Admittedly, the BMW Z8 Alpina Roadster is an impressive roadster armed with the good kind of retro design but once you start delving into the details of it, then things start to get rather weird.
You see, unlike the regular BMW Z8 which had the same powertrain with the E39 M5, the Alpina version not only used a different, smaller 4.8-litre V8 engine with less power, but was also offered only with a five-speed automatic gearbox.
The two models were never offered at the same time, with Alpina waiting for BMW to end the production of the regular Z8 in order to offer their take on the two-seater roadster. Their goal was to give the Z8 a more GT-like character, with the 375hp engine providing more torque in lower rpms and the suspension softened for more suppleness.
Similarly, the cabin was dressed with softer leather while the trademark blue dials also in place. Overall, the Alpina version of the Z8 is a much rarer car than its sibling after a production run of just 555 units.
This is also the first Alpina to be sold directly through BMW’s official network in the US market. You can easily find flaws to it, but the truth is that very few cars look and feel so special like this BMW Z8 Alpina does.
Matt Farah takes a black example out for a spin for his latest One Take video.