Mazda’s MX-5 topped the roadster sales charts, but this duo of contemporaries brought real innovation to the sector. Words Greg Macleman. Photography Tony Baker.
DARING TO BE DIFFERENT BMW Z1 E30 vs LOTUS ELAN M100 A pair of roadster rivals with the same aim, but entirely different approaches
The morning of 10 February 1989 isn’t a date that will stick in the memory of most people, bar those with birthdays or anniversaries, and maybe Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man picked up a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival that evening). But you can be sure that designers at Hethel and the Bavarian business managers would have been shedding a tear at the sight of the Mazda MX-5 slipping its cover at the Chicago Auto Show. The car sent shockwaves through the industry, almost single-handedly reviving a segment of the market that many felt had died with the original Elan; it must have been particularly difficult for Lotus top brass that the new Japanese car took so much inspiration from their own back catalogue.
It was salt in the wound, then, that they had been beaten to the punch by a matter of months, with the brand-new M100 Elan – Lotus’ first open sports car since the Series 4 Seven – unveiled in August of that year.
Things wouldn’t have been quite so gloomy in Munich. BMW was already much further along with its Z1 project, revealing the roadster to the world at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show and garnering as many as 5000 pre-orders before production began the following year. News of a more affordable, lighter and more agile competitor can’t have been entirely welcome, but demand for the new car was strong, with order books inflated by early-bird customers who many suspected were speculators, all hoping to turn a quick buck in a booming market.
Speculative or not, buyers must have been excited to get behind the wheel of the Z1 – so named for the German word for future, zukunft, or the firm’s description of BMW Technik, Zentral Entwicklung, depending on who you ask. The pet project of Dr Ulrich Bez, the Z1 was the first product of the newly formed BMW Technik, a think-tank focused on the emergence of new technologies and materials, and it certainly captured the imagination with its vertically sliding doors that disappeared into the sills at the touch of a button, coupled with advanced multi-link rear suspension comprising two transverse and one longitudinal control arm – the first of its type to be used in a BMW.
The chassis was special, too, and represented a seismic shift from the firm’s mainstream models. A plastic floor was bonded to the galvanised steel monocoque, which was paired with a composite undertray and body panels made from General Electrics’ Xenoy thermoplastic, while the hood cover, bootlid and bonnet were more conventional GRP, courtesy of Seger & Hoffman. Each panel was fixed to the chassis via rubber mountings and torx bolts, which allowed for a degree of movement, and they could be fully removed with the bare car remaining driveable. BMW reckoned the whole process could be achieved in just 40 mins and encouraged punters to buy a set of replacement panels in order to quickly change the colour of the car. In practice, it represented a lost weekend for the amateur mechanic.
In order to offset the high cost of the car’s bodywork, chassis and suspension, the tried-and- tested drivetrain was lifted directly from the E30 3 Series. The bombproof 2.5-litre M20B25 (M62) ‘small six’ came without a catalytic converter and offered 168bhp/171ps, while the five-speed gearbox shared the same ratios, albeit with a lightweight aluminium casing. A strong torque tube mated ’box to differential and added rigidity, with peppy acceleration thanks to a 3.64:1 final drive replacing the longer-legged 3.46:1 of the E30.
Despite BMW’s weight-saving attempts, there’s no escaping the fact that the Z1 is far from a featherweight, tipping the scales at 2844lb – heavier than a 325i E30 – compared to just 2253lb for its Lotus rival. You first get a sense of the roadster’s heft after pressing the button to retract the door, which glides beautifully into a recess in the sill with a mechanical smoothness born of over-engineering – it brings to mind a Dunhill Rollagas lighter or Montblanc pen. The straight-six will be familiar to many BMW drivers and fires eagerly, settling to a muted and relaxed idle. The car can be driven with the doors down owing to the protection afforded by the deep sills, which is a strangely liberating feeling – like the first time you drive a convertible – but you quickly get used to the sensation.
Thanks to the deep-set and supportive sports seats there’s none of the ‘Willys Jeep Fear’ under hard cornering, or any concern that you’re going to end up having to tuck-and-roll.
