BMW Concept Speedtop, a shooting brake for tomorrow

It has become a classic at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance on the shores of Lake Como. Every year, BMW takes advantage of the Italian event it owns to present a concept car. This year again, it is continuing the tradition by unveiling the Speedtop concept. The architecture resembles a Z3 Coupé with shooting brake lines, but the proportions place the Munich-based firm's latest prototype in the upper category. The Speedtop is clearly inspired by the Skytop concept presented last year. The elegance and balanced proportions guided the work of the designers under the direction of Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Design Director.

This year's concept takes up the stylistic attributes characterized by a very flared and refined double kidney grille compared to the manufacturer's latest creations, slender headlights, a long sculpted hood and a marked shoulder.

In keeping with the prestigious exterior style, the luxurious interior ambiance is enhanced by the choice of fine materials, remarkable workmanship, and tasteful color schemes. The trunk has not been forgotten. It is covered in leather and features a light beam. In collaboration with the high-end Italian leather manufacturer Schedoni, the trunk can accommodate custom-made bags.

Like the Skytop roadster, which will be produced in a limited series of 50 units, the Speedtop shooting brake will be limited in production. BMW has already announced that it will produce 70 units. Based on the discontinued 8 Series, these two models will be powered by the most powerful V8, namely the 4.4-liter twin-turbo unit producing 625 horsepower, which powers the M8 Competition.