Autocar UK has driven the striking new Bovensiepen Zagato, the debut model from the Bovensiepen family’s post-Alpina venture. This carbon-bodied, Zagato-styled coupe reimagines the BMW M4 Competition Convertible platform into a rare, handcrafted grand tourer limited to just 99 examples.
Clad in just 12 lightweight carbon-fibre panels (weighing a mere 50 kg), the body eliminates the convertible roof mechanism for a sleek, pillarless profile with signature double-bubble roof. The result is a dramatically elongated bonnet, muscular haunches, and an understated yet exotic presence that feels far more special than any standard 4 Series.
Under the bonnet sits a tuned 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six (S58) producing 602 bhp and 516 lb ft — up from the donor M4’s figures thanks to an Akrapovic full titanium exhaust, revised intake, and ECU work. Paired with the eight-speed automatic and xDrive, it delivers a claimed 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds and a top speed beyond 186 mph. On the Salzburgring, Autocar found it fast yet refined, with Bilstein dampers offering extra compliance for a more GT-focused ride than the sharp-edged M4. It prioritises effortless torque, composure, and long-distance poise over outright playfulness.
The interior showcases lavish Lavalina leather and Alcantara, hand-finished over hundreds of hours. The airy, pillarless cabin and upgraded rear screen enhance the sense of occasion.
Priced from around £322,000 (€369,495), it positions itself as a credible, opulent rival to the Aston Martin DB12 S — a collector’s curio that blends M-car hardware with Italian coachbuilding flair. It’s not a track weapon, but an indecently pretty, torquey, and surprisingly usable GT that revives the spirit of “fine driving.”
Autocar UK’s conclusion: In a sea of lookalike supercars, the Bovensiepen Zagato stands out as a beautifully resolved, genuinely desirable machine. The Bovensiepens have gone back to the future — and nailed it. A stunning debut that owners will envy for years to come.