Automotive
BMW has officially confirmed that the stunning Skytop will go into production, continuing the brand’s commitment to mixing high-performance engineering with unique, handcrafted design. This model, based on the 8 Series, is an exclusive vehicle, with only 50 units set to be produced.
Coachbuilding was once a cornerstone of luxury automakers, and BMW is reviving this nearly forgotten art. This trend began in 2022 when the corporate launched a limited run of fifty units of the three.0 CSL “Batmobile” on the M4 chassis. In 2023, BMW revealed a Z4 roadster-inspired shooting brake, though it never reached full production. The Skytop, nonetheless, has now been green-lit, showing that BMW stays committed to creating rare and highly customized vehicles for discerning customers.
The Skytop is A Unique Targa Experience
The BMW Skytop is a standout amongst modern sports cars. With a price rumored around €500,000 ($547,000), the Skytop is a far cry from the bottom M8 Competition Convertible, which starts at roughly $150,000. This makes the Skytop some of the expensive models in BMW’s lineup, second only to the three.0 CSL, which cost around €750,000 ($820,000).
Familiar Power, Distinct Design
The Skytop doesn’t just look unique—it performs like a BMW should. Powered by a 617-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, it matches the M8 Competition Convertible by way of performance, hitting 62 mph in 3.3 seconds. But what sets the Skytop apart is its design, which pulls heavily from a few of BMW’s most beloved models, akin to the 507 and Z8.
In contrast to BMW’s current, often polarizing design language, the Skytop features clean lines and a shark-nose front end, a welcome callback to more timeless styling. This balance of heritage and modernity ensures the Skytop will stand out in a sea of look-alike luxury sports cars.
The Skytop’s standout feature is its manually removable roof panels. Unlike the M8 Convertible’s electric fabric roof, the Skytop has two Targa panels covered in synthetic leather. These panels should be removed by hand and stored within the trunk, which can limit usability in certain weather conditions but adds a retro, tactile charm.
This Targa setup is paying homage to a bygone era of sports cars, providing a more engaging experience for drivers who benefit from the ritual of physically interacting with their automobile.
Despite its steep price tag, all 50 units of the BMW Skytop have already been sold. The automobile made its debut on the 2023 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa, where it received overwhelming praise. This enthusiasm prompted BMW to approve a limited production run, in keeping with Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s head of design.
A Familiar Interior with Premium Touches
One aspect which will surprise some potential buyers is the Skytop’s interior. At nearly $550,000, one might expect a very bespoke cabin, yet BMW has carried over much of the inside from the M8 Competition. The materials are reportedly hand-selected, but the general design stays familiar. For some, this is perhaps a downside. Nevertheless, others may appreciate the simplicity and continuity of BMW’s established cabin layout, especially because it lacks the oversized digital screens seen in newer models.
The BMW Skytop represents a mix of contemporary performance and classic design, wrapped within the exclusivity of coachbuilding. Its high price and limited availability make it a collector’s dream, nevertheless it’s also an emblem of BMW’s willingness to embrace its heritage while pushing forward with innovation.
As BMW continues to explore this coachbuilding revival, the automotive world is left wondering: what other iconic designs will the brand bring back to life? And is that this the beginning of a broader trend in ultra-luxury, limited-edition vehicles?
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
