The 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este kicks off this weekend, and BMW has once again unveiled a concept car for the prestigious Italian car show. Called the Gran Lusso Coupe, the vehicle was built in partnership with Italian design house Pininfarina. According to BMW, the concept marks the first time the two companies have paired together, and the coupe showcases the best each company has to offer in “style, dynamics, and aesthetics.”
 |
| BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe |
BMW didn’t specify what car the Gran Lusso Coupe is based on, but from the outside it looks like a 7 Series morphed into two-door form. Power comes from a V-12 powerplant, further hinting that its roots stem from BMW’s flagship sedan. That said, the large coupe sits on a long wheelbase, which contributes to its commanding presence, a sharp contrast to the smaller, two-seater BMW Zagato Coupe unveiled at last year’s show. The front end still sports the familiar BMW design cues like the dual-kidney grille and quad-round headlights. Additionally, the Gran Lusso Coupe features the automaker’s Air Breather aerodynamic system, which first debuted on the 4 Series coupe concept.
 |
| BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe Concept |
From the side, the coupe features a sloping roofline, large 21-inch wheels, short overhangs, and the requisite Hofmeister kink. A chrome accent strip engraved with the “Gran Lusso” logo is found between the front fender and door, while a “Pininfarina” badge is affixed immediately behind the Hofmiester kink. The rear end is fairly simple, with a sleek, single-unit taillight bar that wraps around the fender and rectangular exhaust tips integrated into the lower bumper.
 |
| BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe Concept front view |
 |
| BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe Concept left rear view with driver |
Inside, passengers are surrounded in brown leather seating surfaces and a black headliner made from Italian virgin wool. A fixed-glass moonroof cuts across the center of the roof that is also illuminated by LED accent lighting at night. BMW claims the kauri wood accent pieces, which were sourced from New Zealand, are more than 48,000 years old. Other interior trim pieces include black chrome, patterned leather piping on the seats, and a sporty, three-spoke steering wheel.