Every time we see Pininfarina->ke69 make the news with a new concept it's developing, we can't help but get excited about what the Italian coachbuilder has in store for us.
Well, it looks like Pininfarina is preparing something; a concept, it appears, that will make its debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este later this month.
The concept, which has been dubbed as the one-off Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe, was designed and collaborated with BMW->ke178 and comes as a notable successor to the BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe that BMW and Zagato also introduced at last year's event.
While the two companies said nothing about it, it has been rumored that the concept is in fact a preview version of a possible 8-Series luxury car. We're jut hopping it will become reality!
Updated 05/31/2013: BMW and Pininfarina have released a video of Fabio Filippini and Karim Habib outlining the design process and showing how the two companies worked together to create a car that was both a Bimmer and a Pininfarina.
Updated 05/24/2013: BMW has unveiled the official details, images and specs on the new Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept.
Updated 05/7/2013: After revealing the official details on the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, BMW also unveiled a first video revealing some details on the concept's design. Enjoy!
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept.
2013 BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept
- Make: Array
- Model: 2013 BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept
- Engine/Motor: V12
- Horsepower: 544
- Torque: 553
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
The new Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé features a front end rather unusual for a BMW model, not very surprising considering it blends elements from two of the greatest companies out there.
The concept received a hallmark double-kidney grille with the "kidneys" angled towards the road and made from a combination of matte-sheen aluminum on the bipartite kidney grille and high-gloss black behind it. There is also a new pair of road-focused headlights with twin circular look and the usual V-shaped bonnet.
A sporty front apron will bring the concept closer to the road, while an one-piece air intake will provide more air for the V-12 engine.
If more needed, when looking from the side it becomes obvious you are looking at a luxury vehicle. There is a high shoulder line extending almost horizontally along the entire side of the car and a long roof line that flows elegantly into the rear. For an even more elegant look the concept received a matte-sheen embellishment behind the front wheel, the usual Hofmeister kink and a very cool V12 logo.
When looking from the rear you will notice specially-designed tail lights in the usual BMW L-shape design and within a high-grade trim in matte-sheen aluminum.
The concept sits on 21-inch wheels in five-spoke design and painted in a combination of matte-sheen aluminum, black and black chrome.
Interior
The elegant look of the exterior will be combined with the luxury offered by the interior. Pininfarina combined a special color concept, specially-selected materials and geometrical details in the doors, center console and dashboard binnacle in an attempt to accentuate the sporty character of the four-seater luxury coupe.
The interior has been designed to offer both the driver and the passengers the best driving experience ever. Pininfarina combined the high-grade leather from the Foglizzo leather factory – in black and a light shade of Tobacco Brown – with metal highlights in black chrome and a special kauri wood.
Drivetrain
BMW offered no details on the car's specifications just yet, but they did revealed the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept will get a powerful V-12 engine.
When can I drive one?
Most likely never, but rumors suggest the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept can preview a possible BMW 8-Series.
Competitors
If built, the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept will enter a market with tons of luxury four-seater coupe. Our favorite: the Aston Martin Vanquish.
It is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that delivers a total of 565 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and a peak torque of 457 pound-feet at 5,500 rpm. As a result, the car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 186 mph.
If you have some more money and care for even more speed then you should opt for the Bentley Continental GT Speed. it is powered by a 6-liter twin turbocharged W12 engine that delivers a total of 616 horsepower at 6000 rpm and a peak torque of 590 pound-feet. This amount of power is enough to deliver supercar performance numbers: a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph
Conclusion
We think the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé Concept is a nice design exercise for BMW, but unfortunately it will remain just that: a concept. Still, we have to admit it would have been nice to see a bunch of this cool concept on the street.