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BMW Z4 3.0i ‘03
(Can be purchased from Brand Central / Used Cars)

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An elegant convertible hides an inline-6 engine under its elongated bonnet.

At the 2002 Paris Motor Show, the Z4 debuted as a convertible sportscar, replacing the Z3. Initially the engine lineup included a 2.5 L and 3 L inline-6, a step up in class in comparison to the Z3 which started out with only a 4- cylinder engine. The styling strongly reflected the unique style of Chris Bangle, the chief designer of BMW. The flowing lines and the z-shaped press line in front of the doors are prominent features that identify the car. As the chassis and body were a new development from the platform level, optimum front/rear weight distribution was achieved, at 50.3 to 49.7 respectively. It is also amazing that in comparison to the Z3, twisting rigidity is three times as high, while the weight is 25 kg lighter. The basic format of the suspension – utilizing struts in the front and multi-links in the rear – is inherited from the 3 series at the time (E46), and it is said that this was because testing was already completed in this regard and it would facilitate smoother development of the model. No corners were cut in featuring the latest technologies from the company research labs, including BMW’s first electric power steering, DTC – a supplementary feature of the traction control – and DDC, which changes the steering feel and throttle relationship in sports mode and normal driving. The transmission was made available in MT, AT, and a semi-AT called the SMG. In the same manner as the Z3, it is manufactured at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, United States. The motorsport competition version of this model is active in several races such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog Type 411 ’62
(Can be purchased from Legend Cars)

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The byword for multipurpose high mobility vehicles.

The Unimog is a commercial truck produced and sold by Daimler Truck. With its ladder frame construction and robust all-wheel drive system, the Unimog became a popular choice across a wide range of fields such as agriculture, slow ploughing, cleaning, high altitude work, disaster response, logistics, railways, airports, mining, construction, and many others. Its long history and performance record cemented its reputation as the go-to multipurpose truck. The history of the Unimog began in 1945, when the former head of Daimler-Benz aircraft engine production, Albert Friedrich, began drawing up plans for a ‘universally applicable motorised machine for agriculture’. Even at this early stage, it was already being designed as a multi-purpose vehicle, able to change between a number of different tasks by simply changing the attachments. This rational and economical concept lead to over 70 years of support from users. Full-scale production started in 1948. It was originally built by machine tool manufacturer Boehringer, but all production moved over to Daimler-Benz in 1950 where it was modified for mass-production. In 1953, the new 401/402 series core models arrived. The 411 series was the next model after, released in 1956. It was a developmental upgrade featuring a more powerful engine and a reinforced chassis. The line-up featured three different wheelbases and several body types for a total of 12 different models which could be further modified to fit the purpose of use through utilizing various attachments.

Peugeot 205 GTI ‘88
(Can be purchased from Used Cars)

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A masterpiece hot hatch from France that became a rally legend.

In 1983, after being in production for over 15 years, the Peugeot 104 handed over the compact hatchback position in the line-up to the new 205 model. The body of the 205, with its transverse engine, was designed by Peugeot’s in-house design team and soon became a best seller thanks to its modern looks and comfortable interior. The story of the 205 doesn’t end there though. At the debut of the 205, Peugeot also announced the 205 Turbo 16 for competition in the World Rally Championship’s Group B category which was running at the time. Peugeot concluded that they also needed a sports-grade model to embody the prowess of the 205 Turbo 16. This led them to the creation of a hot hatch known as the 205 GTI. The greatest attraction of the 205 GTI is its high-powered engine. Though just 3.7 m long and weighing 900 kg, this compact car features a high-revving 1.6L SOHC engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. In 1986, the engine displacement was further increased from 1.6L to 1.9L to produce 128.2 BHP. It also features an excellent suspension setup with struts on the front wheels and trailing arms on the rear wheels. On winding roads, it displays a high level of performance that rivals even the ‘king’ of hot hatches, the Golf GTI.