BMW’s Speedtop is the gentleman’s Grand Tourer, Reinvented

Limited to just 70 models, this $500K shooting brake blends precision performance, couture-level craftsmanship, and brand-defining exclusivity.

At a place where elegance is a prerequisite and design heritage takes centre stage, BMW unveiled its latest showstopper: the Concept Speedtop. Debuting on the shores of Lake Como at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2025, the Speedtop isn’t just a new car—it’s a new chapter in what it means to drive in style. It’s a statement piece for the discerning gentleman. He values both presence and performance, old-world craftsmanship, and modern flair.

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“A true BMW exudes dynamism and elegance even when it’s standing still,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “And that’s also the case with our new concept car. The BMW Concept Speedtop is characterised first of all by its profile. It is very unique in the automotive industry. In this way, we have created an exclamation mark for our entire lineup of vehicles.”

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este provided the perfect canvas for the Speedtop’s reveal—a weekend-long exhibition of rare and historic vehicles set against the lavish estate of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este. The Italian lakeside atmosphere brought out the emotional side of the Speedtop’s design. It was timeless and transportive, and quietly powerful.

The Gentleman’s GT: Poised for the open road

Built on the same platform as the BMW M8, the Speedtop features what the brand calls its “most powerful V8 engine,” a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre producing an estimated 617 horsepower. But where the M8 veers toward aggressive athleticism, the Speedtop tempers that power with refined design and luxurious restraint. It’s a true Grand Tourer—made not just for speed, but for stylish, long-distance escapism.

The shooting brake body style offers a sophisticated twist. From the side, the extended roofline flows seamlessly into a hatchback. Moreover, a roof-mounted spine traces from the hood to a sculpted rear spoiler. This detail isn’t just structural; it’s symbolic. Hence, it nods to the artisanal craft and continuity found in bespoke tailoring.

Design that stands still and stuns

Dressed in a gradient from “Floating Sunstone Maroon” to “Floating Sundown Silver,” the Speedtop is designed to shimmer with changing light. The illuminated kidney grille and 14-spoke two-tone wheels add to its visual drama. Additionally, the hidden door handles and a shark-nose front end sharpen its silhouette.

BMW cites icons like the Z8 and the 503 as inspiration. It continues the Touring tradition seen in vehicles like the 328 Touring Coupé and more recently, the Skytop. “With its exclusive variability and its unique proportions in the form of an athletic Shooting Brake,” BMW says, “the Concept Speedtop continues the legacy of legendary Touring classics.”

“the Concept Speedtop continues the legacy of legendary Touring classics.”

Craftsmanship worthy of a collector

The inside of the Speedtop is just as artful. The two-tone leather interior blends Sundown Maroon with Moonstone White in a composition that clearly separates functional zones from luxurious touchpoints. A strip of ambient light runs the length of the roof’s interior spine. This offers a soft glow reminiscent of a modern gentleman’s lounge.

Schedoni, the famed Italian leather-goods maker known for crafting custom Ferrari luggage, created bespoke storage bags for the Speedtop. Two fitted compartments sit behind the front seats with matching straps. A larger duffel rests in a trunk lined in Budapest-style perforated leather and bathed in LED lighting.

“The elaborate craftsmanship in the exterior and interior was realised with the expertise of the Manufactory workshop at the BMW Group plant in Dingolfing,” notes BMW. Every inch of the Speedtop feels curated. It’s handcrafted and meant to be admired up close.

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The Skytop Legacy: Where it all began

Before the Speedtop stretched the silhouette, there was the Skytop—an open-top two-seater that turned heads when it debuted at the same Villa d’Este stage in 2024. With its flowing, sculpture-like body, sharknose front, and meticulous craftsmanship, the Skytop was a love letter to BMW’s roadster history—from the 507 to the Z8.

“The BMW Concept Skytop is a modern interpretation of timelessly elegant automotive design,” says Marcus Syring, BMW Designer. “Even when stationary, the vehicle radiates a refined dynamism.”

Its silhouette was made for the lakeside roads of Como, offering a blend of performance and serenity. With only 50 units produced and now completely spoken for, the Skytop paved the way for the Speedtop. Not just in design language but in defining BMW’s ultra-limited, design-forward collector strategy.

BMW’s rarest flex yet

While the Skytop was limited to just 50 units, the Speedtop edges out slightly with a production run of 70 cars. Still, this is no mass-market cruiser. It’s a halo car, built not just to drive, but to define BMW’s evolving identity in the ultra-luxury space.

“Thanks to the positive response [to the Skytop], this year we have decided to also offer the BMW Concept Speedtop in a limited production series of 70 units,” said Bernd Körber, Senior Vice President BMW Brand and Product Management. “We are pleased to be able to offer collectors and enthusiasts another exclusive model.”

Every Speedtop is more than a machine—it’s a curated experience. From the handmade luggage to the shimmering roof, and from the power under the hood to the poise in its profile, this is the new gentleman’s GT. Even when it sits quietly in a private collection, its presence speaks volumes.

For the man who has everything—except a $500K, hand-finished shooting brake from Lake Como.

Photos: Courtesy of BMW