[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

My impression is that they've upped the gold or bronze content over the stock cerium trim. Doesn't look silvery to me at all.

Could be. Cerium is weird, depending on the lighting. The picture of the rear that shows the tail pipes is what had we thinking cerium.

[Paragon-A]

Hey Siri, Modernize the Z3 M Coupe .
Shame companies no longer take these kind of wild design choices anymore .

[BMWGirlFL]

Hard to say if "silver-bronze" is cerium or not cerium.







With ACC:

[BMWGirlFL]

[Bimmerfun82]

Yes! Manual please

[jdhiro]

I like it a lot. Bring back the Z4M.

[BMWGirlFL]

[stlcdr]

In a more stable economic environment, build it they should.

However, while I can see the attractiveness to a small segment, is it really worth it? I think that the negative responses to it from those who have no interest can be damaging to the brand as a whole.

(sorry to be a Negative Nancy in what is a positive thread).

[BMWGirlFL]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

G30 production ends 6/23. Wondering what, if anything, that might mean for future G29/J29 production volume.

Originally Posted by ebirotedu

You mean insofar as it might free up additional production capacity at Magna Steyr in Graz?

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Exactly!

About 6:47: "[T]here is some production capacity to fill at ... Magna".

[ebirotedu]

Agreed. It's interesting, but it would never sell in any appreciable volume in the US.

It's just way too niche for this market. And I say this as someone who would not be averse to buying another hatchback (i.e., Golf R) or a wagon (E63S). IMO, very few people would be willing to buy this instead of an SUV or a truck, or a sedan that can carry more than 2 people, or a dedicated sports car as a sole vehicle. And even as a 2nd or 3rd vehicle I think it's going to compete unsuccessfully against cars that better fit those aforementioned categories. That and it's too expensive to displace existing do-it-all vehicles like the aforementioned GTI/Golf.

BMW would need to realize any development costs & hoped for profit in other geographies.

Originally Posted by stlcdr

In a more stable economic environment, build it they should.

However, while I can see the attractiveness to a small segment, is it really worth it? I think that the negative responses to it from those who have no interest can be damaging to the brand as a whole.

(sorry to be a Negative Nancy in what is a positive thread).

[RigaTony1982]

I’ve seen more pictures and stuff popping up on other sites, and the more I look at this the more I like it

[alvitdk]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

I’ve seen more pictures and stuff popping up on other sites, and the more I look at this the more I like it

Likewise, first impression was WTF is that ugly thing....after watching every single video I emailed my dealer to put me on the list if they ever decide to make it....and I have not even taken delivery of the car that sits for the last month at the port in Germany

[tracer bullet]

Never mind, posted a video that was already posted!

[M4_444]

BMW, If you guys are reading this: Please make this car, I guarantee you I will be buying one. (Feel free to reach out to me directly)

You guys truly NEED to make this car for true enthusiasts before the end of the G29 platform. We all see electrification coming and I'd say I'm totally fine with that, but this Touring Coupe concept is what the world needs before the end of ICE. It's a statement and a car that history will look back very favorably on.

Especially if you throw in that S58 engine and mate it to the 6speed. I mean if I'm going to dream that you guys might make this car, I might as well dream big, right???

Signed,
A BMW enthusiast that has had at least one BMW in my garage for the past 25 years. Usually 2.

(OK, I'm done fantasizing for now)

[stlcdr]

Done a bit more reading on this, it is rumored to be a 50 run limited edition at...$250k.

So, if that's the case, I'm going to backtrack my comment...I don't think it'll hurt BMW at all, but will actually bolster the brand. Being an 'experimental' car, while some don't like it (the press can be brutal) you can point out it's just limited run.

Conversely, it demonstrates BMW are going to take a risk, for the small segment, and with designs.

For that money, even if I really wanted it, we are starting to hit Ferrari territory.

[BMWGirlFL]

Calvin Luk sketch:

[Balr14]

I think it's a really great looking car. But, it's not a roadster. My moto is that if it has a roof, it needs 4 doors.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Done a bit more reading on this, it is rumored to be a 50 run limited edition at...$250k.

As much as I hate to admit it, you’re probably right on the volume. With low production of the G29, and the take rate of the coupe historically being 1:7-1:10 coupe:roadster, they’d have to justify this with producing only 250-500 per year.

[BMWGirlFL]

BMW Touring Coupe Concept Talk with Adrian Van Hooydonk

By now, most enthusiasts have seen the incredible BMW Touring Coupe Concept that debuted at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy. The man behind it is Adrian Van Hooydonk, the long standing BMW Group Head of Design. Chatting about the little, brown, modern interpretation of the clown shoe, he offered BMWBLOG plenty of insight.

