Miura X8: the Brazilian coupé that talked to its driver

The Miura X8 was a limited-production sports coupé built by Miura in Porto Alegre, Brazil, between 1987 and 1990. It was shown at the Brasil Transpo 87 exhibition with a body unlike anything else the marque had made, and it became known for its electronics: a voice synthesizer, a light-sensitive headlamp switch and a rhythmic bargraph between the front indicators.

Miura X8 at a glance

The X8 is described on a page only in the Portuguese Wikipedia; this article is based on one source.

History of the Miura X8

A different body

The X8 marked the history of the marque by wearing a body unlike the other Miura models. It had a new front end, a wraparound rear window, a boot lid with an integrated spoiler and rear lights taken from the Volkswagen Gol. The interior had electrically adjustable seats and mirrors with a light sensor and automatic dimming to prevent glare. Few units were produced.

Voice, light and neon

On the first cars, built for 1987 and 1988, the engine and gearbox were the AP-1800 unit from the Volkswagen Santana; later cars moved to the AP-2000. The earliest X8s were Targa types, semi-convertible, followed by cars with a large or small glass sunroof of the Karmann Ghia–Webasto pattern in fibreglass. The X8 was the first Miura with a rhythmic “Bargraph” light bar between the front indicators, driven by the trip computer and pulsing in time with the synthesized voice. A 13-function microprocessor delivered spoken warnings such as “Fasten your seat belt”, “Refuel the tank”, “Release the handbrake”, “Check the engine temperature”, “Check the oil pressure”, “Remove the ignition key” and “ATTENTION, X8 ACTIVATED!” The car switched its lights on automatically through a photocell, and blue neon lamps under purple acrylic covers sat in the crease below the rear lights.

Turbo and equipment

Early X8s could be ordered with a turbocharger, in which case an “Ishi Turbo” boost gauge was mounted on the steering column. The steering wheel was unique to the model with a “Miura X8” emblem; some X8 Targa and “Teto grande” cars used a two- or three-spoke Walrod SP-2 wheel. Every car carried a red reflective acrylic plate reading “MIURA” between the rear lights. From 1989 the interior mirror could be photochromic, changing between day and night settings. The doors had no window frames, the boot opened with a key at first and electrically later, and the equipment list included air conditioning, electric windows, remote-control door locking, leather seats, a Motorádio cassette player and a Tojo equalizer.

Design and features

• Voice computer: a 13-function microprocessor gave spoken warnings about belts, fuel, handbrake, temperature and oil pressure.
• Bargraph: the first Miura with a rhythmic light bar between the front indicators, pulsing with the synthesized voice.
• Photocell headlamps: the lights came on automatically in low light.
• Optional turbo: an Ishikawajima turbocharger with intercooler, with an “Ishi Turbo” gauge on the steering column.
• Body: wraparound rear glass, an integrated boot-lid spoiler and Volkswagen Gol tail lights.

Miura X8 versions

• X8 (1987–88): AP-1800 Santana engine, early cars with Targa semi-convertible bodies.
• X8 with sunroof: large or small fibreglass roof of the Karmann Ghia–Webasto pattern.
• AP-2000 cars: later production with the 1,984 cc engine, 112 cv on alcohol.
• Turbo: optional turbocharged version with intercooler.
• 1989 specification: photochromic interior mirror available as an option.

The X8 sat above the Saga and was followed by the more rounded Top Sport. More Brazilian sports cars are in the Miura collection.

Sources

• Miura X8, Portuguese Wikipedia: production, design, equipment, specifications