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BMW Skytop Goes Into Limited Production

Craig Toone

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BMW gmbh

11 Oct 2024

BMW Skytop Goes Into Limited Production

News, BMW

BMW Skytop Goes Into Limited Production

BMW has confirmed that its Skytop Concept will enter a limited production run of just 50 units. Powered by a 616bhp V8 and featuring an exclusive, hand-crafted design, this rare roadster is aimed at collectors and brand enthusiasts, with all examples already sold.

BMW has confirmed that its Skytop Concept will enter a limited production run of just 50 units. Powered by a 616bhp V8 and featuring an exclusive, hand-crafted design, this rare roadster is aimed at collectors and brand enthusiasts, with all examples already sold.

BMW has confirmed that its Skytop Concept will enter a limited production run of just 50 units. Powered by a 616bhp V8 and featuring an exclusive, hand-crafted design, this rare roadster is aimed at collectors and brand enthusiasts, with all examples already sold.

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has become BMW's official location for its designers to let their hair down. Over the years, the Bavarian firm has given us countless striking concepts. Standouts include the M1 Hommage of 2008, and the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage of 2015. More of which later. The last two years have seen the 2023 Concept Touring Coupé, and in 2024, the Skytop Concept. None have made it into production. 

Until now.

The news that the Skytop Concept is set to go into limited production was announced by Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, at an event hosted in Milan. Unashamedly an opulent grand tourer, the Skytop pays tribute to BMW’s rich roadster lineage, in particular the Z8 and 507. Its dramatic ‘Shark Nose’ front-end styling also brings to mind the iconic M635CSi. It is clear to see van Hooydonk’s passion for the roadster in his words: “To finally be able to announce that this car will be built is like a dream come true. Thank you for the very positive response around the globe and to the passionate team that worked on the project.”

Like the Z8, the Skytop is powered by an engine borrowed from the contemporary M5. The 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine is the most powerful in the marque’s lineup, producing 616bhp and 553lb-ft of torque – enough to speed the Skytop from 0 to 62mph in just 3.3 seconds. With the optional M Driver’s Package, the F90 M5 Competition is capable of (a still limited) 190mph top speed. Expect the Skytop to match this figure too – weather (pun intended) that’s roof up or down remains to be seen.

Underneath lies BMW’s 8-Series platform, meaning an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system will also feature.


BMW Skytop goes into production
BMW Skytop goes into production

While continent-shrinking performance is the raison d’être of any GT car, so is an aura of timeless elegance. The exterior of the Skytop contains some fascinating intricate details such as the sleek winglets in place of door handles, slim LED headlights and taillights, and the flying buttresses. The most notable feature is a pronounced spline that extends from the bonnet to the rear. From above, the spine creates a sense of symbolism, orchestrating a number of distinct kidney grille outlines mirroring themselves across the car. According to van Hooydonk, the Skytop’s design philosophy is intended to evoke a sense of motion even when the car is stationary.

Whilst the interior architecture is clearly derived from the 8-Series, a complete retrim and bespoke touches add a sense of craftsmanship, with brogue-style stitching and crystal inlays. The Skytop also incorporates advanced technologies, such as BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional with a head-up display, as well as a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System.

BMW did build a limited-edition 3.0 CSL in 2022; however, that car was never 100 per cent true to the Hommage, awkwardly splicing elements of the concept’s design onto the M4 CSL donor car. The Skytop, however, is promised to retain all of its beauty – at a cost. BMW is remaining tight-lipped on the required investment; however, it will doubtless be significant, given the (carbon-bodied) 3.0 CSL reportedly commanded around £750,000.

Still, by putting the Skytop into production, BMW has underlined that it still values its storied heritage in the light of recent criticism of its design language. Could the Skytop be heralding a return to classically elegant BMW design? Let’s hope so.


 

Scroll down to explore the best BMW concepts from the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este


BMW Skytop goes into production
BMW Skytop goes into production
BMW Skytop goes into production

BMW’s Concorso d’Eleganza Concepts


BMW M1 Hommage

BMW M1 Hommage

In 2008, BMW’s M division celebrated its 30th birthday, an occasion marked with the M1 Hommage concept. Heavily influenced by the original 1978 M1, the Hommage brought the mid-engine supercar into the 21st century and remains one of the all-time “should’ve gone into production” concept cars.

Just imagine it fitted with the E92 M3’s S65 V8 – or better still – the E60 M5’s S85 V10. The Audi R8 would have faced some stern competition.


