One-off BMW Concept Touring Coupe is a Z4 shooting brake
BMW’s taken inspiration from the iconic ‘clown shoe’ Z3 M Coupe with its latest concept
BMW has revealed the one-off fixed roof version of its Z4 Roadster at the glamorous Villa D’Este car show event on Lake Como. The unique model has been designed in the image of BMW’s historic compact two-seater coupes, from the ‘02’ shooting brake concept of the early 1970s right up to the iconic Z3 M Coupe of the early 2000s that was colloquially known as the ‘clown shoe’.
The new Concept Touring Coupe is based on the contemporary, third generation Z4 Roadster, sharing the same distinctive set of proportions that combine a very short wheelbase with a comparatively long front overhang and compact tail. Replacing the roadster’s fabric roof is a new fixed roof that stays relatively high right up until the rear screen, creating its shooting brake-like silhouette.
The tailgate, which is unique to the Z4, features a shallow rear window and aggressively angled ridge that sits above the existing tail lights. Below this are a bespoke rear bumper insert and gold-finish exhaust outlets that match other gold elements that sit around the window frames, front grille and the unique design 20-inch front and 21-inch rear staggered alloy wheels.
BMW has retrimmed the existing Z4 cabin in new and more high quality material finishes from Italian leather workshop Poltrona Frau. The saddle brown finish used on the seats, doors and lower dash sections is contrasted with a darker chocolate finish, both tailored to suit the soft brown exterior paint colour.
Under the bonnet sits BMW’s B58 turbocharged in-line six cylinder engine paired to the usual eight-speed automatic transmission. In the road-going Z4 M40i, peak power is rated at 335bhp and 500Nm of torque, and is capable of 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds.
There are no plans for BMW to put the Concept Touring Coupe into production, with the Z4 itself unlikely to be replaced in its existing roadster form beyond the current generation. With BMW’s emphasis on electrification and profitable SUVs, this isn’t expected to change any time soon.
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