A Hidden BMW is Concealed Within This New Coupe by the Founders of Alpina | Carscoops

A Hidden BMW is Concealed Within This New Coupe by the Founders of Alpina | Carscoops

      The new Bovensiepen Zagato coachbuilt special is making its world debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

      The founders of Alpina are introducing a luxury GT under the Bovensiepen name following BMW's acquisition. This coachbuilt GT features a carbon fiber body that fuses Bavarian performance with Italian design heritage. Deliveries of the M4-based model are set to begin in late Q2 2026, with pricing details to be announced later this year.

      At first glance, when we spotted the profile of this new creation, we were slightly puzzled. Is it a heavily modified Mustang? A modern BMW 8-Series Coupe with a unique twist? In reality, it is the Bovensiepen Zagato, a coachbuilt GT derived from the BMW M4 Coupe, which is having its world premiere at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza this weekend.

      If the name Bovensiepen sounds familiar, it should, especially to BMW enthusiasts. The family behind it are the founders of Alpina, the esteemed performance brand that BMW fully integrated in 2022. Apparently, the Buchloe-based family could not completely step away from creating fast, luxurious vehicles. So, under their own family name, they have initiated a new brand with the ambition of becoming a “manufacturer of exceptional automobiles that embody the concept of fine driving.” No pressure there.

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      Their inaugural creation is this coachbuilt GT coupe you see before you, designed in collaboration with the legendary Italian design firm Zagato. This partnership alone feels like a concept sketch brought to reality.

      “It was a collaborative effort fueled by the excitement of the project, the idea of launching the first car of a new luxury brand, and the fact that we were merging the DNA of two families… When you amalgamate two DNAs, the outcome should be a strengthened DNA,” states Andrea Zagato, the third-generation President of Zagato.

      A Familiar Platform in Disguise

      The Bovensiepen Zagato proudly sports its signature double-bubble roof, one of Zagato’s most recognized styling features. However, it’s difficult to detect any shared panels with the M4 donor car. The design presents a blend of influences, featuring a front and rear that recall some elements from the now-defunct i8, combined with subtle Alpina-like touches. A closer look at the taillights reveals a thin lighting signature that loosely resembles Alpina’s well-known striping. The 20-inch wheels also appear to nod to that heritage.

      Overall, the design is sleek, though the front especially seems a bit generic. Elegant, yes, but not particularly memorable. Nonetheless, they have eliminated the M4’s double-coffin grille, which we can consider a positive change.

      The entire body is nearly entirely made of carbon fiber, which helps to offset some of the added coachwork and customization. Even so, the final curb weight is 1,895 kg (4,178 lbs), significantly more than the base M4’s 1,775 kg (3,913 lbs).

      Inside the Bubble

      Upon entering, the core layout of the M4 is evident, but it has been updated with a blend of custom materials and colors. The displayed example features a deep blue interior, but customization is key here. Bovensiepen states that customers can choose from 16 standard leather colors, 45 shades of Alcantara, and even more options through a full bespoke program.

      Power, with Extra Flavor

      Interestingly, Bovensiepen has not revealed which version of the M4 serves as the base for this vehicle, nor have they specified whether buyers will have a choice between manual or automatic transmission or if it will be rear- or all-wheel drive.

      What is known is that the engine is the M4’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, extensively modified to produce 611 hp (449 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. This is a notable increase from the standard M4’s 480 hp and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft). Despite being 120 kg (265 lbs) heavier than the standard M4, the Bovensiepen GT achieves a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) sprint in just 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed “over 300 km/h” (186 mph), according to its creators.

      Additionally, there’s a titanium Akrapovic exhaust that weighs only 22 kg (49 lbs), around 40 percent lighter than a traditional system. The suspension features specially developed Damptronic dampers from Bilstein, tuned specifically for what Bovensiepen describes as the “Gran Turismo” driving experience. Drivers can switch between Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus modes.

      When Can I Buy It?

      In all honesty, for most of us, the answer is: you can’t. Following its debut at Villa d’Este, Bovensiepen intends to proceed with

A Hidden BMW is Concealed Within This New Coupe by the Founders of Alpina | Carscoops

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A Hidden BMW is Concealed Within This New Coupe by the Founders of Alpina | Carscoops

The new Bovensiepen Zagato coachbuilt special is set to make its world debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.