Looks stunning, doesn’t it? Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as the age-old adage goes, if there was an empirical manner with which one could determine whether a motor vehicle can be (objectively) considered “beautiful”, the BMW Skytop would arguably fall into this category.
However, revealed on 24 May, 2024 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Skytop was but an eye-catching design study, a one-of-a-kind concept with which the German marque showcased its meticulous craftsmanship. But that is all about to change… When the Bavarian brand whipped the wraps off the one-off open-top, the two-seater concept was met with great acclaim; so much so, the positive response inspired BMW to actually put it into production!
To finally be able to announce that this car will be built is like a dream come true.
The decision was announced by the BMW Group’s head of design, Adrian van Hooydonk. “The BMW Skytop is a truly exotic design and offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level … To finally be able to announce that this car will be built is like a dream come true,” said Van Hooydonk.
It will be produced in strictly limited numbers, though, making it an extremely sought-after BMW. Only 50 will be made, with each having been reserved for BMW enthusiasts and collectors. In addition, all examples — each priced at “at least” €500 000 (R9 517 670), according to BMW Blog’s sources — have been spoken for.
Designed to commemorate historic BMW roadsters, such as the 507 and Z8, the 8 Series-based special edition’s “evocative” “shark-nose” exterior styling features several “carefully chosen” design elements, such as an “arrow-shaped” bonnet and a tapered rear end, referencing the iconic Z8. The Skytop’s illuminated kidney grille is flanked by what the carmaker claims are the slimmest-profile headlamp clusters currently available for motor cars. The front LED items, positioned on aluminium carriers, were specially developed for the firm’s latest limited edition. The “arrestingly” slim design of the rear LED lighting units mirrors that of the latter.
Dressed in Floating Sundown Silver, replete with a “chrome shadow” effect for enhanced visual impact, the Skytop’s “progressive” bodywork wraps around a set of light-alloy wheels, each featuring “intricate” fins between the spokes. The two-part, synthetic-leather soft-top is finished in a reddish-brown hue.
Sans electric assistance, the Skytop employs the most powerful V8 in BMW’s arsenal. The 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged unit is endowed with 460 kW and 750 N.m of torque, send to all four corners via an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of “around” 3.3 seconds.
