It’s official: BMW is flexing its coachbuilding muscles once again, and this time it’s with the breathtaking Skytop M8 Targa. Unfortunately, if you’re hoping to get your hands on one, I’ve got some bad news, it’s already sold out. Every single one of the 50 units has been snapped up, long before the ink on the production plans even dried.

This isn’t BMW’s first foray into the world of ultra-exclusive builds. Back in 2022, they resurrected the legendary 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile,’ with a limited run of just 50 units, built on the M4 chassis. And who can forget last year’s tease a shooting brake inspired by the iconic ‘Clownshoe’ Z4 M40i. Sadly, that one never made it to production, but now, BMW’s dipping into the targa waters with the stunning Skytop, an 8 Series-based open-top beauty.

Now confirmed for production, the Skytop is set to have a limited run of just 50 units. And surprise, surprise, they’re all spoken for. No official word on pricing, but the rumor mill has it pegged at around €500,000. Even at half a million euros, this wouldn’t be the most expensive new BMW ever that crown still goes to the aforementioned 3.0 CSL, which allegedly tipped the scales at €750,000.

If we assume the Skytop was priced around €500,000, that’s quite a leap over the M8 Competition Convertible on which it’s based, a car you can have for around €150,000 before options. But this is no ordinary M8. The Skytop is more than just a convertible; it’s a collectible.

Along with the production confirmation comes a bit more detail on the Skytop’s tech specs. Under the hood, you’ll find BMW’s tried-and-tested 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8, kicking out a hearty 460 kW (617 Hp). It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, just like the M8. The numbers back up the familiar performance figures too, a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.3 seconds, right in line with the standard M8 Competition Convertible.

But where the Skytop really sets itself apart is its design. While the M8 is a bit divisive in its looks, the Skytop takes its cues from BMW’s greatest hitsthe 507 and Z8. Clean, elegant lines, a shark-nose front end that harks back to BMW’s glory days, and none of the fussy design elements we’ve seen in recent models. In short, it’s a return to form. 

One major difference from the M8 is the roof. The Skytop swaps the M8’s retractable fabric roof for two manually removable targa panels, each wrapped in synthetic leather. Yes, you’ll have to get out and take them off yourself, but there’s a dedicated spot in the boot for storage. Just don’t get caught in the rain.

However, for all its bespoke exterior beauty, there is one gripe: the interior. For around €500,000, you might expect something completely unique, but the Skytop borrows much of its cabin from the M8. BMW promises “handpicked materials,” but the layout is still the same. Depending on your point of view, that could be a good thing it’s an older design, free from the current trend of dashboard-dominating screens.

BMW’s decision to put the Skytop into production came after a “rapturous response” when the concept was unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in May. Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s head of design, called it a “dream come true” that Munich’s top brass gave the green light for this limited series. For those lucky 50 buyers, that dream has already become a reality.