Since the BMW Z3 was launched more than 25 years ago – its first official appearance was in 1995 – the firm has what we might consider the most individual of its entire catalogue: the BMW Z3 Coupe and the BMW Z4 Coupe. Two versions with the shooting-brake type body – in the USA they call it the Klohshoe of German roadsters, the clown shoe, though both from the first generation. An experiment was done by Zagato in 2012, the BMW Zagato Coupé presented at the celebration of the famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, but it never reached production.
The latest generations of the BMW Z4 had a folding metal roof, and perhaps for this reason they did not receive the corresponding coupe version. A pity really, because they are one of those cars that stand out the most for their design and both the Z3 and Z4 have a huge following.
Now we can dream of seeing a new BMW shooting-brake again, because once again, on the occasion of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Zagato and BMW have unveiled, as in 2012, the Z4 A new coupé based on the . Although it’s not called the Z4 Coupé nor does the designer’s name appear anywhere, for the occasion, it’s called the BMW Concept Touring Coupé and is more shooting-brake than previous iterations. However, it is speculated that it will not reach production, as was the case with the 2012 Zagato Coupé.
According to Domgoj Duč, BMW Design Director, the Concept Touring Coupé celebrates the original driving pleasure, while the brand itself confirms that its proportions and its name are reminiscent of the BMW 328 Touring Coupé, the 1940 Mille Miglia champion.
“The BMW Concept Touring Coupé celebrates the original driving pleasure. Such a highly emotional vehicle shows that passion for everything that driving pleasure brings has been essential through the ages and will remain so in the future”, Domagoj Duček , BMW Design Director
Like any shooting-brake—a real shooting-brake, not a family car with four side doors and a very tall rear—, it boasts a very long nose and a very set back cabin, while the roofline rises to the rear. The rear end of the car is practically parallel to the ground, which we can see as a two-door family car with a very sporty nature. A car concept that originated in the United Kingdom and the roots of this type of car date back to 1890, although the shooting-brake of that time has little to do with the present.
With regards to the BMW Concept Touring Coupé, we can count very few that haven’t been seen in the pictures. The German firm, in its statement, talks a lot about the craftsmanship used in its production and many details such as the color of the bodywork, which is said to be sparkling, made especially for this car and which includes There are gray-brown tones and studded blue glass clusters, or, like its 20 and 21-inch wheels—front and rear respectively—, leather straps braided to seat skirts or Italian Poltrona Frau leather upholstery.
BMW hasn’t offered much data on the technical section, beyond commenting that it has an inline six-cylinder engine. Presumably it’s the B58, the same engine in the BMW Z4 M40i with 340 CV – and the same one that mounts the Toyota GR Supra.
