BMW brought out a gorgeous concept car at the recent Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, called Concept Skytop, taking inspiration from some of its Greatest Hits in design like the Z8 and 503 to create what might just be the best-dang-looking BMW in modern times.
While it’s officially a one-off for now, Automotive News Europe says that the German carmaker is contemplating a limited production run for the model – which is good news, because we would’ve started World War III otherwise.
BMW says that the Concept Skytop is a “meticulously crafted vehicle sculpture”; a study of the intersection between classic elegance and sporty athleticism. But for us, it’s proof that they might have gone in the wrong direction for their latest cars. I mean, just imagine the BMW i4 with svelte body lines, and a more stomach-able front grille like this.
It’s based on the current-generation 8 Series – which we maintain is still one of the best-looking BMWs today despite its age – but heavily reskinned with some of the marque’s most iconic styling touches, like the forward-leaning shark nose front fascia, and more importantly, the spine that runs from the front bonnet to the rear cover, then fading away into a subtle ducktail spoiler at the back.
Traditional door handles have been jettisoned in favour of a small winglet as a means to preserve the concept’s clean side profile, with the uniquely styled light-alloy wheels further highlighting the concept’s design brief.
The rear three-quarters is perhaps the most attractive angle for the Concept Skytop, with unique “side fins” flying buttresses emphasising the curvature of the rear haunches. A leather-wrapped roll-over bar joins the side fins together, and forms the base for the concept’s removable targa top, which is also similarly finished in burgundy leather – just like the concept’s entire interior which are further marked out by brogue accents.
Notice how the red hues slowly fade into the gold-silver exterior paintwork on the rear deck? That’s the work of BMW’s master painter at its Dingolfing plant, specifically created to ensure “a smooth transition from interior to exterior, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed”.
The homage to the Z8 doesn’t stop at just its looks, because BMW also says that the Concept Skytop will be powered by “the most powerful V8 engine” in its engine portfolio – most likely the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 as seen on the M5 CS (since the company makes no mention of electric assistance), enough for 635 hp.
BMW is no stranger to debuting unique concepts at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, though none have actually made it to production. Just last year, the clown shoe-inspired Touring Concept was similarly hinted for production for up to as many as 1,000 units depending on who you asked, but BMW eventually pulled the plug on the project for undisclosed reasons.
Speaking to Automotive News Europe this year, BMW Group Design chief Adrian van Hooydonk again repeated the usual script for the Concept Skytop, saying that a limited production run could happen if there’s enough demand. “If the reaction is positive, we could build 20 to 25 copies of the Concept Skytop.”
So why would this year be different? Well, for one, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel also said this, while speaking to Autocar: “It is a little bit like a test balloon. You show the cars, and if there’s enough demand, it can be built. I think the demand is quite high. So probability is quite high. We’ll see over the next few weeks if that interest translates into purchasing orders. The probability is there.”
We know there’s certainly no shortage of rich old-school BMW fans, given the 3.0 CSL can sell for more than five times the price of a normal M4 CSL; let’s just hope they’ll put some of that capitalism gains to good use, then.
ALSO READ: BMW brings back the clown shoe with new Concept Touring Coupe
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