Where the Z4 Touring Coupe Concept Came From

The BMW Touring Coupe Concept was a bit of a “right car for the right time” situation. BMW already had the underpinnings ready, and with so many visionary concepts already in the works, Van Hooydonk considered the crowd that attends Villa d’Este. “We didn’t want to use every platform, every meeting, to talk about the next ten years. We felt the crowd and public here completely understand cars, they understand car design, they just want their dream to continue.” They thought – correctly, it seems – that this vehicle would accomplish that.

When modifying the Z4’s sheet metal to fit the new Touring Coupe profile, BMW partnered with the same Turin, Italy-based company that helped make the Garmisch concept car recreation. “We knew that if anybody could do it – hand built, handcrafted, complicated shapes – and make it in time into a running prototype…they were the ones,” Van Hooydonk said. “I didn’t know if that was going to go over well, but it did.”

Predictably, inspiration for the Z4 Touring Coupe Concept came mostly from the Z3 M Coupe. It was no contest when comparing prices (and enthusiast reception) between the “bread van” Z3 M Coupe and the fastback Z4 M Coupe. “It’s that kind of maybe controversial look that made it into the classic that it is today,” he says. “Of course, we could have done a fastback coupe here as well. We thought about that. Very quickly. We decided on the bread fan or Shooting Brake architecture. We felt that would make it probably a bit more iconic.”

I think he’s right about that. I can’t imagine the internet falling quite as hard for a more standard coupe design.

Feedback on the Concept

“At least two or three people said they want it…one person sent me a [message] last week saying ‘whatever it is, I’ll take it,'” Van Hooydonk responds. Positive feedback is everywhere for the Touring Coupe Concept, and Domagoj is noticing. “It seemed to fit, let’s say, the location, the event, the type of car passionate people that are here,” he said. We can’t agree more – few cars fit in better at the Concours than the beautiful new Z4 concept.

The Concept isn’t exactly a recent development, according to Van Hooydonk. “This design is something that our California design studio came up with, actually, quite a while ago when we were doing the Z4.” Apparently, this project is something that the team and Van Hooydonk himself were quite passionate about, even making a model version some time ago. After the Touring Coupe Concept became something closer to reality, they got to work making it a little bit more feasible for production.

Touring Coupe Concept Production

Van Hooydonk cites the current 3.0 CSL as a bit of a benchmark for when – or if – the BMW Touring Coupe Concept sees the green light for production. From the original Hommage car that debuted in 2015, it took nearly eight years to actually get a similar vehicle in production. “So it took us a while, but at least we got it done. 50 units, 50 pieces, with this…I don’t know maybe we can do it a bit quicker,” he says regarding the Z4. “But it depends also on the interest.” Regarding volume, you can rest assured that the Z4 Touring Coupe will be highly exclusive. “It will always be a much lower volume than, let’s say, a 3 Series or an X5. But I think it adds something or would add something to the brand.”

As far as concrete plans going forward with the BMW Touring Coupe Concept? Well, there’s not much. “It is a one-off at the moment. But we’ve made the agreement before we set sail for Lake Como that if there’s enough interest, we will take a look at it. And that could be a very low volume version, like 50 cars.”

For America, anyway, that spells big markups – if the vehicle even comes here. So I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Either way – it would be a shame if one of the prettiest modern BMWs never went into production. So cross your fingers and keep saying nice things about it.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/05/22/b...-van-hooydonk/

[jdhiro]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Done a bit more reading on this, it is rumored to be a 50 run limited edition at...$250k.

That would be pretty obnoxious.

BMW totally should make 6-figure sports cars, but slapping a roof and some leather in a Z4 and trying to sell them for $250K is not cool.

[CJ421]

A worldwide 50-unit run would make prices high mainly because there's 50 of them ... seems like BMW doesn't even know they'll make them at all.

What would you all pay for this if it went into regular production?

I think my number is US$90k. BMW didn't mention performance enhancements, so we've got 90% of a Z4 M40i, with upgraded leather and exclusive wheels/paint. I view the solid top as more of a trade than a feature for which I'd pay extra since convertibles are usually more expensive. Even then, I'd be hard-pressed to give up my convertible top.

(Now, if they had an M version with the S58, there is a good chance I'd run to BMW NA with a suitcase of cash ...and statements promising I'll bring the rest of the I-don't-care-what-it-costs later.)

Charles

[Paragon-A]

Just saw this bad boy sitting outside the dealership just now . First time seeing one in person .