BMW reveals limited-run Speedtop

BMW unveiled yet another heady design study at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, held at Lake Como in Italy earlier this month, this time premiering a limited-run M8-based Shooting Brake called the Speedtop, which uses the “most powerful V8 engine currently offered”.

The concept car takes BMW’s recent Touring (wagon) focus to another level entirely, offering a shooting brake silhouette with stonking performance to match its elegant looks, and the best part is the Bavarian manufacturer plans to make 70 units.

Paying homage to the iconic late ‘90s BMW Z3 M ‘Clown Shoe’, and the Z4 Coupe concept unveiled at the Lake Como event in 2023, the new model is believed to be based on the latest M8 Competition, which uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 producing 460kW/750Nm.

If its performance is on-par with that of the all-wheel drive M8, the 0-100km/h jaunt should be possible in just over 3.0 seconds, making it the quickest wagon BMW ever.

Visually, the Speedtop features a distinct “shark-nose” design, with slim lights and an illuminated kidney grille, while a central hump runs from the bonnet to the rear spoiler.

Inside, BMW says it focused on the use of high-quality materials with “a strong focus to even the smallest detail”.

Two-tone leather upholstery features throughout the cabin, apparently dividing the “dynamic and functional areas” of the interior, while a light beam illuminates the rear compartment that is complete with Schedoni-made leather luggage straps.

Last year BMW used the same event to unveil the speedster-style Concept Skytop – also based on the manic M8 super coupe – which was produced in extremely limited numbers following strong customer demand.

“Last year, the presentation of the BMW Concept Skytop at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d'Este on Lake Como generated great enthusiasm among connoisseurs and automotive enthusiasts,” said BMW brand and product management senior vice president Bernd Körber.

“This led to a strictly limited production run of 50 units. Thanks to this positive response, this year we have decided to also offer the BMW Concept Speedtop in a limited production series of 70 units.

“This extraordinary vehicle is now available for order. We are pleased to be able to offer collectors and enthusiasts another exclusive model.”

The new Speedtop will undoubtedly be targeted by owners of the earlier Skytop, likely to land with a price tag that approaches seven figures – with the earlier Skytop reportedly setting buyers back around $900,000 – although BMW has not confirmed pricing for the ultra-limited-run model.