Like the engine, the five-speed Getrag gearbox is a proven and rugged unit with a precise and positive action, and cycling through the gears is a joy. Encouragement comes with rising revs, and on the back-roads around the South Downs it quickly becomes apparent that Jeff Hewison’s Z1 is tight as a drum. It lacks the turbocharged mania of the Elan’s ‘four’, but there’s a surprising urgency from the larger BMW unit, which in reality is something of a workhorse. Perhaps it’s the six-pot howl that keeps your foot pinned to the accelerator.
One of the Z1’s greatest selling points was its advanced suspension system – in effect serving as a testbed for the upcoming E36 range – and in the perfectly balanced roadster it’s shown off to the fullest. Throw it into a corner and the difference between what you expect and what you get is disarming – like a wacky Heston Blumenthal creation that swings from savoury to sweet. And it really is sweet. Mechanical grip is there in abundance, and even body roll is kept relatively under control. One of the few black eyes among the many feathers in its cap is that, being designed primarily for the German market, the Z1 was only ever configured in left-hand drive, which checks your enthusiasm as the hedgerows close in, the road begins to narrow, and Chelsea tractors on the school run muscle their way over the white dividing lines.
Even stepping hard on the brakes doesn’t upset the clever, Rudolf Müller-designed Z-axle, which operates in such a way as to minimise squat and dive, while also offering complete control over wheel angles, including camber and toe-in. The result is tyres that remain in contact with the road even over rutted surfaces, and a quality of ride and poise that goes some way to disguising the heft of those trick doors and heavyweight sill sections. It certainly impressed Autocar, which said after taking the car around Hockenheim in 1989: ‘Its chassis wields an ability so exceptional that your memory immediately scrambles for the names of cars that corner any better, and, after juggling with Countach, quattro and Esprit, goes blank.’
Of course, those road testers had yet to try Lotus’ latest offering, model number M100, which broke cover in August of that year. Unlike the long-serving Esprit (and the Z1), the Elan was to be front-wheel drive – a first for the Hethel firm – in a massive departure from conventional wisdom. But where other manufacturers feared the looming challenges of torquesteer, engine movement and suspension geometry, Lotus’ Roger Becker saw opportunity. The engineer pioneered what the firm labelled ‘interactive wishbone’ suspension, which used a relatively conventional A-arm arrangement, revolutionised by mounting the suspension components to an aluminium ‘raft’ using tough bushings. The outcome was wonderfully direct steering that was both light and consistent, regardless of speed; tyres that remained in close contact with the road, thanks to an unchanged caster angle; and a notable reduction in road noise and vibrations.
From almost any other manufacturer, the construction of the M100 would have been hailed as revolution – but Lotus had long been a pioneer of performance through light weight. Like the original Elan, the M100 was built around a central backbone chassis, with a separate floorpan that was both riveted and bonded to steel outriggers, with the undertray and inner door panels adding to structural rigidity. As with the Z1, it benefited from advancement in plastics, with Ashland Chemicals contributing a new resin that was injected into nickel-plated, water-heated moulds that cut curing time by half.
Just over 1000 cars per year were escaping the Hethel factory in the late 1980s, so help was needed from a major manufacturer to supply the most financially demanding components. A surprise tie-up was announced not with parent firm GM, but its Japanese partner (and commercial vehicle specialist) Isuzu, which agreed to provide the powertrain. Despite it being shared with such mouthwatering exotica as the dullard Isuzu Gemini, the 1588cc four-cylinder engine was actually a real screamer – particularly in turbocharged form, as fitted to the launch SE and later S2 models (only a handful of naturally aspirated 1.6 models were built). The transversely mounted ‘four’ employed multi-point fuel injection and – after being extensively fettled in Norfolk – produced a very healthy 165bhp, which was comparable to the Z1 and offered a massive advantage over the MX-5’s 116bhp, while the five-speed manual gearbox – also from Isuzu and uprated from the non-turbo variant thanks to a beefier clutch and taller final-drive ratio – proved rugged and well up to handling the Elan’s impressive power output.
