BMW enjoys showcasing concept cars at Villa d’Este, and this year is no exception. The German automaker has unveiled the Skytop Concept, a roofless two-seater coupe inspired by its classic models.
“The BMW Concept Skytop is an extraordinary and exotic design, true to the tradition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design. “It blends driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level, reminiscent of its historic predecessors, such as the BMW Z8 and BMW 503.”
Connections to the Z8 roadster are evident. The Skytop’s slim taillights and sharknose front end clearly draw inspiration from the early 2000s roadster. The sculpted hood, small headlights, and distinctive flat-decked rear recall the 503 from the late 1950s.
At a glance, the Skytop appears like a rebodied 8 Series. It shares similar proportions and uses the 617-horsepower 4.4-liter V-8 from the M8 Competition. We wouldn’t be shocked if BMW simply used an M8 as a foundation and reshaped the lines.
BMW doesn’t provide additional technical or performance specs, but if we had to guess, the Skytop likely features the M8 Competition’s eight-speed automatic transmission and advanced all-wheel drive system.
Continuing the familiar theme, the interior mirrors that of production cars. Borrowing from the 8-Series, it boasts a recognizable digital gauge cluster, infotainment screen, center stack, and gear selector. Though the leather seats and steering wheel add a touch of luxury, their origins are evidently from mass production.
However, the custom roll bar, complete with a power-retractable window, stands out as unique. The convertible roof, comprised of two parts, can be manually removed and stored in the trunk.
While the Skytop may seem ready for production, its fate on the assembly line is uncertain. Given BMW’s existing lineup of the 8 Series coupe and convertible, introducing a sleek targa version could potentially cannibalize sales, regardless of its appeal.
Source and Images: Motor1