The BMW Concept Touring Coupe: A timeless symbol of freedom on four wheels

eljay · 05-21-2023, 02:26 PM

OK, can't help one sarcastic remark: why do you need that long nose when the power units are in the wheels?!

In other words, let's hope there's a nice I6 under the bonnet.

Teutonic · 05-21-2023, 03:39 PM

Very nice. Except the scar on the hood and the Mercedes vibe headlamps the car looks very good.
But if it will end up like Zagato, who cares.
Wanted to buy that Zagato car, yet it was never built.
Good that they build all kind of ugly cars and something nice never comes to fruition.

However, Nice car, beautiful exterior, proper hips and very well designed reiteration of the hofmeister kink and cockpit style classic interior with no shitty long screen. Proper shifter, analog buttons… what’s not to love?

Really nice!

TractionControlDelete · 05-21-2023, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdhiro

Surely BMW knows that anything with ///M kit demands a 15-25% premium. Add the manual, S58, and ///M suspension treatment. With Porsche getting a huge price bump, they could sell this for 90K+.

BMW said the S58 can’t fit

Ducguy46 · 05-21-2023, 05:33 PM

I get people that ask me that about my 2008 Z4 M Coupe…”Badassery,” is the response I’ve come up with.

DMason · 05-21-2023, 05:47 PM

In a heart beat!

heelsmj · 05-21-2023, 05:48 PM

Shut up and take my money

DarkstarZero · 05-21-2023, 06:21 PM

I think the front and rear are over styled on the outside, overly aggressive. Would love to see BMW build something that's elegant again. Like the z4m coupe. It was nearly perfect. It just needed a slightly less rounded front.

Hutchinson04 · 05-21-2023, 06:21 PM

Is that an updated version of the original clown shoe?

DrKevM5 · 05-21-2023, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXSchnee

If the $250,000 number is anywhere near accurate, it is a non starter. That is more than a 911 Dakar, which is a far more special vehicle than a Z4 with a shooting brake rear end. Heck, a 911 Turbo S would be a better purchase.

Point well taken. But I remember when the Z8 came out in 2003, people freaked out about the $125000 price, yet they sold every single one of them, most if not all at a premium.

antzcrashing · 05-21-2023, 08:47 PM

Do not want. Make a 6MT z4 and then call my dad

No one · 05-21-2023, 08:55 PM

This is the right way to go!

I mean as a car, not the luxury pretensions. It could be exactly what I need with a manual transmission(!!!) instead of the leather stuff and ridiculously huge wheels. The grille design doesn't matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

hop

I've no use for the rear seat.

CamasM3e93 · 05-21-2023, 11:44 PM

Meh, another wagon

NotSharocks · 05-22-2023, 12:06 AM

This is why I bought the Supra instead.

Looks infinitely better than this, available with a manual, actually exists.

Nice try BMW.

br438 · 05-22-2023, 01:33 AM

Almost... I like the idea, but for a car to be timeless and classic, it has to have curves. It needs a waist and some hips. Seriously... This thing is just a block (again BMW) with lines. Widen the front end and the rear wheel arches, and dip the hood where it meets the windshield, and maybe you've got something special.

mbanck · 05-22-2023, 03:39 AM

I'm a bit confused by all the comments sounding like this is a truly bespoke design, or return to form for the designers...

As far as I can tell, this is a Z4 with the convertible roof replaced by a shooting brake fixed roof, custom interior and some minor bodykit (front lip?) as well as concept car rims. Front/read headlights etc. look identical to the Z4 to me. So why are people discussing overhangs or hood dents or whatever? Did anybody proof that this is not a Z4 in any way?

Also, this is essentially a 8-10 year old design (assuming the Z4 exterior had to be locked a couple of years before start of production) and not something they came up with recently (again, except for the shooting brake rear).

The upshot is that yeah, BMW/Magna could probably pretty easily build it if they wanted to pay for crash testing etc., but the interior would then be identical to the Z4 I assume, and the baseball stitching etc. would go away.

One interesting question remains: Why did they not put a manual into it? Clearly the Z4 has/had one (in the 20i), but maybe those aren't built anymore and they took a Z4 from the production line in order to modify it. And the manual M40i Z4 won't appear until next year so either they decided not to "leak it" this way by putting it into this concept (but maybe that would've been a cool way to announce it), or (more probable) again, they took a car from the production line, and no B58/manual Z4 combination exists today.

Imran@Evolve · 05-22-2023, 05:11 AM

Yes please.

It looks very production ready and not like a typical BMW concept where you know many changes would need to be made for the end product.

tvieso · 05-22-2023, 05:29 AM

I’m oddly attracted to this and I don’t know why. That interior is choice though.

2022M550i · 05-22-2023, 06:02 AM

I think its one of the nicer looking things BMW designed as of recent. I think they went off the deep end with some of their new lineup…very inconsistent styling

Bruuuce · 05-22-2023, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

OK, I’ll do it….

thanks for posting a pic of my car, ha, looks just like mine, I still have it after all these years

the new concept looks cool, doubt it will go anywhere

Lorcan · 05-22-2023, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbanck

no B58/manual Z4 combination exists today.

