BMW has a longstanding custom of touring to the annual Villa d’Este Concours d’Magnificence — which it sponsors — to unveil a one-off idea. This 12 months’s version of the occasion is across the nook, and the model gave us an early have a look at what it is bringing to Lake Como.
Posting on Instagram, BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec printed a preview picture that he captioned “the sky is the restrict.” It reveals a pointy crease that seemingly runs down the mannequin’s passenger-side quarter panel. His caption means that we’re taking a look at a convertible, however we’ll must be affected person to be taught extra. What’s seemingly sure is that nothing in BMW’s present vary of fashions seems just like the idea.
A lot of the design research that BMW has dropped at Villa d’Este in current reminiscence hint their roots to historic automobiles. In 2023, the corporate confirmed the Z4-based Idea Touring Coupé created as a contemporary tackle the Z3-based Clown Shoe coupe. We have additionally seen ideas impressed by the unique Mini, the 2002, the three.0 CSL, and the M1, amongst a number of others. On one hand, this development would possibly level us in the proper course; BMW has a number of emblematic convertibles to revisit on its résumé. Then again, there’s nothing that appears fairly like this one.
Whereas that is pure hypothesis, one choice is a contemporary tackle a Z automobile. The primary Z was the Z1, which made its debut in 1987 however did not enter manufacturing till 1989. It had funky doorways that slid down into the rocker panels. Or, how in regards to the Z8? This beautiful, 507-inspired limited-edition roadster made its debut within the 1999 James Bond movie “The World is Not Sufficient,” so it is turning 25 this 12 months (though deliveries did not begin till later). In fact, we’re not discounting the chance that we’re taking a look at one thing else fully. As Dukec put it: Keep tuned.
The 2024 Villa d’Este Concours d’Magnificence opens its doorways on Could 24, and extra particulars about BMW’s idea will emerge quickly.
