Dogs played the starring role at the launch evening, at the House of BMW Milano, of the BMW xDrive40d SUV made in collaboration with Milan-based brand Poldo Dog Couture. The brand, which specialises in high-end pet products – a market that trend forecasts indicate is growing strongly – returns to collaborate with the German manufacturer for this version created, as explained by Riccardo Gardoni of Poldo Dog Couture, “after having identified a gap in on-board service for our four-legged friends, who have the right to a comfortable journey”.
The premises are not disappointed and it is enough to look at the details of the SUV’s layout, especially the interiors, designed on the imagery of a walk in the woods, with colours and even fragrances that recall this experience. In fact, the olfactory part includes an essence ioniser, created by Italy’s leading nose Luca Maffei, which is able to capture any unpleasant odours inside the passenger compartment through a patented molecule. Rossella Barbuto, the company’s Creative Director, explains: “I interpreted this car by drawing inspiration from an early morning forest where the air is pervaded by a symphony of enveloping resinous scents coming from centuries-old fir trees and mingling with the delicate perfume of moss on the damp ground.
Given the storytelling, the car’s exterior could only be green – the exclusive BMW Individual ‘Oxford Green’ paint – with contrasts in black, while the interior is emphasised by ebony mouldings, created by the hands of a master cabinetmaker, alternating with soft-touch textile upholstery in Alcantara. The fulcrum of the design is the exclusive travel kit, with the features and chic of yesteryear, which can be conveniently stowed in the spacious boot, also upholstered in ebony. The ebony trunk is in turn upholstered in forest green hammered leather with three drawers to hold everything your four-legged friend needs: a seat belt, leash and leather collar; a printed nylon and Alcantara rear seat cover to take with you when you get out of the car.
This is rounded off by a comfortable padded cushion made of thermal wadding that can be attached to the car seat for smaller dogs in safety. Accessories still include a thermal flask for fresh water and even two porcelain bowls on an elegant custom-made ebony tray. Products and fabrics all made in Italy based on collaboration with a network of craftsmen who bring their expertise to this niche market.
