by BMW Z/Z Concept: A Glimpse of the Future from a Mercedes Designer
Filipino designer Vinny Camacho, who worked at Mercedes-Benz for over 27 years, has created his own vision of a roadster from BMW. This concept, though far from what we are used to seeing from the Bavarian brand, combines the simplicity of old open-top race cars with modern technologies.
Modular Design and Three Modes
The car, known as the Z/Z, is designed as a modular electric vehicle equally suitable for both public roads and race tracks. Camacho started working on the concept from the front, using BMW’s iconic kidney grilles as the foundation for the rest of the car.
Just like the grilles, which have a noticeable gap between them, Camacho’s car is split into two halves. It can be used in Mono mode, where only the driver’s seat is fixed in place and a hatch on the body opens, making it somewhat reminiscent of the Ferrari Monza SP1. In Duo mode, the passenger seat extends. When parked, the Z/Z can be switched to Sleep mode, where both seats are hidden under the body.
Simplicity and Style
Many modern BMWs have overly complex designs, but this is not the case with this concept. Since the car is envisioned with an electric powertrain, it can have a smooth body that flows continuously from the front to the rear. This is quite mesmerizing, as are the fully exposed wheels.
The interior is a mix of old and new. Plenty of analog controls are placed around the perimeter, including on the two-spoke steering wheel upholstered in bright blue leather. Passengers would have to wear intricate helmets with their own built-in display showing important vehicle parameters.
Thank you to Vinny Camacho for sharing his work with us!
This concept demonstrates how an experienced designer from a different school can take a fresh look at familiar forms. The idea of modularity and hiding the seats under the body adds practicality to the pure design, while the combination of analog elements and high-tech helmets creates an interesting contrast between the past and the future. Although BMW is unlikely to produce such a car, it is an excellent example of creative thinking and the search for new forms for electric vehicles.
