These BMWs Were Designed by Italian Design Legends | Carscoops

      BMW is honoring the influence of Italian design on its history with a special exhibition in Munich.

      On May 29, 2025, the BMW Museum will present a captivating exhibit featuring models designed in Italy.

      This display will include concepts and custom creations designed by notable figures such as Giugiaro, Michelotti, and Gandini, as well as designs from renowned Italian studios like Zagato and Pininfarina.

      For enthusiasts of German engineering infused with Italian style, it's evident that numerous BMW models have been shaped by Italian designers. Now, the Bavarian carmaker is celebrating this intriguing segment of its history with a new exhibition at the BMW Museum in Munich.

      The exhibition will highlight several iconic concept cars and coachbuilt specials that have influenced the brand’s design evolution over the years.

      Titled “Belle Macchine: Italian Automotive Design at BMW,” the exhibit will showcase 23 historic vehicles, complemented by design sketches from the BMW Archive and other related displays. These vehicles represent a broad timeline from the 1930s to the 2010s, emphasizing the impact of Italian design on BMW’s aesthetic transformation.

      The cars included in the exhibit were crafted by some of the most significant figures in automotive design, such as Giorgetto Giugiaro, Giovanni Michelotti, and Marcello Gandini. BMW has also collaborated with celebrated Italian design houses like Zagato, Pininfarina, Bertone, and Italdesign to realize these creative visions.

      A highlight of the exhibition is the BMW Garmisch, designed by Gandini. This model significantly influenced the design of BMW’s original 3-Series and 5-Series sedans and is an intriguing part of the collection. Although the original concept has been lost, BMW has recently made a faithful recreation, which Gandini approved before his passing.

      The exhibit will also include rare classics like the 1959 BMW 3200 Michelotti Vignale coachbuilt prototype, a quintessential example of mid-century automotive elegance. Other significant models are the 1966 BMW 3000 V8 sedan (known as “Glaserati”) and the 1969 BMW 2800 GTS Frua concept, both designed by Pietro Frua.

      Focusing on more recent history, the exhibition will highlight the 1991 BMW Nazca M12 supercar, developed by Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign. Visitors will also see the 2012 BMW Zagato Roadster, based on the earlier Z4, and the stunning 2013 BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe showcased at Villa d’Este.

      While the exhibition primarily concentrates on historical pieces, BMW will also feature modern concepts inspired by Italian design principles. Noteworthy examples include the 2008 M1 Hommage, a unique tribute to the iconic Giugiaro-designed M1 supercar, and the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept, which references the “Italian-flavored” Neue Klasse sedan from 1961. The Vision Neue Klasse concept signifies BMW’s forthcoming design language, set to be integrated into all its production models in the years ahead.