From 2010 to 2016, BMW’s global GT3 contender was the Z4, which achieved significant victories including a win at the 2015 24 Hours of Spa. This powerful machine was equipped with a 515 horsepower M3-sourced V8 engine. Despite the success of the Z4 GT3, BMW enthusiasts often wondered why there wasn’t a road-legal version of the car. Fortunately, a Z4 GT3 with a different engine can now be driven on public roads.

This modified Z4, showcased at the SEMA event, was built from the ground up. The body was sourced from Lithuania and underwent extensive repairs and refitting due to previous damage. However, the most fascinating aspect is what lies under the hood, or rather, the lack thereof.

In the video displayed above, you can see that the Z4 has no hood. Instead, it features a 4.0-liter V8 engine, which has been replaced with a supercharged Mercedes V12 engine. The creator of the project admitted to deliberately aiming to provoke both Mercedes and BMW enthusiasts with this unconventional choice. Surprisingly, fitting the enormous V12 engine did not require any modifications to the chassis, with only a few tubes in the engine bay needing to be repositioned. However, the exhaust manifolds required extensive work.

While the engine starts and runs, the car has not yet been tested in action. The interior of the Z4 GT3 resembles that of a race car, complete with a roll cage, removable steering wheel, and bucket race seats. Despite its racing aesthetics, it also features a fully upholstered dashboard, air conditioning, and power steering to ensure driver comfort during long hours behind the wheel.