BMW is getting its design mojo back and no proof is bigger than the pretty Concept Skytop that you see here. Presented at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, this open-top two-seater pays homage to the gorgeous Z8 roadster albeit within the longer canvas of an 8-Series on which it is based. “The BMW Concept Skytop is a truly unique and exotic design, in the tradition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design.
“It offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level, comparable to its historic ancestors, like the BMW Z8 or BMW 503.”
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The proportions are wrought with stunning details, and yet the design is not overpowering or festooned with needless fripperies. The muscular surfaces are flanked by the typical shark-nose BMW design trait yet the illuminated grille is not as monstrously huge as on some of their other cars.
We find the retracted rear section, sculpted bonnet, and winglets placed on the door shoulder, replacing conventional door handles, as some of the other notable design highlights. Lastly, your attention is diverted to the ‘spline’ that extends from the bonnet, through the interior, to an aluminium trim positioned on the tailgate.
The leather-finished roll-over bar behind the BMW Concept Skytop’s two seats is juxtaposed with the side fins on the B-pillar, along with a fully retractable rear window. Things have been kept simple, with no fancy folding roof. Instead, you get two removable roof parts, which are also finished in leather and can be stored in the luggage compartment. We also like how the reddish-brown roof neatly complements the muted silver with the chrome shadow effect of the exterior paintwork.
Look inside, and it’s not the usual BMW tech fest or even drenched with edgy shapes. BMW has poured a lot of old-world charm into this cabin. The leather seats, for example, use brogue-style accents, while crystal elements are scattered all over.
Like the Z8, you will find the most powerful BMW V8 lurking beneath that long bonnet, and that means plenty of performance matched with the wind in your hair histrionics too.
While BMW calls it a concept, a small production run of 100 units or so could be arriving in small numbers as early as next year. With increasing demand for limited-edition cars, we think BMW should bite the bullet here. If they do, expect to pay nearly double the price of an 8-Series.
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