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Friday, February 7, 2025

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BMW Concept Touring Coupé: A Retro-Inspired Clownshoe for Modern Enthusiasts

In a bold move that harks back to its iconic coupes of the past, BMW has unveiled the Concept Touring Coupé, a show car paying homage to the beloved Z3 and Z4 Coupes. Unveiled at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, this one-off concept merges vintage charm with modern design, capturing the attention of car enthusiasts worldwide. With its striking resemblance to the Z3 and Z4 Coupes, this shooting brake-inspired concept has ignited speculation about a potential production model.

Design and Features: The Concept Touring Coupé impressively blends classic and contemporary elements. While BMW claims inspiration from the 1940 328 Touring Coupe and the ’70s 02 series, it’s hard to overlook the unmistakable influence of the Z3 and Z4 Coupes from previous decades. These rare models, often referred to as “clownshoes” due to their distinctive appearance, featured unique long-hood, short-greenhouse proportions.

Underneath its captivating exterior, the Concept Touring Coupé houses BMW’s hallmark inline-6 engine, which likely boasts similar performance to the current Z4’s 382-horsepower 3.0-liter engine. Although no mention of an electrified drivetrain has been made, it’s worth noting that this concept relies solely on fossil fuels, which may come as a surprise considering BMW’s commitment to increased EV production.

Exterior and Interior: The Touring Coupé’s silhouette exudes elegance and nostalgia, with a touch of modern flair. Its “Sparkling Lario” exterior paint, featuring blue glass flakes, beautifully complements the gray-brown tones. Notably, BMW has opted for more understated kidney grilles, hinting at a departure from their previous oversized design.

The concept’s interior showcases meticulous craftsmanship, as Italian leather workshop Poltrona Frau adorns the panels with luxurious cowhide. In a nod to the past, BMW collaborates with Schedoni leather workshop to create custom matching luggage, further accentuating the concept’s timeless appeal.

Production Prospects: While officially labeled as a concept, the Concept Touring Coupé exhibits a production-ready appearance, sparking speculation about its future availability. Enthusiasts eagerly anticipate BMW’s decision to reintroduce the “clownshoe” as a Z4 variant, potentially causing some overlap with its platform-mate, the coupe-only Toyota GR Supra. The American market could witness the revival of this beloved design, offering a unique blend of retro aesthetics and modern performance.

The Final Thought

With the BMW Concept Touring Coupé, the automaker successfully merges vintage inspiration with contemporary design, reigniting passion for its classic coupes. The potential for a production model has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts, who eagerly anticipate the return of the iconic “clownshoe.” As BMW continues to innovate and evolve, the Concept Touring Coupé showcases the brand’s ability to pay homage to its heritage while embracing the future.

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