It isn’t just the spec sheet that imbues a feeling of sportiness, but also the driving position, which is lower than its German rival and feels more cocoon-like – particularly when the Z1’s doors are lowered. The seats are comfortable and the cabin surprisingly spacious, with plenty of elbow room and enough height to accommodate taller drivers. In many ways, the Elan’s dimensions feel ahead of its time, with a steeply raked windscreen and deep dash bringing to mind much younger machines – not to mention the prodigious width, dwarfing the svelte original Elan in the quest for increased stability.
The M100’s stocky build was a departure from its lightweight predecessor, but it shares the family trait of brilliant handling and an ability to cross country quicker than all of its contemporaries, including the Z1. Despite the pair sharing a terminal velocity of 136mph, the raucous turbocharged engine gets the Elan there a good deal more quickly; 1.4 secs separates the two in the sprint to 60mph, but the Elan feels a sight faster in the real world, covering 50-70mph in top in just 7.7 secs to the Z1’s 13.2. The outright pace of the Lotus is truly surprising, with the turbo chiming in at 4000rpm and giving a kick up the backside comparable with a can of Popeye’s spinach, with barely discernible torquesteer.
Once on the move, progress is eye-opening, particularly when straights give way to twisting country lanes and you’re able to really exploit that trick front suspension. Unlike the more conventional rear-drive layout of the BMW, the front-drive Elan lets you push harder into bends, getting ever closer to the limits of grip. When you do get there predictable understeer awaits – comfortable ground for buyers who grew up with hot hatches such as the Golf and 205 – as long as you don’t back off sharply mid-corner, when the M100 has been known to bite back.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that engineers at Lotus – more accustomed to knocking up cars on a shoestring budget – managed to make the Elan so much more affordable than the Z1. Hethel’s offering went on sale in the UK with a price-tag of £19,850, considerably more palatable – at least to those who intended to drive their cars – than the £37,728 it took to get behind the wheel of the BMW. The gulf increased as the years rolled on, and today the price difference between Elan and Z1 is difficult to ignore; as in period, cost will be the deciding factor for many.
Ultimately, the Elan best fulfils its potential as a driver’s car, performing with all the accomplishment of a modern hot hatch minus the roof.
It’s a more focused machine with a greater sense of purpose: typical Lotus. The Z1, meanwhile, surely ranks as a missed opportunity. Only built for two years and never given the power to make the most of a beautifully balanced chassis, it was more engineering exercise than Ultimate Driving Machine. But on a sunny afternoon, with the doors down and the wind in your hair, you couldn’t wish to be anywhere else.
Thanks to Club Lotus (www.clublotus.co.uk); the BMW Car Club Great Britain (bmwcarclubgb.uk) and Z1 model rep Jamal Blanc
THE OWNER Paul Fuller
Fuller has been a long-time fan of his chosen marque: “When I was in my teens, I had a sticker on my school briefcase that said, ‘Lotus… exclusivity comes as standard.’ It must have made an impression because I still have the case, complete with sticker!
“I dreamt of owning a Lotus ever since and in 2010, after looking at several examples, I finally took the plunge and bought my Elan. I have been really pleased with the M100. It performs well on country roads, motorways and on track, and even though it’s more than 20 years old it still starts at the first turn of the key.
“Aside from routine maintenance, in the eight years that I’ve owned the Elan I’ve changed little more than a set of tyres, a brake-light bulb and a battery – it must be one of the most reliable cars that I’ve ever had. Like any hand-built car it has its quirks, of course: the roof seals aren’t great – they can perish and cause leaks, and a new hood and rubbers has been my biggest outlay so far. That said, I rarely drive the Lotus anywhere with the roof up.
“The car is a real head-turner and, though some critics think it’s too wide, I love the looks and am very proud to own it. There are plenty of helpful clubs and forums – two of the best being Club Lotus and Lotus Elan Central – and if you’re tempted to buy, they’re a great place to start.”
