Bovensiepen’s $435K Zagato Coupe: A Radical BMW M4 Reimagined with Italian Flair

Bovensiepen’s Zagato Coupe: A BMW M4 Reimagined

Bovensiepen has introduced an online configurator for its latest creation: the Zagato coupe, a heavily modified BMW M4 that blends Italian design with German engineering. The car features a radically redesigned front end, a signature double-bubble roof, and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission. This powertrain delivers 602 hp (611 PS), enabling a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in just 3.3 seconds.

From Alpina to Bovensiepen: A New Chapter

Following BMW’s full acquisition of Alpina, the former Alpina team, led by Andreas Bovensiepen—son of Alpina founder Burkard Bovensiepen—has ventured into new projects while staying true to their heritage. The Bovensiepen Zagato, unveiled at the 2023 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, marks the company’s first production model. It later proved its performance credentials at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, demonstrating that its style is matched by substance.

Price Tag: Nearly Four BMW M4s

The Bovensiepen Zagato is priced at €369,495 ($435,000), a figure that puts it in a league of its own. For context, a standard BMW M4 in Germany starts at €98,500, while the top-spec M4 Competition reaches €109,600. This means the Zagato costs roughly the equivalent of four standard M4s or more than three M4 Competitions.

Exterior Design: A Bold Departure from BMW Norms

Designed in collaboration with Zagato, the coupe features a striking front-end treatment that draws comparisons to the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro—a design so polarizing that Chevrolet redesigned it shortly after. BMW enthusiasts may also see echoes of the i8 hybrid sports car in the reverse-scooped hood and the way the rear quarter panels wrap around the bumper.

The car’s most distinctive feature is its double-bubble roof, a signature Zagato design element. While Bovensiepen’s name adorns the nose and rear license plate, Zagato’s presence is subtler, limited to a small badge on each front fender. The exterior is further enhanced by over 400 carbon fiber parts, including a full set of carbon panels, applied to the BMW 4-Series platform. This extensive customization process takes over 250 hours to complete.

Interior: Luxury Meets BMW’s 4-Series Roots

Step inside, and the cabin offers a blend of premium materials and familiar BMW ergonomics. While the optional Lavalina full leather treatment and extensive customization options elevate the experience beyond a standard 4-Series cabin, the layout and controls remain distinctly BMW. Bovensiepen has not disclosed the exact donor model, but reports from the 2023 launch suggest it is based on an M4 Competition with its mandatory eight-speed automatic transmission.

The powertrain upgrades include a lightweight titanium Akrapovic exhaust, contributing to the car’s 602 hp output, a significant increase over the M4 Competition’s 523 hp (530 PS).

Availability and Ordering

Orders for the Bovensiepen Zagato are now open via the company’s online configurator. However, with a price tag of $435,000, this car is firmly aimed at a niche, ultra-wealthy clientele. For those considering this purchase, it’s worth noting that BMW’s recent acquisition of Alpina has not deterred the Bovensiepen team from pushing boundaries—though they remain rooted in their performance heritage.

"The Bovensiepen Zagato is a testament to the fusion of Italian design and German engineering, offering a level of exclusivity and performance that few cars can match."