BMW has made a grand entrance at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este with a Z4 based coupe called the Concept Touring Coupé. If you think you’re seeing echoes of the Z3 Coupe you’re right. This is a shooting brake in the tradition of the “Clown Shoe”, one of the more popular cars of all time with enthusiasts.

BMW Design has reimagined the conventional body shape of an elegant sports car, presenting a shooting brake concept that exudes sophistication more than extreme performance. Inside, the opulent ambiance is elevated by meticulously crafted leather surfaces sourced from the renowned Italian manufacturer, Poltrona Frau. The compartment located behind the seats offers ample space for storing luggage during impromptu trips, with the luggage itself exclusively handcrafted at the prestigious Schedoni leather workshop in Modena. Consider this elevated Clown Shoe then.

Its world premiere at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023 situates the vehicle within a historical context of rare concepts and classics. This extraordinary car will be unveiled in Cernobbio, Italy, serving as a tribute to the timeless fascination of the automobile

“The BMW Concept Touring Coupé celebrates the original Sheer Driving Pleasure. A highly emotional vehicle like this shows that the passion for everything that goes into driving pleasure has been essential through the ages and will be for the future.”

Domagoj Dukec, head of BMW Design

The handcrafted BMW Concept Touring Coupé seamlessly merges a body concept rooted in tradition with the technology of a purist modern-day sports car. Its proportions and nomenclature pay homage to the victorious BMW 328 Touring Coupé that triumphed in the 1940 Mille Miglia endurance race. Embracing the functionality of the shooting-brake concept, reminiscent of the BMW 02 Series models from the early 1970s, the vehicle differentiates itself from sedans with the inclusion of “Touring” in its name. Inspired by the model inscription of its historic predecessor, the signets adorning the rear and interior of this distinctive car exude a captivating style. Powering the BMW Concept Touring Coupé is the brand’s iconic six-cylinder in-line engine, delivering performance characteristics and refinement that solidify its status as a symbol of unadulterated Sheer Driving Pleasure.

Exterior Design: Captivating Proportions and Exquisite Details

From a side perspective there’s a clear resemblance to the Z3 Coupe albeit with a larger front overhang (damn those pedestrian safety standards). The long bonnet, streamlined roof contours, and powerful rear section come together to create a distinct two-box design. Meanwhile, the elongated side window, featuring the iconic Hofmeister kink, along with flared rear wheel arches, accentuate the classic shooting brakes profile.

Crafted exclusively for the BMW Concept Touring Coupé, the Sparkling Lario exterior paint exhibits striking allure. With embedded flakes of blue glass, its grey-brown hues produce a unique sense of depth. The enchanting effect is complemented by silver-bronze accents and a specially designed BMW kidney grille adorned with longitudinal bars. Continuing these color accents, the exclusive light-alloy wheels, measuring 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear axle, provide a logical continuation of these colour accents in the 20-spoke radial design. The intricate implementation and discreet gold-coloured surfaces underline the vehicle’s elegant sporty character.

Interior design: Craftsmanship at the highest level.

The interior boasts an exclusive bi-color option, courtesy of the esteemed Italian leather workshop, Poltrona Frau, dividing the space horizontally into two distinct color segments. The upper section, featuring a dark brown tone, fosters concentration during driving, while the lower section envelops occupants in a light saddle brown shade, offering comfort and warmth.

BMW has created precise perforations and intricately braided leather straps adorning the seat valences going well above what we’ve seen in any production car.

The same aesthetic extends to the luggage exclusively designed for the BMW Concept Touring Coupé by the renowned Schedoni leather workshop in Modena. The custom-made set comprises two spacious weekender bags, a smaller counterpart, and a garment bag—each perfectly coordinated with the vehicle. Every element showcases impeccable workmanship, reflecting a commitment to unparalleled excellence.

BMW has made no overtones of producing this one-off shooting brake but here’s to hoping.