Skip advert
Advertisement

The Ares Wami Lalique Spyder is a 20-year-old BMW made to look like a Maserati

Just 12 Wami Lalique Spyders will be built, each based on an E85-generation BMW Z4 chassis with a mishmash of ‘50s design cues

As the EV era approaches, more specialist brands are tapping into the appetite for raw, analogue driving experiences that evoke sports cars from years gone by. Some, such as Alfaholics or the suitably named Analogue Automotive, put their efforts into re-engineering past icons to be better-than-new. Italian coachbuilder Ares Modena is taking a slightly different approach with this: the Wami Lalique Spyder. And yes, that is its actual name.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Wami Lalique is essentially a restyled E85-generation BMW Z4 – a car that turns 20 years old this year and wasn’t exactly renowned for world-beating dynamics at launch. To build the Wami Lalique, Ares layers a new body onto the Z4’s aluminium structure, with a design that draws from the 1953 Maserati A6GCS Frua Spider while channelling ‘the beautiful simplicity of cars like the Ferrari 250 GT California’, according to the firm. We’ll let you be the judge of that. 

Despite the retro appearance, the bodywork is made from carbonfibre, with a choice of two exterior paint colours – Amalfi Red or Mediterranean Light Blue. Chrome exhaust tips, bumper overriders and 18-inch wire wheels have been fitted in keeping with the ‘50s design theme. 

The Wami Lalique’s power figures are also somewhat out of date, with a BMW 3-litre straight-six generating the same 228bhp and 221lb ft of torque as the Z4 3.0i from two decades ago. This is connected to a six-speed automatic gearbox – presumably the ZF torque converter unit used in the base car. 

The cabin architecture and steering wheel will also be familiar to Z4 owners, despite Ares’ efforts to create a more glamorous driving environment with real wood, carbonfibre and Italian leather trim.

Handcrafted crystals decorate the headrests and dashboard, with an Android Auto- and Apple CarPlay-enabled infotainment unit replacing the original BMW system. 

Just 12 Wami Lalique’s will be built, and given its bespoke carbon body and extreme rarity, expect it to cost many times more than the £5000 it costs to buy a Z4 3.0i these days.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best roadsters 2025 – serious alfresco driving machines
Best Roadsters 2025
Best cars

Best roadsters 2025 – serious alfresco driving machines

The best roadsters offer big thrills with minimal compromises – these are evo’s favourites from past and present
7 Apr 2025
Ferrari 296 GTS 2025 review – V6 berlinetta goes roofless to fight the McLaren 750S Spider
Ferrari 296 GTS
Reviews

Ferrari 296 GTS 2025 review – V6 berlinetta goes roofless to fight the McLaren 750S Spider

Ferrari’s 296 GTS is an 819bhp open-air thrill ride, competing against McLaren's latest and greatest V8 Spider
31 Mar 2025
Porsche 718 Boxster review – the benchmark convertible sports car
Porsche 718 Boxster
In-depth reviews

Porsche 718 Boxster review – the benchmark convertible sports car

The petrol-engined Boxster isn't long for this world, but it still represents the definitive open-top sports car experience
27 Mar 2025
Bentley Continental GTC Speed 2025 review – huge power, huge weight, huge price
Bentley Continental GTC Speed front
Reviews

Bentley Continental GTC Speed 2025 review – huge power, huge weight, huge price

Bentley's Continental GTC Speed is a 2639kg, 771bhp monster, that's awe-inspiring if not lovable for its capability
26 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Manthey front
Reviews

Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2025 review – the ultimate Nürburgring toy

Did the 992 GT3 RS need to be made more extreme? Posssibly not. We're glad Manthey Racing has done it, though.
28 Apr 2025