Remember that BMW Concept Skytop we told you about back in May? The one that turned heads at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este like a supermodel at a trainspotters' convention? Well, it seems BMW wasn't just teasing us. They've gone and decided to actually build the thing. The BMW Skytop V8, as it's now officially christened, is making the leap from concept to reality. But before you rush down to your local BMW dealership with a blank cheque, I'm afraid I have some bad news. They're only making 50 of these machines, and in a twist that will surprise absolutely no one, they're all sold already. Presumably to people who have garages larger than the average school. Now, let's talk about what makes the BMW Skytop V8 special, shall we? For starters, it's packing the same 4.4-liter V8 engine we raved about in our previous article. This isn't just any old V8, mind you, but the 617-horsepower twin-turbocharged behemoth from the M8 Competition. It's an engine that doesn't just move the car, it practically teleports it. But the BMW Skytop V8 isn't just about raw power. Oh no. Every single body panel is bespoke. It's as if BMW's designers decided to pay homage to every open-top Beemer in history, all at once. There are hints of the 503, whispers of the 507, and more than a passing nod to the Z8. The result is a car that looks like nothing else on the road, which, let's be honest, is rather the point when you're spending this kind of money. And then there's the roof. Or rather, the lack of it. The BMW Skytop V8 features a targa-style setup where the roof panels need to be manually removed. It's a charming nod to sports cars of yesteryear, although one imagines the owners might be less charmed if caught in an unexpected downpour. BMW is being coy about the price, but given the limited production run and the bespoke nature of the car, you can bet it'll cost more than your average semi-detached house. But then again, if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. The BMW Skytop V8 is excessive, it's probably impractical, and it's almost certainly brilliant fun to drive. In other words, it's everything a proper sports car should be.