There is a manual Supra though, identified by the red Supra badges.

BMWGirlFL · 05-22-2023, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Quote:

BMW Touring Coupe Concept Talk with Adrian Van Hooydonk

By now, most enthusiasts have seen the incredible BMW Touring Coupe Concept that debuted at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. The man behind it is Adrian Van Hooydonk, the long standing BMW Group Head of Design. Chatting about the little, brown, modern interpretation of the clown shoe, he offered BMWBLOG plenty of insight.

Where the Z4 Touring Coupe Concept Came From

The BMW Touring Coupe Concept was a bit of a “right car for the right time” situation. BMW already had the underpinnings ready, and with so many visionary concepts already in the works, Van Hooydonk considered the crowd that attends Villa d’Este. “We didn’t want to use every platform, every meeting, to talk about the next ten years. We felt the crowd and public here completely understand cars, they understand car design, they just want their dream to continue.” They thought – correctly, it seems – that this vehicle would accomplish that.

When modifying the Z4’s sheet metal to fit the new Touring Coupe profile, BMW partnered with the same Turin, Italy-based company that helped make the Garmisch concept car recreation. “We knew that if anybody could do it – hand built, handcrafted, complicated shapes – and make it in time into a running prototype…they were the ones,” Van Hooydonk said. “I didn’t know if that was going to go over well, but it did.”

Predictably, inspiration for the Z4 Touring Coupe Concept came mostly from the Z3 M Coupe. It was no contest when comparing prices (and enthusiast reception) between the “bread van” Z3 M Coupe and the fastback Z4 M Coupe. “It’s that kind of maybe controversial look that made it into the classic that it is today,” he says. “Of course, we could have done a fastback coupe here as well. We thought about that. Very quickly. We decided on the bread fan or Shooting Brake architecture. We felt that would make it probably a bit more iconic.”

I think he’s right about that. I can’t imagine the internet falling quite as hard for a more standard coupe design.

Feedback on the Concept

“At least two or three people said they want it…one person sent me a [message] last week saying ‘whatever it is, I’ll take it,'” Van Hooydonk responds. Positive feedback is everywhere for the Touring Coupe Concept, and Domagoj is noticing. “It seemed to fit, let’s say, the location, the event, the type of car passionate people that are here,” he said. We can’t agree more – few cars fit in better at the Concours than the beautiful new Z4 concept.

The Concept isn’t exactly a recent development, according to Van Hooydonk. “This design is something that our California design studio came up with, actually, quite a while ago when we were doing the Z4.” Apparently, this project is something that the team and Van Hooydonk himself were quite passionate about, even making a model version some time ago. After the Touring Coupe Concept became something closer to reality, they got to work making it a little bit more feasible for production.

Touring Coupe Concept Production

Van Hooydonk cites the current 3.0 CSL as a bit of a benchmark for when – or if – the BMW Touring Coupe Concept sees the green light for production. From the original Hommage car that debuted in 2015, it took nearly eight years to actually get a similar vehicle in production. “So it took us a while, but at least we got it done. 50 units, 50 pieces, with this…I don’t know maybe we can do it a bit quicker,” he says regarding the Z4. “But it depends also on the interest.” Regarding volume, you can rest assured that the Z4 Touring Coupe will be highly exclusive. “It will always be a much lower volume than, let’s say, a 3 Series or an X5. But I think it adds something or would add something to the brand.”

As far as concrete plans going forward with the BMW Touring Coupe Concept? Well, there’s not much. “It is a one-off at the moment. But we’ve made the agreement before we set sail for Lake Como that if there’s enough interest, we will take a look at it. And that could be a very low volume version, like 50 cars.”

For America, anyway, that spells big markups – if the vehicle even comes here. So I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Either way – it would be a shame if one of the prettiest modern BMWs never went into production. So cross your fingers and keep saying nice things about it.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/05/22/b...-van-hooydonk/

.

Lorcan · 05-22-2023, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steker

The front overhang looks even worse when compared so directly with a previous generation

The wheels should move at least 20cm to the front.

It's a tad longer at the front than the current generation, and shorter at the back. Comparison with previous gen is pointless as crumples zones and pedestrian protection have increased.

