Though the Skytop is a by-product of an current automobile, it nonetheless has to bear the standard testing course of. As such, the targa-topped M8 has been racking up miles on the Nürburgring. BMW needs to ensure it’s flawless earlier than restricted manufacturing begins. Solely 50 automobiles can be made, all of which have lengthy been spoken for. It’s the second coachbuilt undertaking from Bavaria in recent times, following the three.0 CSL primarily based on the M4 CSL.
As BMWBLOG solely discovered earlier this week, the Skytop retains the S63 engine from the M8. The sound you’re listening to comes from a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8. The S63B44T4 produces 617 horsepower, and whereas it might not ship essentially the most thrilling soundtrack, don’t blame BMW. Stricter emissions and noise laws in Europe are forcing even large-displacement engines to sound extra subdued. We reckon it’d sound higher in nations exterior the EU.
However the Skytop isn’t actually about energy or the soundtrack delivered by its eight-cylinder engine. If that’s all you’re after, an M8 Convertible makes much more sense because it’s far cheaper. The actual asset right here is the styling. It harkens again to iconic BMW design cues, most notably the sharknose entrance finish and a Z8-esque rear. BMW has stated it additionally drew inspiration from the 507 roadster.
Though this prototype is cloaked in camouflage, the disguise can’t cover the truth that the Skytop seems to be considerably totally different from the donor automobile. Whereas the M8 Convertible comes with an electrically retractable cloth roof, the purple prime right here consists of two manually detachable panels. As soon as eliminated, they are often stowed in a particular compartment within the trunk. We’re curious whether or not the manufacturing model will retain the idea’s leather-wrapped gentle prime and roll bar. If that’s the case, it’s in all probability smart to not drive the automobile within the rain.
Very like the present automobile from final 12 months’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the ultimate model doesn’t have common door handles. As a substitute, it makes use of winglets alongside the beltline, much like what the next-generation X5 (G65) is predicted to characteristic. BMW confirmed the Skytop idea with retractable quarter glass and a sliding rear window, options we’d like to see carried over to the 50 automobiles.
The asking value hasn’t been formally introduced, however phrase on the road is that prospects have paid roughly €500,000. That’s greater than double the price of a completely loaded M8 Convertible when evaluating German costs. An excessive amount of? Not essentially. Except for the exclusivity issue, lots of the Skytop’s elements are individually manufactured by a devoted workforce. That form of craftsmanship absolutely doesn’t come low cost.
Video: Carspotter Jeroen / YouTube
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