BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe debuts at Villa d’Este
BMW and Pininfarina unveiled the V12-powered Gran Lusso Coupe at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, blending German engineering with Italian design flair.
BMW and Pininfarina presented the Gran Lusso Coupe as a one-off concept at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, marking a rare collaboration between the German manufacturer and the renowned Italian design house. The car, a large two-door coupé, was created as an exploration of ultra-luxury grand touring, with BMW’s engineering underpinning a body and interior shaped by Pininfarina’s hand.
Exterior design by Pininfarina
The Gran Lusso Coupe’s exterior combines BMW’s trademark double-kidney grille and twin circular headlight motif with Pininfarina’s emphasis on clean, horizontal lines. A single, gently rising crease runs from the headlamps to the rear, giving the car a stretched, low-slung profile. The rear, in contrast to current BMW production models, features slim, three-dimensional LED tail lights and a continuous light signature across the boot. Aluminium and chrome details highlight the concept’s luxury brief without overt ornamentation.
Interior: Italian materials and craftsmanship
Inside, the Gran Lusso Coupe showcases Italian craftsmanship with materials rarely seen in automotive interiors. The seats and surfaces are trimmed in Foglizzo leather, while the roof lining is made from Italian virgin wool in a bespoke Prince of Wales check. Wood trim is sourced from a single piece of kauri wood, supplied by Riva 1920, and is claimed to be over 48,000 years old. The dashboard integrates a Bang & Olufsen audio system, adding to the sense of exclusivity.
V12 power and technical details
BMW confirmed that the Gran Lusso Coupe is powered by a V12 petrol engine, but did not disclose technical figures at the event. The powertrain is expected to be related to the 6.0-litre V12 found in the 760Li, though the concept’s focus remains on design and luxury rather than outright performance. No production plans were announced, and BMW described the car as a design exercise rather than a preview of a future model.
- Exterior: Pininfarina design, BMW grille and lights, horizontal lines
- Interior: Foglizzo leather, virgin wool headliner, ancient kauri wood trim
- Engine: BMW V12 petrol, figures undisclosed
Position among BMW concepts
The Gran Lusso Coupe stands apart from BMW’s regular concept cars by carrying the Pininfarina badge alongside BMW’s. While the car’s proportions and V12 engine echo the spirit of the classic BMW 8 Series, BMW made no suggestion of a production revival at the time. The concept’s unveiling at Villa d’Este placed it among the most exclusive design studies in BMW’s recent history, alongside models such as the later Concept M8 Gran Coupe.
For those interested in BMW’s direction with large coupés, the Gran Lusso Coupe can be seen as a precursor to later models and concepts, including theConcept M8 Gran Coupe shown at Geneva in 2018.
