BMW’s cool sneakers are back!

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At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the classic car beauty pageant, BMW is always in top form. Works like the now-realized BMW 3.0 CSL or the breathtaking BMW M1 Homage will certainly draw attention to the picturesque Lake Como (I). This time, the people of Munich reflect on their past and roll a Shooting Brake called the BMW Concept Touring Coupé towards Italy. At first glance, a memory about the concept car becomes clear: The Z3 Coupé, first mocked as a sketch by a drug-influenced designer and now dubbed the now-legendary “elephant sneakers,” was clearly the inspiration.

BMW’s history reveals two more role models: The BMW 328 Touring Coupé, which won the legendary Mille Miglia long-distance race in 1940, also looks out from the depths of Bavarian automobile history. Traveling models of the 02 series in the 1970s found many admirers. They immediately recognize the inscription engraved on the back of the vehicle. In general: rear view. The Z4 station wagon extends its magnificent rear end broadly towards the viewer, ending in strong shoulders. Splendid! The fact that Ferrari once brought a road-like idea with the FF is certainly appreciated by BMW.

Standard rear wheel drive

The paint color “Sparkling Lario” is a tribute to where the Shooting Brake first appeared: Lario is the Latin name for Lake Como. Embedded blue glass particles give the gray-brown paint a special depth effect. The chrome elements are plated with silver bronze to match the basic shade of brown. This also applies to the vertical double beams of the BMW kidney grille specially designed for the Concept Touring Coupé, as well as the double-curved crossover in the C-pillar, known to BMW experts as the Hofmeister curve.

Speaking of elements of a classic BMW, rear-wheel drive inline-six under the long hood should not be missing. The concept vehicle is based on a Z4 M40i with a three-litre engine that accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and produces 340 hp (250 kW) with a top speed of 250 km/h. Therefore, proper propulsion must be provided.

The best leather anywhere

But the Concept Touring Coupé is also a GT, so a comfortable interior is essential. The interior designers drew on the expertise of Italian furniture manufacturer Poltrona-Frau for the two-tone full leather interior, where even the floor mats are made of leather. Even the trunk is covered with saddle leather. Details such as fine perforations throughout the car or leather straps woven like a baseball glove add a special flair to the interior. But leather braids are not entirely new. The Audi TT already had this feature a few years ago.

The right luggage is also part of traveling in style. Specially for the BMW Concept Touring Coupé, the experts at the leather manufacturer Schedoni in Modena have designed two large suitcases, a small weekender and a dress bag that fit perfectly into the vehicle. Plus extras that should sell well. Speaking of which: an active Shooting Brake like the Concept Touring Coupé is sure to find buyers. After all, there are enough role models that have made the leap from Lake Como into the showrooms of car dealerships.

Source: Blick