We’re witnessing the birth of a new automotive marque this weekend with the introduction of the Bovensiepen Zagato. Unveiled at the Fuori Concorso on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy; this sleek carbon-bodied GT car is based on the BMW M4 convertible and fuses German engineering with Italian style. If the name Bovensiepen doesn’t ring a bell, it is in reference to the late founder of Alpina Bukard Bovensiepen, the once-independent BMW tuning house, now fully absorbed into the Bavarian automaker. Now, sons, Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen, are taking the next big step, and what better way than to do it with Milan-based Atelier Zagato, a company synonymous with coachbuilding and crafting some of the most stunning cars ever made.
The Bovensiepen Zagato rides on the bones of the (G83) M4 convertible, but besides the daytime running lights upfront, you’d be hard-pressed to recognize it with the absence of BMW’s oversized kidney grille, now replaced by a black stainless steel mesh, flanked by sculpted air intakes. Details like double-bubble roof and sweeping proportions are unmistakably Zagato. Every panel is bespoke, and the air duct in the front fenders and aggressive diffuser help with aerodynamics. Even the trunk lid has been recontoured to support the subtle ducktail spoiler. Bespoke 20-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels and quad-Akrapoviç exhaust pipes complement the coach-built bodywork.
“Our goal is to build cars for connoisseurs and enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect symbiosis of design and technology.” – Andreas Bovensiepen, CEO, Bovensiepen Automobiles.
Under the hood, you get familiar firepower from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder mill, now tuned for 602 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That is a significant leap over the standard BMW M4 convertible’s 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. As a result, the sprint to 60 mph happens in 3.3 seconds, whereas top speed is 186 mph. Despite the big speed, this is no track weapon. While an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard, custom Bilstein Damptronic dampers all help with this car’s grand touring intent.
“It was a team effort driven by the excitement of the project, the idea of launching the first car of a new luxurious brand, and the fact that we were bringing together the DNA of two families.” – Andrea Zagato, third-generation President of Zagato.
Inside, the M4 architecture remains, but with an ambience that has been significantly elevated. Each Bovensiepen Zagato cabin undergoes 130 hours of customization, with full Lavalina leather, Alcantara, and in a near-endless palette of colors. The entire build for each car, with its 400 unique components, takes over 250 hours to put together. Exact pricing and exact production numbers have not been announced yet, but with the Zagato lineage and exclusivity, expect it to cost more than the Alpina B4 GT’s $200k price, sold exclusively as a coupe. Deliveries of the Bovensiepen Zagato will begin in the second quarter of 2026.
Source: Zagato, Bovensiepen
