BMW Grand Lusso Coupé Pininfarina concept previewed

The BMW Gran Lusso Coupé Pininfarina, previewed here in a series of teaser shots, will be revealed in full at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'este 2013 show.

Co-designed with Italian car design firm Pininfarina, the coupé is claimed to be "the embodiment of sheer elegance". It continues a design theme that was seen on last year's distinctive Zagato Coupé.

Power comes from a front-mounted V12 engine, most likely the twin-turbo 6.0-litre unit found in current iterations of the 7-series. This unit is rated at 544bhp and 76kgm, which would give the coupé suitably rapid and smooth performance.

The new coupé features typical BMW proportions, including short front and rear overhangs, a long bonnet and a sizeable wheelbase.

Little else has been revealed about the concept's features or specifications, and the interior is yet to be seen. BMW says, however, that the cabin of the coupé demonstrates the "successful combination of modern elegance and luxury".

BMW's Gran Lusso Coupé Pininfarina concept could potentially be the basis for a new generation of BMW 8-series, the last of which rolled off the production line in 1999.

The 8-series was also a front-engined, rear-drive coupé - and it was similarly offered with a V12 engine. Rivals of the time included GTs like the Porsche 928.

The new BMW Grand Lusso Coupé Pininfarina concept will be revealed in full on 24 May.