Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

BMW + Pininfarina? Gran Lusso Coupe wraps German engineering in Italian styling

Stephen Edelstein
By

In the car world, fastidious German and emotional Italian automakers are about as far apart as can be, but when they join forces, great things can happen.

BMW is taking the wraps off the Gran Lusso Coupe, its V12-powered grand touring tour de force with styling by celebrated Italian firm Pininfarina.

Pininfarina is known for making flashy concept cars like the Sergio from the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, and for shaping classic sports cars like the Cisitalia 202 and nearly every Ferrari built since 1951.

So what did Pininfarina come up with for BMW?

Related

The brief for the Gran Lusso was to create a car that could take BMW into a new realm of exclusivity. A large, traditional two-door coupe, that has us thinking of the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class and Bentley Continental GT, is a good way to do that.

While it does sort of look like it’s been dropped on its roof, the Gran Lusso’s flattened profile gives it an elongated, sleek look. In profile, the canted front end brings the E12 5 Series to mind, although Pininfarina’s designers probably didn’t intend that.

Whether you like the Lusso’s flat shape or not, there’s no disputing that it is a BMW. Signature styling elements abound, including the twin kidney grille, “Hofmesiter kink” in the rear window, and a swooping line that begins at the strip of trim on the front fenders, tying the Gran Lusso to the production 6 Series.

BMW says the beady-eyed headlights are intently focused on the road, and they’re 100 percent LED. The equally elongated taillights are set in matte-sheen aluminum trim for extra dazzle.

The interior is a bit more conventional. The steering wheel, shifter, and resolutely horizontal dashboard all look similar to what one would find in a production BMW, although the company says all of the controls are slightly angle toward the driver.

BMW didn’t have much to say about what is underneath the Gran Lusso’s Italian clothing, other than that the engine is a V12. Presumably, it’s the 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged unit that produces 535 horsepower in the 760i sedan.

While a 7 Series-sized coupe like the Gran Lusso would be a logical addition to BMW’s lineup, this car is just a styling exercise. It will make its public debut at the 2013 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, but won’t ever debut in showrooms.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more