Oletha Who? It's a modern-day BMW Z8

It has a V8 engine and six-speed manual

Matthew Guy

Sep 03, 2021 • September 3, 2021 • 1 minute read • Join the conversation

Photo by Oletha

Have a hankering for a modern take on the too-cool BMW Z8 convertible from yesteryear? Then an outfit called Smit Vehicle Engineering has an option for you.

Called the Oletha, it is said to preserve the foundations of German engineering and precision while infusing American ingenuity and passion. All that marketing speak sounds great, as does the slinky body work, but what’s under the hood?

According to the bumf, a naturally aspirated, 4.4L V8 resides between those front fenders, making over 450 horsepower and screaming its way to a 8,500 rpm redline. There’s a mechanical limited-slip diff out back which should play very well with the six-speed manual gearbox.

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Photo by Oletha
Photo by Oletha
Photo by Oletha

Smit Vehicle Engineering doesn’t specify what exactly is under the Oletha’s skin. But, as the crew at Motor1 points out, there are plenty of cues which point to this car being based on a Z4 and not an OG Z8. This makes a dose of sense, since the latter is far more difficult to come by than the more heavily produced Z4.

Speaking of, this creation is said to make extensive use of 3D printed metallics and composites, plus body panels hewn from carbon fibre composite. Curb weight is apparently just 3,090 pounds, a good 400 pounds south of a factory Z8.

Oletha is is described as a “love letter to the BMW of our childhoods.” If you grew up on (or simply enjoyed) Brosnan-era 007 films, there’s more than a hint of truth to that remark.