The BMW Group has once again showcased its design prowess with the BMW Concept Skytop, a uniquely elegant vehicle unveiled at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This annual event, held on the picturesque shores of Lake Como, celebrates the beauty of historic cars and motorcycles. The open two-seater BMW Concept Skytop is a meticulously crafted vehicle sculpture, exuding sporty elegance and a muscular stance. Its interior and exterior blend warm monochromatic colors, exclusive materials, and traditional craftsmanship.
Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, states, “The BMW Concept Skytop is a truly unique and exotic design, in the tradition of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. 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 and Organic Design
The BMW Concept Skytop’s clean exterior inspires a desire to travel. Its taut, muscular surfaces are defined by 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 lamellas further enhance its unique appearance.
From a bird’s eye perspective, the prominent sweeping bonnet, iconic BMW shark-nose design with illuminated kidney grille, and retracted rear section catch the eye. References to the legendary BMW Z8 roadster are evident, with a pronounced spline extending from the bonnet through the interior to an aluminum trim on the tailgate, emphasizing the dynamic flow of the silhouette.
The harmonious design of the headlights blends highly complex details into the overall concept. Custom-developed LED units, positioned on milled aluminum carriers, utilize the latest technology for automotive headlights with the slimmest profile currently available. The clean, purist design consolidates all lighting functions in a single installation space. The flat and defined shape of the rear lights complements the BMW Concept Skytop’s overall appearance.
Luxurious Interior with Brogue-Style Leather
The leather-finished roll-over bar behind the two seats is combined with side fins on the B-pillar and a fully retractable rear window. The two removable roof parts, also finished in leather, can be stored in a special compartment in the luggage space. The color scheme ensures a smooth transition from interior to exterior, regardless of whether the roof is open or closed. The rear section’s reddish-brown tone of the roof flows into the muted silver with chrome shadow effect of the exterior paintwork, crafted by an experienced master painter at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing.
The interior features brogue-style leather surfaces, with the reddish-brown tone creating a consistent color scheme that exudes luxury and spaciousness. Crystal applications embedded in the cockpit enhance the overall impression. The interior surfaces were crafted in the traditional saddlery of the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing.
Performance Parallels with BMW Z8
The BMW Concept Skytop shares engine similarities with the BMW Z8, featuring the most powerful V8 engine in the BMW drivetrain portfolio. This combination of power and design makes the Concept Skytop a standout vehicle at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, continuing BMW’s legacy of blending performance with elegance.
For more information, visit BMW Group.
