Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for a glimpse into automotive history as BMW takes us on a nostalgic ride with the world premiere of the BMW Concept Touring Coupé at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023. This closed two-seater beauty, developed for one-off production, is a living tribute to the timeless charm of classic BMWs - an embodiment of freedom on four wheels and the thrill of traveling together.
BMW Design has masterfully reimagined the classic sports car body shape, giving birth to a shooting brake concept that's bound to turn heads. The interior is a luxurious haven, adorned with impeccably crafted leather surfaces courtesy of Italian manufacturer Poltrona Frau. Need room for your spontaneous getaway essentials? Fear not, as there's ample space behind the seats for your luggage, and even the luggage itself is custom-made at the prestigious Schedoni leather workshop in Modena.
Now, what truly sets this unique model apart is its homage to the enduring allure of the automobile. Set against a backdrop of classic automotive marvels, the BMW Concept Touring Coupé stands proudly in Cernobbio, Italy, showcasing the undying passion for the art of driving. As Domagoj Dukec, the head of BMW Design, eloquently puts it, "The BMW Concept Touring Coupé celebrates the original Sheer Driving Pleasure," reminding us that the joy of driving has been and will always be timeless.
This hand-crafted masterpiece seamlessly blends traditional body aesthetics with modern-day sports car technology. Its name and proportions pay homage to the iconic BMW 328 Touring Coupé that triumphed at the Mille Miglia endurance race in 1940. The shooting-brake concept nods to the BMW 02 Series models of the early 1970s, with "Touring" in their name distinguishing them from sedans. And beneath the elegant exterior lies BMW's hallmark six-cylinder in-line engine, delivering the pure, unadulterated Sheer Driving Pleasure we've come to adore.
Speaking of aesthetics, the BMW Concept Touring Coupé is a visual delight. The sculpted rear end, born from the flowing roof contours, accentuates the car's athletic shoulders, while the flat rear window and defined body surfaces underscore its solid stance. The side view exudes the classic shooting-brake proportions, complete with a long bonnet, streamlined rooflines, and flared rear wheel arches.
The Sparkling Lario exterior paint, featuring embedded flakes of blue glass, creates a unique sense of depth with grey-brown hues, complemented by silver-bronze accents and the specially designed BMW kidney grille. The 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels continue this color theme in their 20-spoke radial design, exuding an elegant sporty character.
Now, let's step inside this automotive work of art. The interior of the BMW Concept Touring Coupé is a testament to BMW's driver-oriented philosophy. Italian leather artisans, Poltrona Frau, have divided the interior horizontally into two distinct color segments, with a dark brown tone in the upper section for concentration while driving, and a light saddle brown in the lower section for comfort and warmth.
Precision perforations and braided leather straps on the seat valences and slide bar showcase the artisan character of the interior, merging traditional craftsmanship with modern design principles. But that's not all – even the luggage is a masterpiece, custom-designed by the long-established Schedoni leather workshop in Modena, offering a coordinated set of bags for your travels.
In conclusion, the BMW Concept Touring Coupé is a magnificent ode to the allure of automobiles. It marries classic design with cutting-edge technology, reminding us that the joy of driving is truly timeless. BMW has once again shown us their commitment to delivering the ultimate Sheer Driving Pleasure, and we can't wait to see where this captivating journey takes us next.
