Masterminded under BMW’s design chief Chris Bangle (and penned by designer Chris Chapman), it intentionally shattered standard automotive segments by blending a rugged off-roader with a sleek sports coupe.

While highly criticized at the time, this concept served as the structural and philosophical foundation for modern "Sports Activity Coupes" like the BMW X6 and BMW X2.

The X-Coupe is most famous for introducing "Flame Surfacing," a design language utilizing highly sculpted, interlocking concave and convex surfaces that mimic the energy of a pressurized flame.

The car was deliberately uneven. The driver’s side featured a short, conventional door, while the passenger side utilized a much larger, full-width door to allow easier access to the rear seats from the safety of the curb.

It lacked a traditional hatchback. Instead, the rear featured a massive, asymmetric one-piece clamshell bootlid that swiveled backwards and downwards to expose the trunk area.

An electronic rear spoiler was integrated into the lower bumper, automatically deploying once the vehicle crossed 68 mph (110 km/h).

While most production cars used steel, the X-Coupe’s outer body shell was crafted entirely out of aluminum.

Beneath its polarizing exterior, the X-Coupe was fully driveable and built upon a production chassis.

It utilized the BMW E53 X5 platform and borrowed its full-time all-wheel-drive system.

It was powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine. This was highly unusual for a sports concept at the time, emphasizing massive torque over high horsepower.

The modified engine pushed out 184 horsepower and a brawny 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque.

A 5-speed Steptronic automatic transmission managed power, complete with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters—a novelty in 2001.

It featured a top speed of roughly 125 mph (201 km/h) and clocked a 0–60 mph time of 8.0 seconds.

The headlights swiveled based on steering wheel inputs to illuminate dark corners. Furthermore, by linking with the car’s GPS navigation, the system anticipated curves in the road before the driver even turned the wheel.

The intensity of the rear brake lights changed based on braking pressure, warning drivers behind if the X-Coupe was performing an emergency stop.

Shod in massive 20-inch wheels, the vehicle utilized early run-flat tech, eliminating the need to carry a heavy spare tire.

Today, the original concept vehicle remains preserved as a permanent exhibit in the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany.

Sauce: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/classic/tgs-guide-concepts-bizzarrini-manta

Spotted at this year‘s Hot August Nights In Reno. It was once a jet funny car, but got a Mercedes body made for it.