BMW has just pulled the covers off something pretty special—a striking two-door wagon called the Speedtop, and it’s only making 70 of them worldwide. Built on the formidable M8 platform, this limited-edition shooting brake blends raw power with a distinctive design, promising something genuinely rare for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The automotive world doesn’t get shaken often, but this? This feels like one of those moments. BMW unveiled the Speedtop at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, and it’s more than just a new model—it’s a bold statement of intent. With only 70 units slated for production, the Speedtop carries forward BMW’s quiet tradition of crafting bespoke, low-volume marvels.
A Design That Commands Attention
Design-wise, the Speedtop draws heavily from last year’s Skytop concept—except this time, it’s evolved into a fixed-roof, two-door wagon. The shape is immediately captivating: long bonnet, smooth roofline tapering into a sharply defined rear. It all works in harmony, almost like it’s been carved rather than assembled. And then there’s that unmistakable “shark nose” front end, a thoughtful nod to classic BMWs like the 507 and Z8. Flanking it are slimmer, more restrained headlights, adding to the overall elegance.
Perhaps more surprisingly, the iconic kidney grille—while still illuminated—isn’t trying to dominate the scene as it has in some other recent designs. Here, it blends in just enough, allowing other design cues to shine. And speaking of shine: the two-tone exterior paint job is mesmerizing. It flows from a rich Sunstone Maroon up front to a silvery Sundown Silver at the rear, adding a subtle sense of motion even when the car’s standing still.
Those bespoke alloy wheels deserve a mention too. With a turbine-like aesthetic, they seem to add a bit of drama, almost like they’re in motion before the car even rolls. The glasshouse, which stretches seamlessly into those muscular rear shoulders, really completes the Speedtop’s theatrical look. As Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW Group Design’s head, put it: “very unique in the automotive industry” and “an exclamation mark for our entire lineup of vehicles, especially for the Touring models.” It’s hard to disagree.
Interior Crafted for Luxury and Exclusivity
Step inside, and the Speedtop continues to push boundaries—especially within BMW’s customization program. Yes, it shares its general layout with the 8 Series, but almost everything else has been tailored. A rich, two-tone leather interior sets the tone. “Sundown Maroon” adorns the dashboard, door tops, and center console, while “Moonstone white” takes over the seats. It’s a deliberate contrast, and it works beautifully.
One of the more whimsical interior touches is an illuminated “spline” running along the leather headlining—there’s a bit of an Art Deco vibe to it, which feels both retro and futuristic at the same time. And then there’s the luggage. BMW collaborated with Italian leather specialist Schedoni to design bespoke travel cases that slot neatly into a dedicated rear compartment, held in place by leather straps. The boot itself isn’t exactly built for hauling furniture, but it’s lined in leather and offers split-level storage. All of it feels designed around the idea of an elegant weekend escape for two, not utilitarian chores.
Performance Underneath the Elegant Skin
Of course, none of this would mean much if the Speedtop couldn’t deliver under the hood. Thankfully, it does. The car sits on the M8’s architecture and borrows its firepower too: a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, likely pushing around 617 horsepower. BMW hasn’t shared official performance numbers just yet, but it’s probably safe to assume it’ll keep pace with the M8 Competition, which rockets from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.2 seconds.
Power is delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission and distributed via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. So yes, it’ll look elegant pulling up to a five-star hotel—but it’ll also hold its own on a mountain pass.
Limited Production and Availability
BMW’s decision to cap production at 70 units wasn’t arbitrary. It follows the intense demand for last year’s Skytop, of which only 50 were made—and sold almost instantly. With the Speedtop, the idea is to offer something still deeply exclusive, yet a touch more accessible. Orders are already open, but they’re limited to qualified customers, which probably means VIP collectors and long-time BMW loyalists.
Pricing hasn’t been formally announced, but considering the Skytop hovered around 56,820, it’s safe to expect the Speedtop to land in that same financial neighborhood. Whether that’s justifiable or not depends on your perspective, but there’s no denying the craftsmanship and individuality at play here. Each unit will be hand-assembled by BMW’s top-tier craftspeople, with obsessively close attention to detail.
That said, North American buyers might want to temper their excitement. Due to homologation costs, the Speedtop won’t be sold in those markets. It’s a bit of a shame, but perhaps it adds another layer of mystique to its appeal elsewhere.
A Stylish Farewell to the Internal Combustion Era?
In many ways, the Speedtop feels like a closing chapter—or maybe a love letter—to traditional performance design. As BMW prepares for its Neue Klasse era, marked by electric drivetrains and smoother silhouettes, the Speedtop might be one of the last truly analog-feeling vehicles of its kind. It’s modern, yes, but it also feels like a deliberate tribute to an age that’s quietly slipping away.
Whether it redefines exclusivity or simply celebrates it, the Speedtop is a fascinating blend of art, performance, and legacy. It’s not trying to be for everyone—and that, perhaps, is the whole point.
