Unveiled at Villa d’Este in 2024, BMW’s bespoke Skytop grand tourer brings old-school elegance, wrapped in modern metal—with a V8, a targa roof, and just 50 units to be built, all already spoken for. It’s a piece of art on wheels.
- Back in 2024, BMW unveiled the Skytop—a hand-built, open-air grand tourer shown at Villa d’Este.
- Inspired by the BMW 507 and Z8, it rides on the 8 Series platform with bespoke coachwork and rich leather trim.
- Only 50 will be produced, and every one of them was sold before production even started.
A Grand Tourer With Presence and Patience
Elegance is hard to measure—but if there’s a shortlist of the most beautiful cars in the modern era, the Skytop is not just on it; it’s probably near the top. Its unveiling was different, it didn’t involve a formal press-key note or marketing fanfare, BMW unveiled it under the soft Italian light at Villa d’Este, in front of collectors and design obsessives. That alone tells you the level of exclusivity we’re dealing with.
BMW didn’t overhype it, because they didn’t need to. The Skytop stood out on its own: long-hooded, wide-shouldered, and impossibly elegant. The proportions evoke the 507 without copying it, and the attitude is more coachbuilt GT than showroom coupe.
The targa-style roof panels are carbon fiber, and when stowed, they reveal a rear deck sculpted in leather and flowing into an integrated spoiler. There’s no big wing, no exposed aero—just lines that look like they were drawn with a steady hand and a real sense of restraint.
Inside of BMW Skytop : Texture Over Tech
Open the doors, and you’re greeted by Brogue Merino leather in a deep reddish brown, stitched in patterns that feel more sartorial than automotive.
Everything inside feels tactile. The start/stop button is built into a leather strap. The roll bar is leather-wrapped. Even the center console looks less like a control hub and more like a crafted object.
There’s digital instrumentation, yes, but it doesn’t dominate the space. This is a car designed for long roads and quiet moments, not constant notifications.
Underneath, BMW Skytop
While the Skytop leads with elegance, it isn’t soft. Underneath, it’s based on the BMW 8 Series, and while BMW hasn’t confirmed final specs, it’s expected to carry the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from the M8 Competition. That would put output in the 617 hp range, mated to an eight-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive.
This isn’t a stripped-down concept. It’s a fully capable grand tourer—one that can cover ground quickly, even if it never sees a track.
Built by Hand. Gone in a Flash.
Just 50 units of the Skytop are being built—each by hand at BMW’s Dingolfing Manufaktur. And no, having a mansion with a driveway big enough to lap one doesn’t help. All 50 were spoken for before BMW even announced when production would begin.
Pricing? BMW hasn’t shared official numbers, but internal estimates suggest figures north of $500,000.
Final Thoughts
The Skytop is for those who care less about spec sheets and more about owning something that can’t be replicated. It’s a car with lineage—and the kind of exclusivity you don’t see often anymore. More than anything, the Skytop feels like a celebration: of craftsmanship, of grand touring, and of a time when driving was more about how it made you feel than how fast you got there. Romantic? Absolutely.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most accurate, latest updates or specific model configurations. Always consult official website/sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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