Few concept cars combine the essence of both brands as well as the BMW Zagato Coupé. Unveiled at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2012, this unique creation combined the technical precision of BMW with the unmistakable Italian flair of Zagato. While the coupe built on the bones of the E89 Z4, it introduced something far more sculptural and exclusive. Every surface, every opening and every line reflected the collaboration’s dual mission: to honor BMW’s design language while channeling Zagato’s tradition of handcrafted, aerodynamically refined beauty. The result was a grand tourer that looked just as fast when standing still as it did when moving – a design study that combined tradition and experimentation in equal measure.
Immerse yourself in the style of the Zagato Coupé
Perhaps the most subtle changes were at the front, where the Zagato Coupe almost screams like a Z4. The E89’s grille was replaced with a Z-shaped grille that serves as a subtle, forward-facing emblem. Notably, the grilles featured matt painted surrounds, a feature later used on BMW production models in the M Performance family (M240i, etc.). The hood gets more pronounced hood bulges and air vents like the E90 M3, although the BMW round piece retains its old position. The headlights are also unique. They fit seamlessly into the front three-quarter panel, whereas on the E89 Z4 they simply ended at a body line. On the side, the Z emblem replaces the Z4’s traditional badges. Zagato also fitted unique five-spoke wheels, which unfortunately never went into production. The wheel “artfully combines concave and convex surfaces to achieve a light, dynamic and solid expression,” says Zagato designer Norihiko Harada.
BMW went to great lengths to ensure that the Zagato coupe was a real eye-catcher at its premiere in Villa d’Este. This also included the paint, a color that, according to BMW, “ranges from almost black to bright red.” The wife of Zagato’s chief executive, Marella Rivolta-Zagato, says the paint gave the car the look “like a can of Coke that had just been taken out of the fridge”. Ultimately, the color is called Rosso Vivace and was applied in six wafer-thin shades. There was also a primer and a layer of silver metallic paint.
Party in the background
The rear three-quarter view is arguably the area where the Zagato coupe thrives best. The changes are more noticeable here, largely thanks to a double-bubble roof design that replaces the Z4’s folding hardtop. “Zagato’s design language emphasizes functional shapes such as the distinctive rear fender,” says Norihiko. A transparent rear panel highlighted the car’s distinctive Kamm-tail (or K-tail) layout. It’s a design element that comes from it Coda Tronca (Shortback) bodies, made famous by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato – and, even more unknown, the BMW 328 Kamm Coupé. This design offers two advantages. Perhaps secondary to the great looks, BMW praised “very efficient aerodynamics” due to the Kamm design. In the middle of the whole thing is a roundel above two unique exhaust tips.
Many of the quotes above come from Steve Saxty’s incredible book: BMW by design. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we can’t recommend the book enough. For further insights and exclusive images, secure a copy for yourself. Or browse his other BMW books – they all offer unique insights you won’t find anywhere else, not even online.
