Bitten by the same bug that inspired Rolls to make the Nightingale, BMW retrogresses to wagons, er, shooting brakes…
by Wallace Wyss –
What is it with these European automakers? They meet a few high rollers at a posh concours and then assume “Well, these guys are itching to spend, so we’ll make a special project.” BMW first introduced the Skytop concept convertible at last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and at that time said they would sell 50 which they did.
Now they are showing the Speedtop which is open air only in that it has removable roof hatches. The car produces 617 hp and 553 lb-ft from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 or that could be only for the Competition version. The M8’s eight-speed automatic is the only transmission mentioned.
The production model, which will be limited to 70 units, (with all of them ironically reported sold despite a price quoted at north of €500,000 ($580,000 at current exchange rates). The two tone interior looks very luxurious. A unique light bar runs across the ceiling to mirror the roof shape, a gimmick borrowed from the Bugatti Chiron.
The phrase “shooting brake” is being applied by some media. It is a British term used by the Lords and Ladies who have large estates with game hunting their goal.
Here’s the Design Critique:
FRONT Of course they have the dual kidney grille. The latter incorporate bright surrounds and horizontal bars, which are echoed on the intakes. There’s hot air release vents on the hood similar to those on the GTC/4 Ferrari.
SIDE Very smooth side. They resisted deep indentations. The chrome window trim is tasteful. The rear pillar is exciting but not overdone. The thin blade turn signal running lights do the job without attracting too much attention. The mag wheels will probably be hard to get for other BMW models. Note no traditional door handles — they eliminated them.
THE REAR Amazingly there is a separate spoiler. The blade thin taillamp wraps around from the side. There is a molded in rear spoiler on the roof in body color.
IN SUM Not that radical a design.They are taking a chance with that high a price, Ferrari can do it, but not BMW–too mass market a car.
THE PRICE The price mentioned is $580,000, far above other station wagons on the market. Where did they think they can get such a price? Well, BMW owns Rolls Royce, which is inaugurating a run of the 100 car run of Nightingale cars which will be far more costly.
BMW must have enough orders on the Nightingale to think special cars offered at special prices are the cat’s pajamas. But Bimmers are not Rollers, they could be reaching too high…
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR Wallace Wyss is currently doing a series of car design critiques. He can be reached at photojournalistpro2@gmail.com
Photos compliments of BMW.
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