Contest elegance of Villa d'Este has shown the world a unique coupe made by BMW in collaboration with the Milanese Zagato design studio. Model whose body was handmade aluminum, combines two powerful philosophies and presents a new approach to sports segment.

Elegance competitions are those events in that automotive forget sheets, horsepower and figures to focus exclusively on the idea of automotive beauty. Are exposed only truly special cars, prototypes and special models, produced in limited editions.

In Italy, Lake Como "Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este" was and remains one of the most exclusive meeting of car enthusiasts worldwide. Organized since 1929, elegance competition debut as a demonstration of mastery of Italian bodybuilders, providing a playground suitable for legends like Castagna and Pininfarina. Exhibits were chosen very carefully and only a limited number of cars each year was accepted to enter in the contest.

Since 2000, BMW became the patron of the event and one of the guarantees of continuity. Since 1949, Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este became rather sporadic, and in 1998, at only the fifth organization in 40 years, the contest was threatened with extinction. In the past German company was closely related to collaborations with Italian since 1939, when the model 328 MM Coupe Mille Miglia win the race for which it was designed. In the 50s, also with Italian help, BMW returned to Milan to buy licenses, tools, and the idea of production of the Isetta. For 2012, BMW Zagato is a tribute to Italian car-body creators, from first to last screw.


BMW Coupé Zagato

Body was performed manually, as in past collaborations each element is closely dictated by technical platform requirements. In search of a "Vmax concept" -approved street car and aerodynamic optimized for high speed- BMW has kept all the defining proportions while allowing the Italians all the extravagant details.

The most visible change is found in the ceiling identified by the two bumps - doppia Gobbi - designed to provide more space if the two passengers wear a helmet. Also, as the other characteristic Zagato coupe, improves drag coefficient and increases torsional rigidity. At detail level, the specific form of BMW grille is made of Z's.

Both Zagato and BMW, for the car rear refer to a common inspiration. Professor Kamm aerodynamic studies of nearly vertical cut rear that history shows both the 1940 BMW 320 Kamm and the Alfa SZ and TZ. The solution became known in Italy with the name "Coda Tronca" and was often used by Zagato in the early 1960s. The Kamm is part of a design approach aimed to aerodynamic efficiency. The degree of air friction is thus reduced without having a tear-shaped back. Zagato's BMW Coupe does not need the spoiler and the glass surface is marked by clearly drawn in the spirit of Italian body builder.

The red color was special developed and applied for this model and 19-inch wheels have a shape of a propeller plane, an early aviation defining detail of the two companies.

The interior is replete with manufactured items and the highest quality materials. In the trunk were placed two exclusive accessories: a bag for hats and a travel bag, unique by the two specific swelling.

Italians are responsible for creation of over 200 unique or limited edition models (in over a century) based on different technical platforms sport.

via:stylereport.ro