THE ONE-OFF BMW TOURING COUPE IS THE Z4 CLOWN SHOE WE NEED TODAY

At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023, BMW unveiled the Z4-based shooting brake in an effort to combine the classic design elements of a sports car with the practicality a spacious touring machine can provide. The result of their work is truly outstanding; a car that is stunning to look at thanks to its instantly timeless design.

BMW is known for creating powerful yet understated cars, from the original E30 3 Series to the legendary E39 M5. However, practical performance cars are not just their specialty. The brand has also created many fantastic concept cars throughout their history. For instance, the Nazca C2 showcased huge power with a 5.0-liter V12 engine, draped in stunningly beautiful Italian design package. BMW know a thing or two about creating high performance, beautifully designed sports cars. And now, the brand has done it again with the launch of the Concept Touring Coupe. So, we thought it was best to do a deep dive on one of the most exciting cars to come out of BMW in recent years.

BMW’s Touring Coupe Is Inspired By Classic BMW Legends

The ethos behind the concept car is draped in heritage and the desire to maintain the ‘ultimate driving machine’ philosophy that BMW has championed. The one-of-a-kind Touring Coupe, as BMW claim, echoes the proportions and design of the original 328 Touring Coupe that raced the grueling and arduous ‘Mille Miglia’ endurance race in the 40s. The fact this concept is a practical shooting brake is also reminiscent of BMW’s 02 Series from the 70s; a car that was aptly labeled ‘Touring’ thanks to its spacious and practical cabin.

However, perhaps the biggest inspiration comes from BMW’s recent past with their infamous Z3 M Coupe. This 2-seater coupe version of the Z3 is perhaps one of the most original pieces of automotive design; the long sweeping hood and the short-curved rear end has earned the Z3 M Coupe the nickname ‘clown shoe’.

Though a controversial design, it certainly left its mark in the history books. From where we stand, the all-new Touring Coupe shares similarities with it thanks to the long hood, swooping trunk aesthetic. What’s clear is that BMW’s all new concept car, while innovative in technology, respects the company’s heritage by continuing the tradition of the conventional sports car.

A Shooting Brake Touring With Sports Car Power

While details on the Touring Coupe’s powertrain are sparse, there are some indications of what the power output will be like given the car is based on the underpinnings of the G29 Z4 M40i; the highest spec 2-seater convertible BMW currently produce. And if this is anything to go by, it’s clear the Touring Coupe will have sports car-like power and performance.

The current Z4 roadster has a 3.0-liter inline-6, perhaps one of the most iconic engines ever made given BMW’s heritage. This straight six engine is no slouch; it produces a peppy 335 hp at 5000 rpm and, thanks to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, it can reach 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a car that weighs in at around 3616 pounds. The turbocharged engine is so powerful, in fact, it has to be electronically limited to 155 mph.

So, the underpinnings of the Touring Coupe make it a quick performance car. However, given the speciality of this shooting brake, reports have indicated that BMW have uprated the powertrain of this concept car. Under the hood would be a 4.0-liter inline-6 producing, as near as makes no difference, around 400 hp; that’s 65 hp more than its roadster variant.

From this it seems the ‘ultimate driving machine’ ethos has truly influenced the Touring Coupe’s design and engineering. However, enthusiasts and petrol heads alike may be disheartened to learn that the Touring Coupe would only be available with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, similar to the Z4 roadster. And while this would make grand touring trips easier and more convenient, the lack of a manual transmission would no doubt reduce the driving dynamism the car could provide. Nevertheless, this is a grand tourer with sports car power, a true BMW.

The Touring Concept Shooting Brake Has Stunning Styling

The all-new concept from BMW certainly has the powertrain of a sports car, but the cherry on top – without question – is the way it looks. Over recent years, BMW’s design department has certainly lacked consistency. Gone are the subtle yet aggressive styling cues demonstrated by the E60 M5 or the E92 M3, for example, and in their place is a garish and controversial design language that has divided enthusiasts. Some appreciate their new design path, others can’t stand to look at them.

The Touring Coupe, however, may finally be the unifier the community needs. While it maintains design elements from BMW’s current line-up with the grill design from a 3 Series and the body lines from a 5 Series, the shooting brake’s shape is classically beautiful. A long swooping hood, the slightly flared rear arches, a curved hatchback with subtle angular cues. It mirrors, as previously mentioned, the Z3 M Coupe and the first generation Z4 M Coupe, both of which have become future classics partly due to their styling.

The Touring Coupe follows suit. It still has a contemporary aesthetic – from the taillight design to the eccentric alloy style – while also maintaining a classical shape and silhouette. If anything, remove the BMW badges, and it would strike us as more of an Italian classic than a German cruiser. This, though, is a credit to BMW’s design department; they have finally delivered a truly stunning vehicle to admire.

BMW Return To Driver-Focused Interiors With The Touring Coupe

So, it’s beautiful, it has a suitable about of sports car power, and it respects and revitalizes the heritage of BMW. And best of all, the interior cabin is a spacious and wonderful place to be. The high-quality leather interior gives a prestigious feel to the driving experience, creating a comfortable ride for the occupants as they partake on their European grand tour. There are plenty of infotainment systems too, as is traditional with modern BMWs. The would-be owner would even have access to custom-made luggage designed exclusively for the Touring Coupe.

However, perhaps the most intriguing interior design piece is the center console. Like BMWs of old, the Touring Coupe features a driver-focused dashboard, where the console is angled towards the driver and away from the passenger. This echoes that of the BMW E34 M5 and the E30 M3, yet another example of BMW respecting their heritage and implementing it into modern designs. It’s a quirky feature that is a welcome return as this was a staple for all classic BMWs.

Recently, BMW has been the center of controversy within the car community. Many new models, such as the new 4 Series or the new electric range, feature brazen design styles that seemingly discard the typical BMW design cues (moderate kidney grills, a simple hofmeister kink, and so forth). Now, though, with the Touring Coupe, it seems BMW has returned to their classically beautiful and understated styling that is already winning over many enthusiasts. And with news hitting that the concept could be put into low-volume production, we could not be more excited about the future direction of the brand if the Concept Touring Coupe is anything to go by.

2023-05-28T20:06:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd