In the idyllic setting of the western shore of Lake Como, BMW presented its latest one-of-a-kind concept vehicle at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Dubbed the BMW Concept Skytop, the concept car is an open-top two-seater defined by its taut lines and muscular stance, paying homage to the archival BMW Z8 and BMW 503 models.
You’ll also enjoy:
The Retro-Futuristic BMW Vision Neue Klasse Hints At The Marque’s EV Future
The Best Restomod Car Brands Are Making Old New Again
Yes, Of Course You Need This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupé
The sculpted hood and flanks use clean lines and simple forms to direct the bulk of the vehicle’s volume towards the rear. Unbroken lines lend the Concept Skytop a futuristic aesthetic, with winglets stealthily integrated into the door shoulders replacing conventional door handles, while alloy wheels with gill-like forms contribute to its slightly otherworldly appearance. While the Concept Skytop retains the marque’s signature shark-nose design with illuminated kidney grille, the grille is less pronounced than on its other vehicles.
A raised ‘spline’ extends from the hood, through the interior, and onto an aluminium trim that sits on the trunk lid, acting as a visual cue to emphasise the organic flow of the silhouette. The LED headlights are mounted on milled aluminium carriers and allow for an ultra-thin profile.
If you thought it was beautiful from the sides, the BMW Concept Skytop is actually best viewed from, well, the sky. A bird’s eye view of the one-off car showcases its uber-clean design; despite the more voluminous rear, the Concept Skytop is almost symmetrical from the top, a detail further accentuated by the raised spline.
Both the interior and exterior are rendered in warm monochromatic tones, allowing for a seamless flow from inside to outside. The two removable roof components—which can be stored in a special compartment in the trunk—are finished in brown leather, echoing the interior upholstery. The colour appears to flow outwards from the interiors, with a gradient pattern seeing the reddish-brown hue of the seating and roof smoothly transition into the muted silver with chrome shadow effect on the hood and rear.
Like the Z8 from which it was inspired, the BMW Concept Skytop is powered by the marque’s most powerful engine; namely, the 617bhp 4.4-litre V8 from the BMW M8 Competition.
Really, we could sum up our thoughts on the BMW Skytop Concept in just four words: put it in production.
Words by John Deckard
