The Clownshoe is back, and it looks as special as ever.
As we predicted when BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk teased it earlier this week, the one-off concept that the German brand will present at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2023 is a contemporary interpretation of the classic Clownshoe.
In case you're not au fait with the term, it's the nickname that Bimmer fanatics gave to the E36/8 Z3 M Coupe because of its shape, but it would be better described as a shooting brake, which is how BMW has presented the new car. The G29-based creation is called the BMW Concept Touring Coupe, and it's a coupe version of the Z4 Roadster.
As a one-off design concept for one of the most prestigious Concours events on the planet, the car cannot be sprayed with just any BMW Individual paint, as spectacular as those vibrant colors can be. Instead, the BMW Concept Touring Coupe is coated in Sparkling Lario paintwork, specially created just for this car. Embedded flakes of blue glass in the paint give the grey-brown paint remarkable depth and shine, inspired by Lake Como on the shores of which the Concours is taking place this weekend.
Other lovely details include the unique kidney grilles and several gold accents. Complementing the pronounced rear haunches, sweeping roofline, and sleek profile are a set of exclusive light-allow wheels measuring 20 inches at the front and 21 at the rear. The 20-spoke design calls to mind Alpina products, and since the company is being absorbed by BMW, the correlation works nicely.
In fact, speculation is rife that Alpina could fill the gap between BMW's most luxurious vehicles and Rolls-Royce's cheapest. Time will tell if future one-offs do indeed arrive under the Alpina banner, but the luxurious nature of the cabin suggests it would be a good fit.
Here we find a two-tone color scheme for the dash, with the leather outfitted by Italian entity Poltrona Frau. On top, a dark brown is said to aid concentration while driving. The lower half, in a light saddle brown, represents comfort and warmth. The braided leather straps remind us of the baseball mitt interior offered on the first-generation Audi TT, but that makes it no less intricate or interesting.
Finally, the trunk houses luggage designed by Modena-based Schedoni, consisting of two large weekender bags, a small one, and a garment bag.
BMW fanatics have longed for the return of the Clownshoe, and we're glad that BMW has answered them. We're also glad that BMW is embracing its upper-class consumer base, which surely includes many who would be willing to spend big on a low-volume Bimmer or two. This concept is almost certainly created to gauge interest in production-bound special editions with bespoke bodywork, and we would not be surprised if the automaker introduces more such creations in the coming years.
However, we're a little disappointed that the front end is not more distinctive. We also would have liked a little more muscularity in the definition of the front wheelhouses. This also seems like a missed opportunity to create a one-off G-series M Coupe. After all, M3-sourced upgrades are what made the original Clownshoe such a tantalizing proposition, and since the regular G29 will not spawn a full-fat M version, it would still be exclusive.
Instead, we have “the brand's hallmark six-cylinder engine” in what is likely B58 form. It's a great engine, but it's also pretty common. The S58 from the M4 could have added a little more excitement, and a quad-exit exhaust, functional fender vents, and a wider track would certainly give it more aggression.
However, BMW launched this as a design concept inspired, in part, by the BMW 328 Touring Coupe of 1940 Mille Miglia fame, with subtle influences from the BMW 02 Series Touring models. BMW wanted this car to be classically stylish. BMW wanted to highlight elegance. BMW wanted to imply luxury. Performance is not a chief concern, and if this – or something similar – is ever sold as a road car, the buyer will make the purchase because of how it looks rather than how it drives.
If the reception at Villa d'Este is good enough, perhaps BMW will be motivated to give it another go with an M version later on. Regardless, it's a stunning car that shows Munich can still make a pretty car.
Keyword: BMW Concept Touring Coupe Is A Z4 Shooting Brake For Villa d'Este