Z4 handling, M3 GTS power and Z8 coupe looks - what's not to love? Join Matt Prior as he gets behind the wheel of the Smit Oletha, a completely reimagined BMW Z4 Coupe
It drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. It’s a bit of a squeeze in the Z4’s engine bay, though, so much so that a bespoke exhaust manifold is intricately threaded around the steering column, which itself drives with a smaller power-steering pump from a much later. They’ve used BMW parts wherever possible. At the moment, the Oletha weighs 1450kg fully fuelled, but it should be lighter with production parts.
The brothers are still tweaking the dynamics, yet to settle on a set of suspension bushings that don’t allow kickback through the steering and decide on settings for the adjustable KW suspension, currently set overfirmly. Plus they think the steering is too light. But they tell me they would like to set up the Oletha as a road car primarily, rather than as a track car, and that we should go for an afternoon drive on some good roads to find out how it feels. So we do.
We tour briefly up the coastal road and I see what the Smits mean about the ride , steering weight and kickback . But then we turn onto what Americans call canyon roads, which you and I would know as some of the twistiest, emptiest, best hillclimb roads you could come across, and it all gets better. Much, much better.At the moment, the highlight of the experience is the engine, which has a genuine triality of character.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Beat the fuel crisis: easy driving tips to save 25% in fuel costs | AutocarFilling up with fuel is now costing more than it ever has before. So we went back to driving school to learn some efficiency tips - and saved 25% in fuel costs.
Consulte Mais informação »
Mid-Engine Classic '68 Camaro Might Be The Wildest Super-Muscle-Car You've Ever Seen | CarscoopsMid-Engine Classic '68 Camaro Might Be The Wildest Super-Muscle-Car You've Ever Seen | Carscoops carscoops
Consulte Mais informação »
Ferrari SF90 Spider review | AutocarThe Ferrari SF90 Stradale claimed a number of Autocar honours when we attached our timing gear to it at MIRA for a road test - what's the convertible version like to drive?
Consulte Mais informação »
2023 BMW M3 Touring is fastest wagon on the 'Ring with 7:35 lap timeThe BMW M3 Touring is coming soon, but not to the U.S.
Consulte Mais informação »
2022 BMW 330e Long-Term Update | Luggage testTesting the cargo capacity of the plug-in hybrid BMW 330e.
Consulte Mais informação »