- The new BMW Concept Skytop incorporates cues from the Z8 and 503 Roadster.
- It features the 617 hp twin-turbo V8 engine from the BMW M8 Competition.
- The concept is painted in a special gradient finish by one of BMW’s master painters.
Update May 26: We’ve included new live photos of BMW’s convertible grand tourer concept from its debut at Concorso di Villa d’Este on the picturesque shores of Lake Como in Italy this weekend (May 26).
BMW has officially launched its Concept Skytop design study, which will join the M Hybrid V8 Art Car on display at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The Concept Skytop is a two-door, two-seater with a targa roof and is powered by the 617 hp twin-turbo V8 of the BMW M8 Competition.
Read: BMW’s 20th Art Car Is An M Hybrid V8 Ready To Sniff Out Victory At Le Mans
The Concept Skytop is quite possibly one of the best designs we’ve seen out of BMW for a decade. It features well-proportioned kidney grilles with the company’s classic shark nose making a return. The front end is uncluttered by the needlessly fussy air vents witnessed on most modern cars, and the top-down view is almost speedboat-like in its silhouette.
Much like the well-received Neue Klasse sedan concept of last year, there’s more than a hint of history to the design. Going back to their roots, BMW references the Z8 (which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year) as well as the BMW 503.
The rear three quarters have a bit of Aston Martin about them, which is no bad thing, while the aluminum trim positioned on the trunk lid acts as a sort of central spine that extends through the hood and interior.
The paint job is actually a gradient that was crafted by one of BMW’s most experienced master painters. In the rear section, the reddish-brown tone of the roof flows into the muted silver with a chrome shadow effect on the exterior paintwork.
Look even closer, and you’ll notice conventional door handles are absent, replaced by discrete winglets. Sticking with those details, BMW says the LED lights are some of the slimmest units around, custom-made for the concept.
Although a Targa, the rear window can be fully retracted for more of an open-air experience. The roof itself — which is made out of leather, if you were wondering — is divided into two parts. There’s no fancy mechanism here, but there is at least space within a special compartment where they can be stowed.
Move inside, and you’ll discover that it’s not only the roof that features leather; swathes of cowhide adorn most surfaces in a rich reddish-brown hue with brogue-like accents and stitching. As evident, much of the interior is borrowed from the regular 8-Series, boasting the same fundamental dashboard layout and tech gear, including BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system and a familiar shifter for the automatic transmission.
Read: The Most Disappointing Cars I’ve Driven #4, The BMW Z8
Although officially an ode to the Z8, the fact that the M8 Competition’s engine is namechecked makes us think there’s more of the 8-Series hiding underneath that bodywork. While doubt has been cast upon the future of the BMW’s grand tourer, if this is the direction the next generation were to take, then sign us up!
