BMW Skytop Concept gets green light for limited production run
BMW says a “hugely positive response” has inspired it to produce 50 examples of the V8-powered two-seater
Earlier this year we saw BMW bring its stunning Skytop Concept to the Concorso di Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. Now that same stylish creation is set to lose its concept car status because the BMW Skytop is being put into production.
The Skytop will be limited to just 50 units - just like the BMW 3.0 CSL that was revealed in 2022 to mark the 50th birthday of BMW’s M division. An elegant convertible, the Skytop celebrates a history of iconic roadsters from BMW, with the 507 and Z8 singled out in particular by the German brand as inspiration.
Rather than design a completely new base for the Skytop, the concept was actually based on the existing BMW 8 Series, clothed in a bespoke body with a targa-like semi-open cockpit. This also means it runs a purely combustion powertrain, and even includes a few throwbacks to previous BMW models thanks to the use of a joystick gear selector, rather than the toggle switch fitted to most of its new models.
The engine is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, as in many of BMW’s high-end models, and it’s in the hot 616bhp tune as seen on the BMW M8 Competition. With the engine connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, a 0 to 62mph time of 3.3 seconds is expected - exactly the same as the M8 Competition Convertible.
The design builds from a nose that’s significantly more restrained and delicate than those on many contemporary BMWs. Unlike the divisive 7 Series, the Concept Skytop has a relatively small pair of illuminated kidney grilles that are tapered and jut out from the bumper at a reverse angle, mimicking the iconic shark-nose of historical BMWs like the original CS Coupe. The thin, elegant headlights feature simple clean internals, and sit above a smooth and restrained lower bumper.
The body itself is more blocky than most existing BMW models, and its volumes reference the aforementioned BMW Z8 with its clean, sleek forms. There’s divergence from BMW’s past design when it comes to the roof structure, which features two removable panels finished in a burnt sienna-coloured material. This is matched with the integrated aerobridge, finished in the same colour leather as the roof and the rest of the interior. A central raised spline also extends from the bonnet to an aluminium bar on the boot lid.
Where the colour and trim get really creative, though, is the deck behind that roll hoop. This features a graduated colour finish starting from the interior leather and converting to the soft gold of the exterior bodywork. BMW says this “softly bleeds” the interior and exterior material palettes into one another.
The simple, upright rear does without much ornamentation, with simple horizontal lights, clean bumpers and no light bars. The detailing is much more restrained than even BMW’s most recent road cars, let alone the future range of Neue Klasse models we know are on their way.
The interior of the Skytop features the same basic layout as that of the 8 Series, though there are leather seats with ‘brogue-style decoration’ and ‘crystal applications’ are embedded throughout the cockpit. Soft-close doors, an uprated sound system and a full-colour head-up display are also included.
Pricing is yet to be announced and considering the limited production number it may only be revealed to those in the position to actually purchase the Skytop. We expect a price tag of around £750,000 - in line with the 2022 BMW 3.0 CSL.
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