It’s arduous to consider it’s been a yr since BMW unveiled the Skytop idea. The M8-based targa magnificence nonetheless hasn’t formally debuted as a manufacturing mannequin, however judging by a brand new spy video, the reveal is probably going simply across the nook. The world premiere should be imminent because the firm didn’t even trouble to camouflage this prototype. How do we all know that is the production-ready automotive? Except for the apparent license plate, it additionally has parking sensors.
We’re loosely utilizing “manufacturing,” as BMW is making solely 50 automobiles. All have been spoken for shortly after the idea’s debut in Could 2024 on the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This prototype seems to be a carbon copy of the present automotive, which paid homage to the Z8 and 503. It was noticed with no roof, however we all know the Skytop consists of two leather-wrapped panels. The targa high is manually detachable and might be stowed in a devoted trunk compartment.
This shall be BMW’s first manufacturing mannequin to swap conventional door handles for electrically operated winglets. The designers have cleaned up the profile by tucking the winglets into the door shoulders, neatly built-in into the beltline. Just lately noticed prototypes of the next-generation X5 (G65) and X7 (G67) counsel the identical setup is coming to these fashions as nicely, together with for the rear doorways.
The Skytop could also be a rebodied M8, however that doesn’t cease it from being drop-dead beautiful. Is it definitely worth the rumored €500,000 asking value? Effectively, if 50 patrons have been keen to pay that a lot, then BMW clearly made the proper name. The identical might be mentioned about its earlier coachbuilt undertaking, the 3.0 CSL. That M4 CSL-based coupe was allegedly even pricier, at an unconfirmed €750,000.
Skytop is probably going the swan track for the 8 Sequence lineup. Some variations of the 8er shall be phased out this yr, with the remaining fashions scheduled to finish manufacturing in 2026. As Bmwblog beforehand reported, there aren’t any fast plans for a 3rd technology. The 8 Sequence Gran Cup may return in the future as an EV, however for now, nothing is confirmed.
We is perhaps simply days away from seeing the production-ready Skytop. The 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, which takes place subsequent week, is a first-rate venue for the reveal. BMW has already teased the debut of a new one-off and an M automotive, presumably the M2 CS.