05-21-2023, 02:26 PM	#177
eljay Colonel 2188 Rep 2,560 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	OK, can't help one sarcastic remark: why do you need that long nose when the power units are in the wheels?! In other words, let's hope there's a nice I6 under the bonnet.
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05-21-2023, 03:39 PM	#178
Teutonic Banned 2842 Rep 2,418 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Very nice. Except the scar on the hood and the Mercedes vibe headlamps the car looks very good. But if it will end up like Zagato, who cares. Wanted to buy that Zagato car, yet it was never built. Good that they build all kind of ugly cars and something nice never comes to fruition. However, Nice car, beautiful exterior, proper hips and very well designed reiteration of the hofmeister kink and cockpit style classic interior with no shitty long screen. Proper shifter, analog buttons… what’s not to love? Really nice!
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05-21-2023, 05:33 PM	#180
Ducguy46 CLTMCarGuy 447 Rep 132 Posts Drives: Z3M Roadster, Z4M Coupe, M3G80 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 BMW Z3 M Roadster [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 M Coupe [0.00] 2018 BMW F80 M3 [0.00]	I get people that ask me that about my 2008 Z4 M Coupe…”Badassery,” is the response I’ve come up with. Attached Images
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05-21-2023, 05:47 PM	#181
DMason Private 57 Rep 82 Posts Drives: X5 and a X1 m35i on the water Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Camano Island, Washington iTrader: (0)	In a heart beat!
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05-21-2023, 05:48 PM	#182
heelsmj Second Lieutenant 365 Rep 262 Posts Drives: 2023 M240 Xdrive Retired M340 Join Date: May 2020 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Shut up and take my money
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05-21-2023, 06:21 PM	#183
DarkstarZero Lieutenant Colonel 1194 Rep 1,767 Posts Drives: Daytona 95 M3, e92 M3, c8 RS6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (6)	I think the front and rear are over styled on the outside, overly aggressive. Would love to see BMW build something that's elegant again. Like the z4m coupe. It was nearly perfect. It just needed a slightly less rounded front.
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05-21-2023, 06:21 PM	#184
Hutchinson04 Second Lieutenant 910 Rep 222 Posts Drives: G82 M4 convertible E23 7 Serie Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Hutchinson Island iTrader: (0)	Is that an updated version of the original clown shoe?
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05-21-2023, 08:47 PM	#186
antzcrashing Brigadier General 1985 Rep 3,290 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Eastern MA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i GC xD ... [9.75]	Do not want. Make a 6MT z4 and then call my dad
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05-21-2023, 11:44 PM	#188
CamasM3e93 Friends don't let friends ESS 4799 Rep 1,152 Posts Drives: '11 Lemans Blue 6mt Harrop e90 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Camas, WA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E90 M3 [9.00] 2003 Porsche 911 Turbo [9.83] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i [0.00] 2013 Mercedes E550 ... [0.00]	Meh, another wagon
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05-22-2023, 12:06 AM	#189
NotSharocks Banned 980 Rep 330 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	This is why I bought the Supra instead. Looks infinitely better than this, available with a manual, actually exists. Nice try BMW.
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05-22-2023, 01:33 AM	#190
br438 Infinite Boulder Roller 619 Rep 413 Posts Drives: 2000 M Roadster Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	Almost... I like the idea, but for a car to be timeless and classic, it has to have curves. It needs a waist and some hips. Seriously... This thing is just a block (again BMW) with lines. Widen the front end and the rear wheel arches, and dip the hood where it meets the windshield, and maybe you've got something special.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-22-2023, 03:39 AM	#191
mbanck Captain 1050 Rep 1,004 Posts Drives: BMW E46 320ci, BMW F34 330dx Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Munich iTrader: (0)	I'm a bit confused by all the comments sounding like this is a truly bespoke design, or return to form for the designers... As far as I can tell, this is a Z4 with the convertible roof replaced by a shooting brake fixed roof, custom interior and some minor bodykit (front lip?) as well as concept car rims. Front/read headlights etc. look identical to the Z4 to me. So why are people discussing overhangs or hood dents or whatever? Did anybody proof that this is not a Z4 in any way? Also, this is essentially a 8-10 year old design (assuming the Z4 exterior had to be locked a couple of years before start of production) and not something they came up with recently (again, except for the shooting brake rear). The upshot is that yeah, BMW/Magna could probably pretty easily build it if they wanted to pay for crash testing etc., but the interior would then be identical to the Z4 I assume, and the baseball stitching etc. would go away. One interesting question remains: Why did they not put a manual into it? Clearly the Z4 has/had one (in the 20i), but maybe those aren't built anymore and they took a Z4 from the production line in order to modify it. And the manual M40i Z4 won't appear until next year so either they decided not to "leak it" this way by putting it into this concept (but maybe that would've been a cool way to announce it), or (more probable) again, they took a car from the production line, and no B58/manual Z4 combination exists today. Last edited by mbanck; 05-22-2023 at 05:32 AM..
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05-22-2023, 05:11 AM	#192
Imran@Evolve BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 5878 Rep 3,883 Posts Drives: All of them Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bedfordshire UK iTrader: (0)	Yes please. It looks very production ready and not like a typical BMW concept where you know many changes would need to be made for the end product.
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05-22-2023, 05:29 AM	#193
tvieso Captain 292 Rep 625 Posts Drives: 2026 X5 40i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (0)	I’m oddly attracted to this and I don’t know why. That interior is choice though.
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05-22-2023, 06:02 AM	#194
2022M550i Lieutenant Colonel 3168 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: 2022 M550i, 2015 Viper Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I think its one of the nicer looking things BMW designed as of recent. I think they went off the deep end with some of their new lineup…very inconsistent styling
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