BMW unveils exclusive concept Speedtop: A Modern Take on the Shooting Brake

Could this be the spiritual successor to the much-loved Z3 Coupé?

At this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, BMW unveiled the Concept Speedster, a striking three-door shooting brake concept that combines classic Touring practicality with the sleek proportions of a coupé. With only 70 units available, this exclusive model is aimed squarely at collectors, and serves as a reminder that BMW can still design cars that turn heads when it wants to.

A nod to the past with a modern twist

With its long bonnet, short rear deck and pronounced V-shaped front end, the Speedtop exudes the same quirky charm that made the 1990s BMW Z3 Coupé a cult classic. However, unlike the Z3's polarising 'clown shoe' silhouette, the Speedtop features a more refined, elegantly tapered roofline that seamlessly integrates with the rear spoiler.

• Design highlights:

  • Shark-nose grille with illuminated kidneys

  • Two-tone 'Floating Sunstone Maroon' paint fading to silver on the roof

  • 14-spoke wheels designed exclusively for the Speedtop

  • Leather-wrapped interior with brogue stitching and ambient lighting

Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s head of design, calls it "the exclamation mark at the end of our entire line-up". He’s not wrong - this could well be the best-looking BMW in years.

Luxury meets performance

Beneath the bonnet, the Speedster boasts BMW's most powerful V8 engine, likely the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo unit found in the M8. However, exact output figures remain under wraps. Inside, the cabin is a masterclass in craftsmanship and features:

• Hand-stitched leather with intricate brogue perforations

• Custom Schedoni luggage (because exclusivity demands matching bags)

• Dual-compartment trunk for weekend getaways

Limited production 

Following the positive reception of last year's Skytop concept, which spawned a limited run of 50 units, BMW has given the go-ahead for 70 Speedtops to be produced. Pricing has not been disclosed, but expect to pay a significant premium - this is a collector's item, not a mass-market model.

The big question: Will BMW build more like this?

The Speedtop shows that BMW hasn’t lost its design flair; it simply chooses to showcase it selectively. While the brand has recently focused on SUVs and EVs, this concept (along with the Skytop) shows that there is still room for low-volume passion projects.

The Speedtop is a rare triumph for BMW's design team in an era of highly controversial styling. Hopefully, it will inspire more daring production cars, rather than just limited-run novelties.