The best road trips are rarely defined solely by the destination. Sometimes it’s the road itself that sticks in the memory. Sometimes it’s the hotel at the end of the day. And, of course, the car plays a crucial role. Ideally, everything comes together. As is the case with The MattBook and the new Bovensiepen Zagato.
Andermatt in summer: crystal-clear mountain lakes, overlooked by peaks such as the Gemsstock, Spitzberg and Bächistock, which scrape the 3,000-metre mark, and eight mountain passes that rank among the most beautiful in Europe. The perfect backdrop for this car: the new Bovensiepen Zagato. At the wheel: Matthias, content creator, photographer and founder of The MattBook and the Bimmer World Brothers.
But let’s rewind a little. The story begins a few hundred kilometres further north in Buchloe, Bavaria. That is where Bovensiepen Automobile GmbH + Co. KG is based. The name is no stranger to the automotive industry. In 1965, Burkard Bovensiepen founded the Alpina brand, which was sold to BMW in 2022. Anyone who thought that was the end of the company was in for a surprise in 2025: In May 2025, the family unveiled a new brand – and its first model – at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The name: Bovensiepen Zagato. The dawn of a new era.
“Our vehicles are designed for enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect blend of technology and design.” – Andreas Bovensiepen, Owner/CEO of Bovensiepen
And this is what it looks like: A Gran Turismo limited to 99 units, featuring a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that combines 611 PS and 700 Nm of torque to achieve a top speed of over 300 km/h. The design comes from the Milan-based coachbuilder Zagato, one of Italy’s oldest surviving coachbuilders. The name is synonymous with lightweight construction, aerodynamics and stunning silhouettes. Just take a look at the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Or indeed at the Bovensiepen. Its body is made almost entirely of carbon fibre and is crafted from over 400 individual parts in more than 250 hours of work per vehicle.
As you can see: good things take time. This applies to cars just as much as it does to wine, the Bovensiepen family’s second great passion. Some of the world’s finest wines mature in the cellars of Buchloe before finding their way to customers. It is precisely this patience that is also embodied in every Bovensiepen model.
But what is the new Bovensiepen Zagato actually like to drive? Matthias, better known as TheMattBook, has the answer. As a test driver, he combines two perspectives: that of the driver who savours every bend, and that of the photographer who captures every beautiful line. First impressions: Bovensiepen’s approach to ‘Fine Driving’ – characterised by precision, harmony and dedication – resonates in every bend. “It’s powerful, precise and comfortable all at once.” Visually, the Blue Sapphire Metallic paintwork with silver alloy wheels and blue-grey interior provided the perfect contrast to the Swiss mountain landscape.
It became clear time and again whilst out and about that the Bovensiepen Zagato attracts attention. Whether on winding mountain passes or at the Super Car Owners Circle in Andermatt, where it’s usually Pagani or Bugatti that catch the eye: According to Matthias, the exclusivity and the unusual design repeatedly attracted curious glances and sparked fascinating conversations with passers-by.
And then there’s an unwritten rule for the perfect road trip: It rarely goes to plan. In the case of TheMattBook x Bovensiepen Zagato, the weather threw up a few surprises. Sunshine, heavy rain and even hail alternated, sometimes within the space of just a few hours.
This posed a real challenge for the production: “When you’ve just washed the car, are on your way to the shoot location and it suddenly starts raining heavily, it can be a bit of a downer,” explains Matthias with a laugh. The upside is that Matthias actually prefers light rain when taking photos, as it makes the images look much more high-contrast and dramatic.
“It was great fun to experience the car on the winding Alpine passes in Switzerland.” – TheMattBook
And the best part of the tour? “The chats with other petrolheads,” says Matthias without a moment’s hesitation. Closely followed by the sight of the Zagato against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. As for whether he’d do the road trip again – that goes without saying. And he’s already got a few ideas for the next route: “I could well imagine taking the car to the Côte d’Azur. But also to the countryside of England or Scotland.”
Just how much Bovensiepen’s pursuit of freedom and elegance extends beyond the road is demonstrated in the second part of the route. We take a look at the hotel that rounded off the tour through the Swiss Alps.
You can find more impressions here:
→ the.mattbook
Text: Verena Stuhlinger
Photos: TheMattBook
rampstyle #38 Just for the Plot
In our culture, we glorify optimization. Everything is supposed to be plannable and as risk-free as possible. And yet, at the same time, there is a growing longing for the detour. For the unplanned. For the real. “Just for the plot” means: I know this may not be the most sensible thing to do. But it tells my story better than reason ever could. Because people remember summers. Journeys. Encounters. That one evening that changed everything. The plot is the story we tell later. Not the Excel spreadsheet we keep today. Find out more
