BMW Concept Skytop: A Luxurious Two-Seat GT with a Classic Touch
BMW has unveiled the radical new Concept Skytop at the prestigious Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance. This concept car previews the styling and packaging ideas for a luxurious two-seat GT, reminiscent of the legendary Z8 model. With its removable Targa-style roof and integral roll-over hoop, the Concept Skytop is described as a one-off design exercise but could potentially make it into production if it receives a positive reception.
Design and Styling
The design of the Concept Skytop pays homage to classic BMW grand tourers. It features a long probing bonnet, a cabin set well back within a long wheelbase, and a subtly sloping rear boot. The smooth surfacing, elegant lines, advanced lighting, brushed aluminum highlights, and overall detailing give the car a modern and sophisticated look. The front end is characterized by a heavily tapered kidney grille with two illuminated elements and horizontal louvres, reminiscent of BMW’s old ‘shark-nose’ visage. Thin LED headlights and large vents in the bonnet enhance the car’s aggressive and sporty appearance.
Unique Roofing Design
One of the standout features of the Concept Skytop is its Targa-style roof with two separate leather-trimmed panels that can be stowed in a dedicated cubby in the boot. The individual roof panels attach to the top of the windscreen and a leather-trimmed roll-bar hoop behind the seats, creating an upright rear window framed by prominent buttresses. These buttresses sit above wide rear haunches that visually elongate the car. The distinctive central divider in the boot mirrors the one in the bonnet and curves up into a small ducktail spoiler, reminiscent of the E63-generation 6 Series.
Interior and Features
The interior of the Concept Skytop is luxurious and realistic, featuring leather-trimmed seats with brogue-like accents and stitching. It incorporates the latest generation of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, a familiar shifter for the automatic gearbox, and a conventional multifunction steering wheel. Crystal is used on the gear lever, while stainless steel is used for the pedals. The overall layout and style of the interior resemble that of the existing 8 Series from BMW.
Performance and Powertrain
Unlike many recent concept cars, the Concept Skytop is not fully electric. Instead, it boasts “the most powerful V8 engine in the BMW drivetrain portfolio.” This refers to the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged unit found in the most powerful M cars, capable of producing up to 626bhp. This choice of a large-capacity motor for the concept car suggests that BMW still sees a future for combustion engines, at least in certain segments.
Production and Release
While the Concept Skytop is currently described as a one-off design exercise, BMW hints that it could make it into production if it receives a positive response. If greenlit, the road-ready version of the Skytop could be expected to hit the market in early 2026, potentially replacing the current 8 Series that was launched in 2018. It remains to be seen whether BMW plans to continue offering all three derivatives of the 8 Series (coupe, four-door fastback, and convertible) or focus solely on a luxury convertible variant.
Conclusion
The BMW Concept Skytop showcases a blend of classic design elements with modern styling cues, resulting in a luxurious two-seat GT. With its removable Targa-style roof, unique interior features, and powerful V8 engine, this concept car offers a glimpse into BMW’s vision for future grand tourers. While it is currently a design exercise, the positive reception from enthusiasts could potentially pave the way for its production in the coming years.
