Latest news with #shootingbrake
Motor 1
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Zagato Made a Prettier BMW M4 With a Double Bubble Roof
We typically associate modern shooting brakes with Zagato's stunning cars, but the Speedtop unveiled this past weekend at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este was an all-BMW effort based on the M8. The legendary Italian coachbuilder also attended the annual event held on the shores of Lake Como to introduce a different car. Coincidentally, also a BMW beneath the surface. Say hello to the Bovensiepen Zagato. If the Bovensiepen name sounds familiar, it's because the company was created by brothers Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen, sons of the late Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen , who passed away in October 2023. While Alpina now operates under the BMW Group umbrella, Andreas and Florian are venturing out with a new firm, which is also headquartered in Buchloe. Their first project is a collaboration with Zagato, based on the M4. Photo by: Rather than using the coupe as the foundation, Bovensiepen took the convertible and removed its electrically folding fabric roof. You can tell it's based on the droptop because it lacks B-pillars. Additionally, the small rear-side windows go down, enhancing the distinctive character of a pillarless coupe. Zagato's signature double-bubble roof, a design motif dating back to the 1950s, replaces the factory soft top. The curvature of the rear glass and the integrated rear spoiler signal that this is no ordinary M4. Newly designed 20-inch forged wheels further distinguish it from the donor car. Still, the laser taillights unmistakably reveal its M4 origins, even if the bodywork is entirely new. Most panels are crafted from carbon fiber, and a redesigned front end features an elongated hood with a U-shaped vent. We can all agree that the absence of oversized kidney grilles is refreshing. BMW itself did a current-generation M4 with a different take on the controversial front grille. In 2022, it celebrated 50 years of M with the retro-flavored 3.0 CSL . So, who wore it better? Bovensiepen Zagato Photo by: BMW 3.0 CSL Bovensiepen and Zagato have also developed a more aggressive rear diffuser, flanked by dual exhaust tips from a titanium Akrapovič system that reduces weight by 40 percent compared to the M4's standard exhaust. The wraparound design at both ends gives the car a fresh identity, though the interior remains unmistakably BMW . Blue leather and Alcantara trim the cabin, but the embellishments can't completely disguise its origins, not that there's anything wrong with that. Under the hood lies an upgraded S58 engine: a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six producing 602 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. That's more horsepower than the 3.0 CSL, BMW's most powerful inline-six production car to date. It also delivers more torque than the M4 CS . Bovensiepen quotes a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed exceeding 186 mph (300 km/h). Since it's based on the M4 Convertible, this new coupe with Italian flair comes exclusively with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 2026 Bovensiepen Zagato at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 18 Source: Transforming the M4 Convertible into the Bovensiepen Zagato takes more than 250 hours, so it's safe to assume the car won't come cheap. Pricing and production numbers will be announced in the fourth quarter of the year. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of next year. A base M4 Convertible in the United States already starts at nearly $100,000, so this 'strictly limited' grand tourer will venture deep into six-figure territory. As for the future of the historic Alpina brand, BMW has indicated plans to move the niche marque further upmarket. Under this new direction, which aims to position Alpina as a bridge between BMW and Rolls-Royce , lower-end models based on the 3 Series and 4 Series could be phased out. As a result, expect the new Alpina to focus on BMW's largest vehicles, such as the 7 Series and X7. 2026 Bovensiepen Zagato 27 Source: Bovensiepen Automobile The Last Alpina Products Before The BMW Era: The B8 GT Is Alpina's Most Powerful Car Ever Alpina Boosts the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series to 529 HP Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Bovensiepen Automobile Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Car and Driver
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
View Photos of the BMW Concept Speedtop
After showing off the Concept Skytop at last year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, BMW has returned with the Concept Speedtop, essentially a shooting brake version of the convertible revealed in 2024. Just like the Skytop, the Speedtop is set to be built in extremely limited numbers. Read the full story
Car and Driver
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
BMW Gearing Up to Reveal Shooting Brake Based on the Skytop Concept
BMW teased a new shooting brake model ahead of this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. Based on Instagram posts made by BMW and the automaker's head designer, the new car looks to be based on last year's Skytop concept. Following the reception of the Skytop at last year's Villa d'Este, BMW confirmed a limited-production run of 50 Skytops, which could lead to more of the same for this model. Each year, Italy's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is a gathering of some of the most famous and costly vehicles around the world—and of course, the people with the ultra-deep pockets to buy them. Naturally, it's the perfect place for a luxury automaker to launch a costly concept car. That's exactly what BMW did a year ago with the Skytop concept. Now, the brand appears poised to do the same once again with a shooting brake version. BMW teased the new model with a post on its Instagram account, describing the car as "dynamic, elegant, exotic." It shows two pictures of the same swooping bodywork and minimalistic taillight design as the Skytop, now in shooting brake form. And if the Skytop is anything to go by, the new model could be headed for production. BMW has plans to build 50 examples of the Skytop convertible. It's largely based on the M8 Competition, and it sources some 617 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 under the hood. Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW's head of design and the man in charge of the Skytop's look, also posted a preview of the shooting brake to Instagram. While Hooydonk's post is too blurry to gather any intricate details, it does show off the low-slung silhouette of the new car. BMW With the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este coming up this weekend, it's entirely plausible that BMW expects to sell a further 50 Skytop models to the wealthy clientele descending on Como, Italy. Either way, we expect to see many more revealing photos of the shooting brake by the end of the weekend. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Motor 1
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
BMW Is About to Unveil a Stunning New Shooting Brake Concept
BMW loves showing off new concept cars at Villa d'Este. The Lake Como, Italy concours event has been home to several reveals for the brand, and we suspect this year will be no different. BMW has released teaser photos that suggest this year's surprise will be a very angular shooting brake. The most revealing image, shown above, was published on Monday to Instagram by head designer Adrian van Hooydonk. It's pretty blurry, but we can make out the two-door wagon body shape, along with some big wheels and thin taillights. Another pair of photos from BMW's official Instagram account show off the car's rear profile, suggesting some extreme angles and thin lighting. Photo by: BMW Photo by: BMW BMW hasn't said what it has in store, obviously. But we can make some educated guesses. At first glance this concept might seem very similar to the Z4 shooting brake shown in 2023, though when comparing the cars side to side, none of the design cues or proportions match up. So it must be something else. Our best guess? This concept will be a hardtop version of the BMW Skytop . The sharp rear lip and thin taillights match up perfectly, as does the generally wide stance. If we're accurate, that means the shooting brake should be based on the M8, complete with that car's twin-turbo V-8 engine and all-wheel drive powertrain. Of course, it's unclear right now whether BMW would put a Skytop shooting brake into production. The Z4 shooting brake looked production-ready, but the company decided against a limited series for customers. The Skytop, on the other hand, is getting a production run of 50 units . If there's enough demand, perhaps BMW will make a handful of examples for lucky customers. We won't have to wait long to find out. The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este kicks off on Friday, May 23. More BMW Concepts This Was BMW's Last Truly Beautiful Concept Car Why BMW's Newest Concept Car Has Old-Fashioned Buttons Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
