The BMW Skytop Is Going Into Production. Here’s Our First Look at the Prototype

BMW confirmed in October plans to make a production version of the Skytop, a concept first shown at Villa d’Este earlier in 2024. The company is only making 50 examples, and they’re all already sold out. Now, we get to see a prototype of the 8-Series-based targa sports car for the first time.

The CarSpyMedia YouTube channel spotted this camouflaged Skytop test mule at the Nürburgring during a recent industry test pool session. The proportions and fascia look identical to the concept shown back in May. That means a long hood with thin headlights, horizontally slatted kidney grilles, and huge openings on either side of the front bumper.

The razor-thin taillights and turbine-inspired wheels also look to be carried over from the original concept. The one bit of new equipment is the targa top, which looks to be made of red cloth, at least on this test mule. It’s unclear if buyers will be able to customize the soft top’s color, though considering the low-production nature of the Skytop and its rumored $560,000 price tag, we wouldn’t doubt it. 

While it’s tough to see the Skytop’s cabin in this video, we suspect it’ll borrow much of the concept’s interior design, which itself took inspiration from the production 8 Series interior. That means two screens—one for the digital gauge cluster and another for the infotainment—followed by a center stack with physical buttons for the climate and radio.

BMW hasn’t confirmed any powertrain details, but the Skytop should be graced with the M8’s driveline, according to BMW Blog. That means a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 making 617 horsepower, sending power to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Deliveries should begin later this year, though it’s unclear how many Skytops are coming to the US.