 2 жыл бұрын

I instantly thought it was a Z4 but what they've done with it is miraculous. I'm not in love with those wheels, I think they could have given it something like the Alpina Dynamic wheels, but overall it's a real thing of beauty. And I know it's not cheap, but it's £100,000 less than the Redux E30 M3s built by Retropower and I know where my money would be going.

@j4h3d08 2 жыл бұрын

Seeing the reflection at the start, kind of like if it had two yellow stripes on the sides

@beauwulf 2 жыл бұрын

Just shows how great the original BMW z4 Coupe e86 platform was. It's more rare than the Z8 to begin with, even if it's not where near the price.

@OriginalNotNyanCat 2 жыл бұрын

What the hell is this glorious thing. Its incredible.

@AV-ui6xq 2 жыл бұрын

Wow love the engine and exhaust sound and agree with the 60s cobra characterization about the feel and style. But for the price, in my opinion, the dash and seats would need an upgrade or customization in materials and design-it seems completely untouched from the donor car.

@lukazupie7220 2 жыл бұрын

I absoulutely love the car but i must agree with you about interior. Still… im in love😀