BMW 328 Hommage

BMW 328 Hommage

Celebrating another landmark anniversary, the 328 Hommage was unveiled in 2011 to mark the 75th birthday of the Mille Miglia-winning BMW 328. BMW states the 328 Hommage “offers a possible interpretation of how the designers of that time, Fritz Fiedler and Rudolf Schleicher, might have built the 328 in the present day using current technology.”

The original 328 racing car weighed just 780kg thanks to the widespread use of lightweight materials such as aluminium and magnesium. With the 328 Hommage, the bodywork is crafted from exposed carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), the weave of which is left visible. BMW has never revealed what platform lies beneath the concept, only that the car is powered by an undisclosed straight-six engine.

Given the short overhangs, it’s likely that Z4 underpinnings were used. Complete with steel wheels, the Hommage is a jaw-dropping tribute to a legendary racing car.


BMW Concept Ninety

BMW Concept Ninety

In 2013, BMW’s design team turned their attention to two wheels, celebrating two significant anniversaries: 90 years of BMW Motorrad and 40 years of the iconic R 90 S. The Concept Ninety is a collaboration between the German firm and Californian custom builder Roland Sands, using a 110bhp Boxer twin from the BMW R1200GS. Hand-crafted aluminium bodywork and carbon-fibre parts catch the eye, as does the bright Daytona Orange paintwork.


BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage

Perhaps the most widely recognised of all the Hommage concepts, the 3.0 CSL sent BMW fans into raptures in 2015. Channelling the all-conquering 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ Touring Car of the 1970s, the Hommage faithfully recreates the car's groundbreaking aerodynamic swagger. It is the work of veteran BMW designer Joji Nagashima. Inside, the 3.0 CSL Hommage drew heavily from BMW’s contemporary DTM machine.

Like most Hommage concepts, what lies beneath remains a closely guarded secret. However, the car is known to be based on the 4-Series coupé and features an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 3.0-litre straight-six engine is twin-turbocharged, suggesting it could be the S55 engine from the M4.

As mentioned earlier, a version of the 3.0 CSL made it into limited production seven years later, although Type Approval legislation disrupted its outlandish lines, diluting their impact.


BMW 2002 Hommage

BMW 2002 Hommage

Based on the recently launched M2 coupé, the 2002 Hommage was revealed on the shores of Lake Como in 2016. Landmark anniversaries were once again abundant – BMW’s centenary year and the 50th birthday of the game-changing 2002. The BMW design team, however, played a little fast and loose with the rules, focusing the Hommage on the 2002 Turbo of 1973. Given the M2 is the modern incarnation of that car, we’ll give them a pass.

Unlike the production M2, the 2002 Hommage was speed limited to 19mph – not 155mph – thanks to its oversized show car wheels, minimal ground clearance, and aggressive snowplough front splitter. Initially, the concept was painted in powder blue and featured inverted ‘turbo’ lettering – a particularly nice touch. The car made a second appearance at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with a new “Turbomeister” livery, paying tribute to BMW’s Jaegermeister-liveried touring cars.

Of all the Hommage concepts, the 2002 has perhaps had the greatest influence on production BMWs – look at today’s 2-Series in profile, and you might spot some of the Hommage’s lines.


BMW Concept Touring Coupé

BMW Concept Touring Coupé

Eschewing some of the more extravagant lines of the Hommage series, the Concept Touring Coupé looks like a turn-key production car. From the front, the new three-door fastback could be mistaken for the facelifted BMW Z4 roadster of 2023. It won’t be long, however, before the words “bread van”, “clown shoe” and “Z3 M Coupé” come to mind.

Instead of the roadster’s canvas roof, the Concept Touring Coupé has been reimagined as a shooting brake, with an extended roofline and near-vertical rear screen featuring a very pronounced Hofmeister kink. BMW aficionados once again clamoured for a production version of the car. Rumours suggested there was room on the production line to make it a reality, but the BMW board ultimately chose to deny us.

AUTHOR

Craig Toone

Craig Toone

Rush Founder

Photography by:

BMW gmbh

Published on:

11 October 2024

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Craig Toone

Craig Toone

Rush Founder

Obsessed with cars and car magazines ever since growing up in the back of a Sapphire Cosworth. Wore the racing line into the family carpet with his Matchbox toys. Can usually be found three-wheeling his Clio 182 Trophy around the Forest of Bowland, then bemoaning its running costs.

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