Tuesday 28th May 2013

BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe

Villa d'Este concept takes BMW a step towards the opulent

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Now we all know BMW concepts, when they make production, hit the showrooms with relatively few cosmetic changes. It's fairly guaranteed the X4 will closely resemble the X4concept and ditto the 6 Series Gran Coupe and Gran Coupe concept; fingers crossed, then, that the same will happen with the Gran Lusso Coupe.

A more elegant look than regular Beemers

A collaboration between BMW and Pininfarina, the Gran Lusso potentially previews a luxurious two-door coupe to rival cars like the Bentley Continental GT. It's also worth noting the reveal of the Gran Lusso comes a fortnight after the new Mercedes S-Class launch, which will feature a coupe variant in its range to replace the CL. Coincidence?

It has been unveiled at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza in Italy, the same location as chosen by BMW for the Z4-based Zagato Coupe concept last year. Similarly to that concept, the Gran Lusso combines familiar BMW themes with the more rarefied styling touches offered by a design house.

So the prominent kidney grille, twin circular headlights and driver-focused dashboard are easily spotted, for example. But the Gran Lusso also features more dramatic, Pininfarina-inspired touches such as the sharp creases in the bodywork, including one swage line that runs from the front wheel to the rear light clusters. A similar technique is employed around the sill to narrow the perceived width of the Gran Lusso.

From behind, the Gran Lusso is dominated by a strip of lights that accentuate its width and, according to BMW, 'lend the BMW L-shape a slender, almost filigree interpretation'. Strange, we were thinking exactly the same thing... The design of the lights also allows air to flow through them and has slight hints of the 328 Hommage concept.

Suitably sumptuous inside as well as out

As with the exterior styling, the Gran Lusso's interior appears very much BMW fare with some concept car flourishes. Or rather Pininfarina accentuates 'the sporty character of the interior with a fine instinct for cutting-edge and elegant details alike'. So whilst the centre console is recognisable in its layout, its adorned with wood that has been preserved in a New Zealand swamp for 48,000 years. Its called Kauri wood and its grain allows it to change colour through gold, red and brown. Not available on a 1 Series options list any time soon...

Further opulent material choices include 'finest Italian virgin wool' for the headlining and leather from Foglizzo in 'a light shade of Tobacco Brown'. It all adds up to a suitably sumptuous cabin, and one that doesn't appear too far from production reality.

BMW hasn't released any mechanical details about the Gran Lusso, apart from those that can be seen on the car. It has 'V12' badges on the C-pillar, implying its powered by the same 545hp twin-turbo 6.0-litre unit as powers the 760Li.

The Gran Lusso represents the first time BMW and Pininfarina have ever worked together on a project. If this is indicative of future designs, we say let the partnership continue!

[neil_bmw]

I dont like the front lights but other than that, looks like a better effort than some of the recent disasters.

Edited to add: Looking again, i actually dont like the new style front bumper / spoiler / whateverthatissupposedtobe either...

Edited by neil_bmw on Tuesday 28th May 10:38