In the world of luxury cars, BMW never fails to surprise us with bold innovations and exceptional designs that challenge convention. Just a year after unveiling the stunning Skytop roadster, the German automaker has reignited excitement—this time with an unexpected leak of a new “shooting brake” model called the Speedtop, which is set to make its official debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.
The Leak Before the Surprise
In an era where it’s nearly impossible to keep automotive secrets until the official reveal, leaked official images of the BMW Speedtop quickly spread across social media, especially on car design-focused accounts like “Cardesignworld” on Instagram. These images revealed the full exterior design before the global debut, giving BMW enthusiasts a chance to admire the brand’s latest creation.
Design Philosophy: Shooting Brake Elegance with a Sporty Spirit
The Speedtop adopts the same bold design language seen in the Skytop, but adds a touch of practicality and exceptional elegance with an extended roofline that slopes sharply to the rear glass, giving it a classic shooting brake character. Unlike the famously quirky Z3 “Clown Shoe,” the Speedtop is more streamlined and harmonious, appearing as a natural evolution of BMW’s luxury coupe lineup.
The Speedtop borrows many components from the Skytop, such as the front fascia, headlights, and grille, but moves away from the removable roof concept in favor of a fixed roof that gives the car a more powerful and cohesive presence. The look is completed with large sporty wheels, long doors, and side mirrors inspired by the 8 Series family.
Luxurious Cabin with Exclusive Touches
Inside, the Speedtop retains most of the Skytop’s interior details, with subtle changes to the color scheme, making it more subdued compared to the bold two-tone finishes in the Skytop. The car features the BMW 8 Series cabin layout, with a large digital display, premium materials, and meticulous stitching that reflects the brand’s identity.
Although the extended roof provides extra space behind the seats, the car remains closer to a sporty coupe than a family wagon, making it an ideal choice for those who crave distinction and dynamic driving without sacrificing luxury.
Expected Performance: M8 Competition Power Under the Hood
It is expected that the Speedtop will use the same platform and components as the 8 Series, including the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine found in the M8 Competition, which produces 617 horsepower. This engine ensures the car delivers the kind of breathtaking performance its sporty looks promise, with acceleration and responsiveness that place it among the elite high-performance luxury cars.
Between Reality and Imagination: Artistic Renderings and Production Prospects
Before the leaked images appeared, digital artists like “Sugar Design” shared their own visions of what a production version of the Speedtop might look like, including both two-door and four-door variants. While the idea of a traditional four-door wagon is appealing, the real spirit of the Speedtop is embodied in the two-door shooting brake version, which combines exclusivity with a sporty character.
Will the Speedtop See the Light of Day?
So far, BMW has not officially confirmed whether it will produce the Speedtop in limited numbers as it did with the Skytop (which will be limited to just 50 units). However, the significant buzz around the design and the car’s apparent readiness in the leaked images increase the likelihood that the Speedtop could see production, even if in very limited quantities, making it a rare automotive work of art.
The BMW Speedtop Shooting Brake leak highlights the Bavarian brand’s ability to innovate and boldly break the mold while maintaining BMW’s authentic identity. If the Speedtop reaches production, it will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated cars among luxury sports car enthusiasts, and may even outshine the Skytop in appeal and uniqueness. As we await the official unveiling, the world is eager to see what new heights BMW will reach in the race for design and performance.
Tamara is an editor who has been working in the automotive field for over 3 years. She is also an automotive journalist and presenter; she shoots car reviews and tips on her social media platforms. She has a translation degree, and she also works as a freelance translator, copywriter, voiceover artist, and video editor. She’s taken automotive OBD Scanner and car diagnosis courses, and she’s also worked as an automotive sales woman for a year, in addition to completing an internship with Skoda Lebanon for 2 months. She also has been in the marketing field for over 2 years, and she also create social media content for small businesses.
