BMW’s surprise reveal of a one-off coupe version of its Z4 roadster last week could potentially lead to a limited production run.
“At least two or three people said ‘I want it’”, BMW Group design director Adrian van Hooydonk said about the Concept Touring Coupe in remarks reported by BMW Blog.
When asked whether this interest could lead to a production run, van Hooydonk said, “Who knows? You know, I would like that. That’s for sure.”
He indicated a run of around 50 units is possible, similar to that of the exclusive 3.0 CSL, but reportedly suggested it would cost significantly less than that M4-derived model.
Any production model could reportedly cost in the ballpark of A$375,660. The Z4 range currently tops out at just $133,900 before on-roads.
It would reportedly use the same 285kW/500Nm turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine as the Z4 M40i, with the lofty premium attributable not to extra performance but to its exclusivity and bespoke interior.
The more powerful twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six of the M3 reportedly won’t work in the Z4.
The shooting brake concept’s body is finished in a grey-brown paint that’s embedded with flakes of blue glass. In addition to this there are silver-bronze accents throughout, and a unique pattern for the double kidney grille with vertical bars.
There are also gold-finish 20- (front) and 21-inch (rear) alloy wheels.
While the Touring Coupe’s lengthened roof line doesn’t allow you to carry any extra passengers, it greatly improves cargo carrying capacity.
The boot has tie-down straps, leather lining the sides and floor, and a tub-shaped design that partially hides the brace linking the two wheel wells.
Leather for the concept’s cabin and boot was done by Italian interior design firm Poltrona Frau, while Schedoni, a leather goods firm from Modena, hand-crafted the car’s matching luggage set.
According to BMW the Concept Touring Coupe shares its name and draws its inspiration from the 328 Touring Coupe from the late 1930s, which won the Mille Miglia race in 1940.
The concept is also said to pay homage to the first modern BMW to wear the Touring badge: the 02 shooting brake from the 1970s.
Interestingly, the automaker makes no mention of the Z3 coupe. Like the Touring Coupe, it was more of a shooting brake or hatch than coupe, but it missed out on BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink.
Stylistically, it was an acquired taste and was described by some in the media as a “bread van” or “clown shoe”.
