[8] Bmw Coupe For Sale In Today Headline

BMW is adding another chapter to the brand's rich design heritage at the Concorso d’Eleganza on the posh grounds of Villa d’Este in Lake Como. This is where the Bavarian automaker launched the Gran Lusso Coupé, which seems rather fitting considering the concept was conceived in close conjunction with famed Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina and its styling department under the direction of designer Fabio Filippini. The large two-door coupe likely will remain a one-off, and that’s a real pity.

Pininfarina set out to create a modern interpretation of BMW's heritage, while maintaining strong links with the brand's current design language. Technical details are sparse, but it’s safe to assume that the Gran Lusso Coupé is powered by the same twin-turbo V-12 that propels the 760i with unwavering authority.

The front end of the Gran Lusso Coupé might the most convincing interpretation of the traditional BMW "shark nose" since BMW abandoned this element in the E36 3-series. The front end angles downward and rearward while featuring a large kidney grille and lower air intakes that appear to be inspired by the Concept 4-series Coupe, albeit in far more discreetly. The pair of LED headlamps are positioned behind a glass screen, and to some observers, they might evoke memories of the 1965 2000 CS coupe.

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In profile, there’s a fresh interpretation of BMW's current design language. There’s a pronounced character line that drops down from the front fender and gradually rises as it moves toward the rear bumper. Here, the Gran Lusso beautifully incorporates the "air breathers"—BMW-speak for fender vents—which look like clumsy afterthoughts when applied to the 3-series Gran Turismo and the upcoming 4-series. The door handles are gorgeously flush, a welcome change to the protruding disturbances found on the vast majority of today's vehicles.

BMW and Pininfarina have fitted the Gran Lusso Coupé with two-tone, 21-inch wheels that feature 15 spokes. In each cluster of three spokes, the center spoke is finished in a darker hue, which gives the subtle appearance of sporty five-spoke wheels while maintaining the elegance of a multi-spoke roller. The side windows are uninterrupted by a B-pillar, which is a free-standing element hidden behind the glass. A classic interpretation of the Hofmeister kink makes room for a prominent “V12” logo, and the C-pillars are raked at a different angle than the rear window, resulting in a slightly buttress-like appearance that’s reminiscent of Jaguar’s XJ-S. (This is a typical Pininfarina element, seen, for instance, on the Lancia Flaminia Coupé.) The Gran Lusso Coupé's rear end is dominated by a pair of large, trapezoidal chrome exhaust finishers, and a slim taillight that stretches across the full width of the car. A long and thin glass opening resides on the roof, which is designed to let light pour into the car.

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The interior doesn’t fail to meet the high expectations of a one-off car finished by an Italian coachbuilder. As is the exterior, the interior’s design language is an evolution of BMW's current offerings, executed in an elegantly casual manner. The tobacco-brown and black leather is supplied by Foglizzo, an Italian leather producer founded in 1921. Even more remarkable is the Kauri wood: These logs, agathis australis, grew in northern New Zealand almost 50,000 years ago, says BMW. And the headliner is finished in a principe di gallo pattern, much like an expensive Italian suit.

The Gran Lusso Coupé picks up on an old heritage of BMW partnering with Italian design houses: The 1961 3200 CS was designed by Bertone, and the 1500 sedan, launched at virtually the same time was styled with strong input from Michelotti. Last year, the proud tradition was revived with a Zagato-styled Z4, and this year, the partnership continues with Pininfarina. If we’re lucky, that tradition will be extended to production cars in the future.

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