The new BMW Concept Skytop is based on the 8-Series

Kenneth John Published: May 27, 2024, 01:47 PM IST

BMW has revealed the new Concept Skytop, which made its public premiere at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy. The new BMW Concept Skytop is an open-top roadster inspired by the 8 Series but with two seats and a Targa top. Drawing influence from legendary BMW vehicles such as the Z8 and 503, the Skytop has a look that is both nostalgic and futuristic.

The Concept Skytop has a shark-nose front end, narrow taillights, a sculpted bonnet shape, tiny headlights, and a distinctive flat-decked rear end. While it may appear to be a one-off, the BMW Concept Skytop is based on one of the company's current models, the 8 Series. The two-seater concept has a modified body on top of the 8 Series, with a semi-open targa-style roof design.

Although based on the 8 Series' dimensions, the Skytop eliminates the back seats in favour of a more compact and driver-focused design. The BMW Concept Skytop's cabin is also virtually similar to the 8 Series, with the dashboard fitting almost perfectly. The digital instrument console, infotainment screen, centre stack, and gear selector are all familiar features. The leather-upholstered seats and steering wheel appear lavish. The retractable glass and the unusual roll bar behind the seats are what distinguish this model.

BMW did not provide any technical information for the Skytop concept. However, they did claim that it had the most powerful V8 engine in the brand's lineup. This leads us to assume it will be driven by the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the M8 Competition, which produces 625 horsepower and 750 Nm of torque. The power is then transferred to an 8-speed automatic transmission with AWD.

"The BMW Concept Skytop is a truly unique and exotic design, in the tradition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este," says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. "It offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level, comparable to its historic ancestors, like the BMW Z8 or BMW 503."

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