RUMOR: BMW Concept Touring Coupe Production Unlikely

Don’t miss out on BMW’s limited production.

Do you recall the stunning BMW Concept Touring Coupe that made its debut at the 2023 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este? Unfortunately, it appears that it will only exist as a concept. According to a recent rumor, the tribute to the beloved “Clownshoe” will not be released for production.

According to BMW Blog’s latest report, it appears that the Z4-based coupe will not be receiving a limited production release. Sources close to the company have revealed that after careful deliberation, executives have ultimately scrapped the notion entirely. Consequently, the highly anticipated Concept Touring Coupe will remain an exclusive and unique piece, adding itself to the list of extraordinary BMW concepts that had unfortunately never made their way into mass production.

CarBuzz has made contact with BMW USA to verify and gather more details. We will revise the report upon receiving a response.

The report states that the inspiration for the G29 tribute to the Z3 M Coupe came from a single designer’s desire to envision a Z4 coupe. However, it was not intended for mass production. This appears to be an illogical statement as an individual designer would not hold enough influence to design, produce, and showcase a custom car at the most prestigious concours event in the world. It is important to note that this project has always been endorsed and supported by management as a commendable case study.

The decision by the Munich-based car manufacturer to not move forward with this concept may be due to its lack of profitability at present. This is rather peculiar, especially when taking into account the fact that the BMW M4-based 3.0 CSL was also restricted to just 50 units and had a hefty price tag of $780,000. Additionally, BMW has expressed its desire to produce more distinct vehicles such as the 3.0 CSL and Z4 shooting brake.

According to Adrian van Hooydonk, the Design Director of BMW Group, during an interview with CarBuzz at the unveiling of their latest concept car, there are currently no definitive plans to produce it. He stated, “We made a pact before heading to Lake Como that if there is significant interest, we will consider it.”

It would be detrimental for BMW to jeopardize its hard-earned brand reputation by promptly launching another expensive limited edition model following the success of the 3.0 CSL. Munich cannot be compared to Zuffenhausen, and BMW cars should not be likened to Porsche GT models. While they may attain similar prestige in the future, BMW must first focus on stimulating demand and maintaining a limited supply.

Although not officially confirmed, it is highly improbable that the current G29-era Z4 will be replaced. The market for roadsters and sports cars has been on a decline, causing BMW to shift their priorities towards SUVs and electric vehicles at this time. There is a possibility that we may witness a battery-operated Z4 emerge in the coming years, aiming to compete with the Porsche Boxster EV.

Potentially, a Concept Touring Coupe designed for production would be an ideal farewell for the Z4. In the event that it does not come to fruition, at least BMW has granted our wish for a manual transmission-equipped Z4 M40i, a dream of many enthusiasts for quite some time.