The doors opened to the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy today, and while the prestigious event was conceived as a celebration of historic cars, it has evolved to include new concept cars and prototypes, some of which preview forthcoming production models.
BMW has played a large role in the organisation of the event since 1999 and it usually brings along a new concept car, and sometimes even a new high-end showroom model from the wider BMW Group (Rolls-Royce, for example). Last year, we had the BMW Concept Skytop, a vaguely 8 Series-like sports car with a removable 'targa' roof. It went on to limited production since, offered to just 50 buyers.
Buoyed by the success of the Skytop, BMW's designers have come up with an alternative body style for what is effectively the same model. It's called the BMW Concept Speedtop and it's a stylish reinterpretation of BMW's Touring estate layout. The vehicle on show in Italy is referred to as a concept car, but BMW has already confirmed it will go on sale. This time, 70 examples will be produced.
So it's a two-door estate?
That's one way to look at the Speedtop, but really, it's a practical coupe that references BMW's Touring style, and we reckon it looks even better than the Skytop it shares so much with.
So far as we can tell, there's no difference between the cars up to the windscreen header, and the large doors with their unusual opening button (it's effectively the same as is found on the BMW iX, incidentally) have been carried over as well.
Up front is a distinctive shark-nosed appearance with a wide, illuminated grille, simple surfacing and impossibly slender LED lights. The spine of the scalloped bonnet is repeated at the back of the Speedtop's roof as part of the spoiler, while the super-thin rear lights, burly sculpting and neatly integrated oval exhaust outlets of the Skytop are all retained.
The sloping rear hatch and the gentle rise of the new side window - with BMW's characteristic Hofmeister kink more or less intact - serve to enhance the muscularity of the rear haunches, which are further emphasised by the dished back wheels. The Speedtop's 14-spoke wheel design is bespoke to the car.
And in case you thought it was a trick of the lighting that the roof appears to change colour from front to rear, actually it does have a gradient, moving from 'Floating Sunstone Maroon' at the front to 'Floating Sundown Silver' at the back.
Stunning. Is the interior as gorgeous?
It certainly is in terms of colour and materials, complementing the exterior finish with a brown hue BMW refers to as 'Sundown Maroon'. This is contrasted by the 'Moonstone White' lower section of the cabin, including the two seats. The dashboard and switchgear are familiar from the BMW 8 Series beneath the new materials.
Swipe through our gallery and you'll spot that the external roof spine is mirrored inside with indirect LED lighting, while the centre console between the seats continues into the rear and wraps around the luggage area back there.
Straps hold bags in place - bespoke leather bags by Italian manufacturer Schedoni for the concept - and the boot behind mixes artisanry and style with a few practical touches.
There's more leather featuring brogue-style perforations, plus an eye-catching LED light all the way around the perimeter. Another Schedoni bag sits on the floor of course, but BMW has managed to create a large hidden storage area underneath as well.
Will it be fast enough to need to strap down the luggage?
It would appear so. Though no performance figures or other technical details have been disclosed, BMW admits that the Speedtop will be propelled by “the most powerful V8 engine currently offered”.
The Skytop featured the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 from the BMW M8, producing 625hp and 750Nm of torque. Mated to an eight-speed auto and xDrive all-wheel-drive, this results in 0-100km/h in just 3.3 seconds. We'd assume the Speedtop will get the same powertrain and figures.
When can we expect your review of the BMW Speedtop?
BMW has our number and we're waiting patiently for the call...