THE OWNER Jeff Hewison
Z1 fan Hewison was turned onto the charms of BMW’s techno wonder long before he became an owner. “I first saw a Z1 at an auction in 2001,” he says. “I was watching these classics go through the sale when a red Z1 appeared; I’d never heard of them, but it was love at first sight. I promised myself that if I could ever afford one, I’d buy it.” Five years passed before Hewison saw a flash of red while driving past a local BMW garage: “It wasn’t just a Z1, but the very car that I’d seen at the auction. On the test drive the straight-six won me over, and I promised my other half I’d keep it for 10 years. That was 12 years ago now – I just can’t bring myself to let it go.
“It’s a fun car and that’s what I use it for: local shows, tours and just to get out and drive. The main events I visit are the London Classic Car Show, Silverstone Classic and Thatcham Classic. I do about 800 miles per year: it’s a masterpiece of engineering, so responsive and positive.
“You get a few rattles on country lanes, and with them the danger of cracking the panels. The only damage in my ownership was when I reversed into my garage, taking out the rear bumper. It’s one of the parts that is no longer available, but I knew a man who could piece it back together – the paintwork was done at BMW and cost £1200. “Most parts are still readily available and it’s now appreciating: a decent one is £30k-plus.”
TECHNICAL DATA FILE SPECIFICATIONS BMW Z1 E30
Sold/number built 1988-’1991/8000
Construction Zinc-coated steel floorpan, welded inner body structure, Xenoy front and rear side panels
Engine iron-block, alloy-head, sohc 2494cc M20B25 straight-six, Bosch Motronic fuel injection
Max power 168bhp @ 5800rpm / DIN nett
Max torque 164lb ft @ 4300rpm / DIN nett
Transmission five-speed manual, RWD
Suspension independent, at front by MacPherson struts rear single longitudinal arm, double transverse arms, coil springs telescopic dampers; anti-roll bar f/r
Steering rack and pinion, with speed-variable power assistance
Brakes 10 ¼ in (260mm) ventilated front, 11 ¼ in (285mm) solid rear discs, with servo and anti-lock
Length 12ft 10 ½ in (3925mm)
Width 5ft 6 ½ in (1690mm)
Height 4ft 2in (1277mm)
Wheelbase 8ft ½ in (2450mm)
Weight 2844lb (1290kg)
0-60mph 7.9 secs
Top speed 136mph
Mpg 28
Price new (1988 UK) £37,728
Now (2018 UK) £30-50,000
TECHNICAL DATA FILE SPECIFICATIONS LOTUS ELAN S2 (M100)
Sold/number built 1994-’1995/800 (plus 3855 1.6 and SE models from 1989-’1992)
Construction steel backbone chassis, composite floorpan and glassfibre body panels
Engine iron-block, alloy-head, dohc, 16-valve 1588cc ‘four,’ with turbocharger and electronic fuel injection
Max power 165bhp @ 6600rpm / DIN nett
Max torque 148lb ft @ 4200rpm / DIN nett
Transmission five-speed manual, FWD
Suspension independent, at front by double wishbones rear wide-based lower wishbones, upper transverse links; coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar f/r
Steering power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes 10in (256mm) ventilated front, 9 ¼ in (236mm) solid rear discs, with servo and anti-lock
Length 12ft 6in (3803mm)
Width 6ft 2in (1885mm)
Height 4ft ½ in (1230mm)
Wheelbase 7ft 4 ½ in (2250mm)
Weight 2253lb (1023kg)
0-60mph 6.5 secs
Top speed 136mph
Mpg 20
Price new (1994 UK) £19,850
Now (2018 UK) £5-15,000
‘Never given the power to fully take advantage of its beautifully balanced chassis, the Z1 surely ranks as an opportunity missed’
‘The pace of the Elan is truly surprising, the turbo chiming in at 4000rpm giving a kick comparable with a can of Popeye’s spinach’
Clockwise, from main: only open doors interrupt the Z1’s wedge profile; slender composite seats save weight; superbly nimble chassis; button operates sliding door; ‘six’ is canted over for a low bonnet line.
Clockwise, from main: for a front-drive car, the Elan’s grip and balance are superb; cabin was improved for S2, but is still a little dull; wide tail; 800 S2s were built by new Lotus owner Romano Artioli; potent turbo ‘four’.
