With the BMW Concept Skytop design study, BMW is once again bringing an exceptionally elegant, one-of-a-kind vehicle to this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the annual gathering of historic cars and motorcycles held on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. The open two-seater resembles a meticulously crafted vehicle sculpture, with a flowing, sporty elegance that complements its athletic, muscular stance. The interior and exterior of the concept car feature warm monochromatic colors, blending exclusive materials with traditional craftsmanship.
“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.”
Athletic Proportions, Organic Body
The clean exterior of the BMW Concept Skytop is designed to inspire a desire to travel. Its taut, muscular surfaces are defined by a few precise lines that direct the vehicle’s volume towards the rear. Winglets discreetly integrated into the door shoulders replace conventional door handles. Light-alloy wheels with precise gill-like features further enhance its unique appearance.
From a bird’s eye perspective, the prominent, sweeping hood, the iconic BMW “Shark-Nose” design with an illuminated kidney grille, and sculpted rear section, all catch the eye. References to the legendary BMW Z8 roadster were carefully chosen. Especially striking is the pronounced spline that extends from the hood, through the interior, to an aluminum trim positioned on the trunk lid, emphasizing the dynamic flow of the silhouette.
The harmonious design of the headlights blends highly complex details into the overall concept. The LED units, positioned on milled aluminum carriers, were custom-developed for the BMW Concept Skytop, utilizing the latest technology and design for automotive headlights with the slimmest profile possible.
The clean, purist design allows all lighting functions to be consolidated in a single installation space. The flat and defined shape of the rear lights complements the BMW Concept Skytop’s overall appearance.
The leather-finished sport bar behind the BMW Concept Skytop’s two seats is combined with side fins on the B-pillar and a fully retractable rear window. The two removable roof sections, also finished in leather, can be stored in a special compartment in the luggage area.
The color scheme ensures a smooth transition from interior to exterior, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed. In the rear section, the reddish-brown tone of the roof flows into the muted silver with the chrome shadow effect of the exterior paintwork. The technically elaborate color gradient was crafted by an experienced master painter at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Germany.
Brogue-Style Leather Surfaces Characterize the Interior
The leather seats in the interior feature brogue-style accents. The reddish-brown tone of the surfaces creates a consistent color scheme that gives the whole interior a sense of luxury and spaciousness. Crystal applications are artfully embedded in the cockpit, adding to the overall impression. The interior surfaces of the BMW Concept Skytop were crafted in the traditional saddlery of the BMW plant in Dingolfing.
Like the Z8 before it, the BMW Concept Skytop is powered by an engine from BMW M; in this case, the 617-hp 4.4-liter V8 with M TwinPower Turbo Technology from the BMW M8 Competition.
