BMW Skytop concept is a gorgeous V8 targa

BMW’s habit of revealing stunning concept cars at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Esta has continued, with the German marque this year unveiling a show-stopping targa-top two-door.

Called the BMW Concept Skytop, the tailor-made concept is based on a regular 8-Series but features bespoke bodywork, a unique leather-trimmed roof and has its own interior design embellished with crystal touch points.

It also, you’ll no doubt have noticed, has a normally sized kidney grille.

Other traditional BMW styling elements are present, too, including a sharknose and a raised ‘spline’ that runs through the entire centreline of the car from bonnet to tail.

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BMW says the spline is a design nod to the iconic BMW Z8 roadster of the late 1990s, of which the Skytop is something of a spiritual successor. Another link between the two cars is their engines: both feature petrol V8s under their long elegant bonnets. That’s right, there’s no soul-sucking EV powertrain at play here!

BMW says the Skytop’s V8 is “the most powerful V8 engine in the BMW drivetrain portfolio”, likely meaning the same 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre unit as you’ll find in the regular M8 Comp.

Other notable design touches include winglets at the top of the doors that replace traditional door handles, slimline LED headlights mounted on milled aluminium carriers and enormous lightweight 21-inch wheels that feature a lovely, understated design.

The roof itself features two leather-trimmed sections that can be manually removed and stored in the boot, while the rollover bar behind the seats is also finished in leather.

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Want even more cow hide? Slip inside the cabin and you’ll encounter a interior trimmed almost entirely from reddish-brown leather. A brogue-style pattern, like on your grandad’s favourite shoes, features on the seats and door panels, and the rear window can also be automatically lowered.

The Skytop is the latest in a long line of BMW concept cars to debut at Villa d’Esta where BMW has been a sponsor for 25 years. Other notable concepts include Chris Bangle’s Mille Miglia, 2008’s M1 Homage which previewed the i8, and last year’s Z4 shooting brake.

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So far none of the concepts have made production but there’s hope the Skytop might be the first. Speculation is rife BMW is hoping to built around 50 examples, all of which will become hand built collector’s items.