Following on from 2024’s Skytop roadster, the Speedtop morphs into a fixed-roof shooting brake. Based on the M8 Competition, the car houses “the most powerful V8 engine currently offered by BMW” under its shark-nosed bonnet. It shares the M8’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8, which produces 616bhp and 553lb-ft (750Nm) of torque. This is distributed to each corner via an 8-speed transmission, and xDrive all-wheel drive.

Whether the car will reach a top speed of 155 or 189mph remains to be seen, but we expect a 0-62mph time of less than 4.0 seconds. However, the performance stats play second fiddle to the design, as the Speedtop truly is a concept car for the road, with shapes and details that would never make their way to a mass production model. A key highlight is the raised spine seen at the leading edge of the bonnet, before it gently disappears and re-emerges at the trailing edge of the roof.

The concave panels make the spine appear taller when viewed from above, and the progressive fade from Sunstone Maroon to Sundown Silver paint accentuates this optical illusion as the roof dips towards the tailgate-mounted spoiler. BMW design hallmarks such as the four-segment headlights, and L-shaped brake lights are presented in a widened yet minimalist form. As such, the eye will spend more time taking in the arrow-shaped rear bodywork, large oval exhaust outlets, angled front air inlets, 14-spoke wheels, and gently creased side bodywork that sit below the elongated roofline.

While the relation to the open-roof Skytop is clear to see, the Speedtop has new details such as chrome trim in every bumper-mounted vent, and along the arm of the newly-designed wing mirrors. 

Inside, the 8 Series-based interior is colour-matched to the exterior paint, as Sunstone Maroon leather adorns the dashboard, steering wheel, transmission tunnel, windscreen surround, and sunvisors. This is contrasted by Moonstone White seats, seatbelts, headlining, and luggage straps. The gear selector, steering wheel, and seats feature crystal trim, and the Speedtop wordmark is pressed into the leather of the cupholder cover, and luggage straps.

The Speedtop is a strict two-seater, with room for bespoke bags to be placed in the rear of the cabin. Naturally, these match the maroon/white colour scheme of the rest of the interior. By definition, a shooting brake features an estate - or Touring - bodystyle, and the powered tailgage reveals a two-tier boot, encircled by a white LED light strip. Exact storage volumes are yet to be revealed, but these should be close to the M8 Competition’s 420 litres.

As well as following on from the Skytop roadster, the Speedtop realises the potential of the Concept Touring Coupé which was shown in 2023. The Z4-based shooting brake got close to being built, before BMW decided against a production run.

The Speedtop has already had a 70-strong production run confirmed, with each one set to cost in excess of £400,000. We expect deliveries to commence in 2026, and future classic status to be cemented shortly thereafter.