BMW surprised Italian enthusiasts at the annual Concorsco d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este by unveiling a new coupe designed in partnership with Italian coachbuilder Zagato.
The partnership between BMW and Zagato was obvious – the third generation Italian design house’s chief designer Norihiko Harada is a close friend of BMW’s styling boss Adrian van Hooydonk.
BMW says the Zagato Coupe is a one-off but the car shown on the shores of Lake Como looked production-ready – in fact it has already undergone rigorous high-speed testing on BMW’s own test track.
The gorgeous hand-crafted body is all aluminium and boasts not only advanced aerodynamics but complies with regulatory crash standards. And there are cues to BMW’s current Z4 with a set-back glasshouse, long bonnet and precise lines.
Of course the wide, low frontal area features BMW’s hallmark twin circular lights and kidney grille – with a Zagato twist in the form of tiny ‘Z’ logos. Air intakes too adopt the ‘Z’ motif.
Of course the stunning curved ‘double-bubble’ roofline and athletic rear-end with large glass surfaces are clearly Zagato influences. The BMW Zagato Coupe is painted in six coats of a new red hue called ‘Rosso Vivace’ and rides on beautiful 19-inch alloy wheels.
Inside is a blend of stunning dark grey leather offset by red stitching (with the Zagato ‘Z’ prominently embroidered in the seats). Exclusive accessories include a travel bag by Zagato which follows the lines of the double-bubble roof.
Having made its debut in Villa d’Este let’s hope BMW Australia can convince Head Office to send the BMW Zagato Coupe to this year’s Australian International Motor Show.
