If you ask BMW M3 nerds when the last "real" M3 was, they'll usually land somewhere between the S54-powered E46 M3 and the S65-powered E9X M3. Both engines were the star of the show in their respective cars, with each revving to the moon and making more than enough power for the car it lived in. When Oletha set out to build its vision of the ultimate BMW Z8 coupe, we're sure both these engines were in contention.
As we know now, Smit Vehicle Engineering used the V8 in the original Oletha Coupe. However, Smit is circling back, announcing that it will also make an S54-powered Oletha Coupe, set to debut at the 2022 Audrain Newport Concours this weekend.
We'll save you the scrolling. The S54 is hand-built by Smit's team, bored to 3.4 liters and producing 400 hp to the rear wheels. On top of that, it utilizes a CSL-style carbon fiber intake manifold and solid rocker arms. The result is, according to Smit, a "motorsport induction noise" that "dominates the aural experience."
With that out of the way, let's discuss the rest of the car. That fantastic S54 motor is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (what else) and comes in at less than 3,000 lbs. SVE says this should make it roughly 100 lbs less than the same V8 Oletha.
Like the V8, the S54 car keeps a 50:50 weight distribution thanks to heavy use of carbon fiber and placement of the motor. You'll note the bulk of the engine is behind the front axle. All of the car's body panels are carbon fiber as well, which helps.
Visually, the only thing to differentiate the two is a new hood design for the S54 cars. Presumably, the Smit brothers didn't need the extra room out under the hood to accommodate the V8's bulging intake manifold and were able to smooth the hood as a result.
Smit will offer different motor configurations for both the I6 and V8 cars. Pricing, of course, is yet to be announced. If you have to ask how much the carbon-bodied one-off sports car is, you probably couldn't write the check. At least the rest of us get to look at it.
Both cars will be present at the Audrain Newport Concours. The S54 Oletha will be on display this week, Thursday-Sunday in the Concours Village, with the V8 car shown at 'The Gathering' at Rough Point Museum on Friday from 11 am - 5 pm.