BMW has just debuted the BMW Zagato Coupe at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

BMW may be based in Bavaria, but some of its notable designs flowed from the hands of Italian designers who were responsible for the looks of the BMW 3200 Michelotti Vignale (1959), BMW 700 (1959), BMW 3200 CS Bertone (1962) and BMW M1 (1978).

The videos below show the process and results of the design collaboration between BMW and the Italian designers at Zagato.

The venerable Milanese coachbuilder Zagato and BMW have unveiled a unique driving experience in the luxury class: The BMW Zagato Coupé.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este will once again host a spectacular world premiere in 2012 and, in so doing, build on its tradition as a gathering of the industry’s leading coachbuilders. The premiere in question will see the time-honoured Milanese coachbuilder Zagato team up with BMW to unveil the result of a unique collaboration: the BMW Zagato Coupé.

Zagato has worked in close collaboration to create an exciting and emotionally charged coupé in the finest tradition of automotive workmanship. The BMW Zagato Coupé embodies the unbridled fascination of cars and fuses the design DNA of the two companies into a fresh and desinctive whole. This one-off model … CONTINUED

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is celebrating its world premiere at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing (23 April – 2 May 2012) and the rear-end of the car clearly bears the eDrive emblem for the new technology. In future, the designation eDrive will identify the drive technology for all electric and plug-in hybrid cars from BMW i.

BMW eDrive comprises the components of the electric drivetrain: the electric motor developed in-house by BMW, the lithium-ion battery, and finally the intelligent motor management system. This technology ensures that electromobility with BMW eDrive offers a unique experience. This is because the full torque of the electric motor is available from a standing start and the acceleration unfolds continuously in thoroughbred electric vehicles until the top speed is attained. … CONTINUED

We’ve shown you photos of the BMW i8 Spyder Concept, now see it in motion in its first videos. Inside you’ll find footage of the i8 in driving action as well as exterior and interior design clips.

The just unveiled BMW i8 Concept Spyder naturally calls for a comparison to its open-air sibling. It’s an interesting comparison for several reasons. Seeing both concepts shows the differences between both cars/concepts but also shows some progress BMW has made in the development of the Concept i8. At first sight, the i8 Spyder looks even more focused and ‘mean’ than the i8 Coupe. Part of the reason for this is that the i8 Spyder is 15 cm or 6 inches shorter than the i8 Coupe (see full specs below). Being an open top car however results in a weight disadvantage of 150 kg or 330 lbs.

Both the i8 Coupe and the i8 Spyder have gullwing/butterfly doors, and both will retain this for series production (as seen … CONTINUED

Introducing the BMW i8 Spyder hybrid sports car concept! The BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is an open-top two-seater embodying a form of personal mobility with equal sporting and emotional appeal.

Under the banner of its sub-brand BMW i, the BMW Group is developing a range of purpose-built vehicle concepts and complementary mobility services which meet the changing needs of customers and redefine the understanding of personal mobility. As well as adopting intelligent technologies and innovative design, BMW i is pursuing an all-embracing approach defined to a significant degree by sustainability throughout the value chain.

Following the presentation of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept, the BMW Group introduces the BMW i8 Concept Spyder to the mix. This third BMW i model embodies the … CONTINUED

The BMW i8 Spyder Concept has been leaked ahead of the official release which will come very soon and ahead of its premiere at Auto China 2012 in Beijing next month.

Check back soon for more photos and details on the i8 Spyder Concept!

The M135i Concept has debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motorshow. It previews the upcoming M135i, the next vehicle which will join the ranks of BMW’s new M Performance vehicle lineup (in addition to the already revealed M550d and X5/X6 M50d). It also represents the first petrol/gasoline M Performance model. If that’s not enough firsts, this concept is also the first official look at the F21 3-door hatchback.

No specs have been released on the M135i yet, but BMW has printed that it employs a straight six-cylinder petrol power plant featuring M Performance Twin Power Turbo technology with a power output of more than 300 hp.

For the original BMW press release on the M135i Concept, see http://f20.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652925

The M135i Concept was introduced as part of BMW’s DTM presentation, … CONTINUED

Interview with the designer of the BMW i3, Richard Kim.

The i3 began life as the Megacity electric project car, but the concept evolved into a purely electric runabout that would be configurable, when it went on sale in 2013, with a gasoline-burning, 3-cylinder range extender.

Without an engine up front — the range extender is in the rear — the hood area could become smaller and the vehicle higher as a wide battery pack on the floor became the key element determining the vehicle’s shape. Computer-generated sketches of the innards of the i3 shown on Wednesday, depicting the passenger module sitting atop the drive module, suggested a stagecoach without horses.

Mr. Kim and his colleagues were charged with making this tall and somewhat gawky form into something that … CONTINUED