1997 - Espace Sbarro

Minotaur - 2000

The two-seater sports car has always been the stuff of dreams. For Franco Sbarro, asking his students to create a roadster based on a BMW was a motivating way to learn. And so the Minotaur roadster was born.

Plunging front end, suggestive BMW grille, twin headlamps: all the BMW hallmarks (photo by André Rityinger).

A large sedan base

The Minotaur is based on a BMW 750i. All that remains of the large, high-end sedan is the chassis, which has been shortened, and the twelve-cylinder V-twin engine. The latter remains unchanged, developing 326 hp.  It is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension has been strengthened.
Solid rear end with dual exhaust outlets. The trunk cannot be opened from the outside.

BMW style?

It was important for the roadster to be recognized as a BMW. This was no easy task, especially as the traditional BMW grille had disappeared. However, the twin headlamps were one of the defining features of BMWs of the time. The hood, with its large boss extending over the plunging front, suggests power. The sloping, relatively small windshield reinforces this impression. The rear is rather massive, with the top of the trunk forming a sort of integrated spoiler. The wheels are 18" Antera. The twin tailpipes are central.

A red interior that contrasts with the very dark body color.
The red interior contrasts with the dark purple exterior. Strictly a two-seater, there is space for small items of luggage behind the seats. The trunk is only accessible from the inside. The driver-facing center console is typical of BMWs.

According to Franco Sbarro's 2000 Espace Sbarro catalog, Chris Bangle, BMW's head of design at the time, "expressed a positive opinion, recognizing it as a BMW".
 In brief
1- Roadster based on BMW 750i
2- 326 hp V12 engine
3- Pure sports car
  • BMW 750i twelve-cylinder engine
  • Displacement: 5379 cm3
  • 326 horsepower
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • 5-speed manual gearbox
  • width 1.95 m, height 1.20 m
  • Weight approx. 1600 kg