BMW Concept Touring Coupe (2023)
The BMW Concept Touring Coupé, revealed at the 2023 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, is a hand-built, one-off shooting brake that blends BMW’s heritage design with modern engineering. Evoking memories of iconic models like the Z3 Coupé and the 328 Touring Coupé from the 1940s, the Touring Coupé is a celebration of timeless proportions, coachbuilding tradition, and driving purity. Though not intended for production, it reignited public interest in compact, elegant grand tourers built with artisanal attention to detail.
History
The Concept Touring Coupé was introduced as a design study — not to preview a future production model, but to showcase BMW’s ability to blend classic forms with modern platforms. Unveiled at Lake Como in Italy during the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the car stood out not for technological gimmicks but for its proportions, craftsmanship, and emotional design language.
Built entirely by hand, the concept is based on the BMW Z4 M40i, using its chassis, engine, and rear-wheel-drive layout. However, everything from the A-pillar back was redesigned to create a sleek, two-door shooting brake with a flowing roofline and compact rear deck — a format rarely seen in modern BMWs.
The project drew on BMW’s design legacy, particularly the 1940 328 Touring Coupé, which famously won its class at the Mille Miglia, and the cult-following Z3 M Coupé of the late 1990s, nicknamed the “clown shoe” for its quirky profile. The Concept Touring Coupé bridges these eras with a cleaner, more refined interpretation.
Design Features
The Touring Coupé is defined by its long hood, low roofline, and sloping rear hatch — all key ingredients of a classic shooting brake. The car features frameless doors, a wide stance, and custom details throughout. The kidney grille is subtly downsized compared to current BMW production models, emphasizing horizontal lines and simplicity.
The body is painted in an exclusive color called “Sparkling Lario”, a shimmering bronze-silver metallic hue created specifically for the concept. It’s complemented by silver-bronze accents and 20-spoke alloy wheels developed by BMW’s heritage division. The rear features slim, horizontal LED taillights and a minimalist diffuser integrated with dual exhausts.
Inside, the cabin is fully bespoke. BMW collaborated with Italian leather atelier Poltrona Frau to upholster the interior in two-tone saddle brown leather with intricate stitching. The luggage compartment is trimmed in leather and fitted with a custom Schedoni luggage set, reinforcing the grand touring theme. Though based on the Z4’s cockpit, the Touring Coupé’s interior exudes a level of refinement and craft absent from series production.
Specs
While the Concept Touring Coupé was not built to showcase performance innovation, it is fully functional and based on the BMW Z4 M40i, meaning it shares the mechanical architecture of that model.
Powertrain and chassis include:
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3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine (B58)
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382 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque
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8-speed automatic transmission
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Rear-wheel drive layout
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Electronically controlled M Sport differential
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Adaptive M suspension
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0–100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds (estimated, based on Z4 M40i)
BMW made no specific claims about performance targets, as the focus was on form and emotional engagement, not lap times. Nonetheless, the platform is capable, refined, and praised for its smooth power delivery and balanced handling.
Production Status
The BMW Concept Touring Coupé is officially a one-off and will not enter production, according to BMW. However, it sparked considerable interest from enthusiasts and collectors alike, leading to speculation that limited production could be possible via coachbuilding or bespoke commission.
The car’s warm reception — both for its design and nostalgic appeal — highlighted an appetite for low-volume, emotionally driven vehicles that prioritize aesthetics and craft over mass-market utility. While BMW has not announced any follow-up, the Touring Coupé serves as a reminder of the brand’s design heritage and its willingness to indulge in non-commercial design exercises with deep cultural resonance.
It also reaffirms BMW’s interest in reviving forgotten formats, like the shooting brake, within a modern context. Even if it remains a one-off, the Concept Touring Coupé will likely influence future limited-edition projects and inspire independent builders.
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