‘Best looking BMW in years’ - Concept Skytop to be produced in limited numbers
The BMW Concept Skytop, revealed back in May, has been widely lauded as the best looking BMW in years, if not the past decade.
Though it was originally presented as a concept car, the Bavarian carmaker has now announced that the elegant two-seat roadster will be produced in limited numbers.
Just 50 examples of this ‘limited edition’ open top sports car will see the light of day, and according to BMW they’ve all been spoken for.
No official price tag has been disclosed, but it is widely rumoured that the vehicles cost around 500,000 euros a piece, which is R9.57 million at today’s exchange rate.
Revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como back in May, the Concept Skytop was described by BMW Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk as being a truly “unique and exotic” car, comparable to historic ancestors like the BMW Z8 and 503.
Unusually for a BMW it features a targa top, complete with a fixed roll-over bar, retractable rear window, and two removable roof parts that can be stored in a special compartment in the boot.
The car’s headlights have the slimmest profile currently available for a production car and they flank a large, illuminated horizontal kidney grille.
Inside the BMW Skytop, brogue-style leather surfaces aim to impart a feeling of luxury while “artfully embedded” crystal applications add to the sense of sophistication. These high-quality interior surfaces were crafted in the traditional saddlery at the Dingolfing plant.
Furthermore, the car features a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and BMW Live Cockpit Professional with full-colour Head-Up display.
Based on the 8 Series, the BMW Skytop is powered by the brand’s most potent 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, producing an output of 460kW and allowing a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 3.3 seconds.
The engine is paired with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox and xDrive all-wheel drive system.
“The BMW Skytop is a truly exotic design and offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level,” said van Hooydonk.
“To finally be able to announce that this car will be built is like a dream come true. Thank you for the very positive response around the globe and to the passionate team that worked on the project.”
IOL