Every year, the Monterey Car Week delivers a parade of once, concepts and ultra-serving machines. But only a few had people who twisted their neck like the Bovensiepen Zagato. It is even better that we not only have parked on the concept or have parked in the quail-we have achieved an exclusive trip with Andreas Bovensiepen worldwide himself, the man behind the car and the former CEO of Alpina.
A new chapter for the name of the Bovensiepen
For BMW enthusiasts, the name of the Bovensiepen by Alpina is inseparable. The small company in Buchloe was founded by Andreas’ father and led to the modern period of Andreas and built some of the most characteristic performance that was ever made. When BMW Alpina officially acquired Alpina in 2022, many wondered what Andreas would do next. The answer is apparently: a courageous collaboration with Zagato, the legendary Italian coachbuilder.
The car takes the bones of the BMW M4 Cabrio and turns them into something completely different. Carbon fiber body panels, a trademark of “double bubble” and a slimmer silhouette give it the presence with which the standard M4 does not match.
More than an M4 in a fancy suit
At first glance you could think that this is just an M4 in Couture clothing. It is not. Under the bonnet, the confidant S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo-straight-Six-Six rose over 600 hp, which enables it to support its dramatic lines. Top speed? North of 300 km/h.
Inside, it is a mixture of well -known BMW ergonomics with tailor -made details that they distinguish. Imagine less than a production car and more than handmade GT that is aimed at collectors who want something that cannot offer an exhibition space.
Driving with Andreas Bovensiepen
Our journey took place on the winding streets of Pebble Beach, the type of landscape, which feels special. The push in the passenger seat next to Andreas Bovensiepen has added weight. Andreas is not a typical car manager. He is the man who made Alpina a cult favorite under BMW fans -and as a former 24 hours of the Nürburgring winner, he also knows the performance behind the steering wheel. Now he channel this experience in something completely new.
When we rolled through the pines and along the Pacific, Andreas spoke about why projects like these are important. In his words, it is about keeping the art of coachbuilding alive and combining German engineering with Italian creativity. When I heard that it was the long distance of the Zagato long hood, he could not ever be able to specify the car account text.
And the sound? The Akrapovič exhaust gave it a deeper, harder border than the standard -M4 convertible. You could hear the difference immediately. The people turned their heads along the roadside and pulled out their phones – proves that Zagato produces as much attention as moving as they park.
Emotions and cars still go together
Among the dozens of revelations and concepts during the Monterey Car Week stood out the Bovensiepen Zagato because it felt personally. A passion project. A memory that in an era of software-defined cars and EV prototypes there is still room for handmade and emotional space.
And for us there was a chance to drive it – with Andreas Bovensiepen at the wheel – more than just a highlight of the car week. It was an insight into what happens when the inheritance, design and performance collide. Take a look at our exclusive trip with Andreas Bovensiepen in the following Zagato:
