Spy photographers have snapped the production BMW Speedtop. It closely echoes last year’s concept and will be limited to 70 units. Rear end has been lightly revised and model rides on new wheels. BMW introduced the Speedtop concept at last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and confirmed it would spawn a production model, which would be limited to 70 units, all of them believed to be spoken for despite a price north of €500,000 ($580,000 at current rates). Spy photographers have now caught the shooting brake undisguised and it looks virtually identical to the concept. More: BMW Is Thrashing A $580K 8-Series Shooting Brake At The ‘Ring For 70 Buyers Who Won’t Starting up front, we can see a familiar front fascia with slender headlights and a prominent kidney grille. The latter incorporate bright surrounds and horizontal bars, which are echoed on the intakes. SH Proshots They’re joined by a distinctive hood and a rakish windscreen that flows into a gently sloping roof. We can also see a unique greenhouse, which has a metallic surround that incorporates a door pull. While this is largely déjà vu, the road-going Speedtop has been equipped with revised wheels. Of course, these could simply be temporary units or near-production wheels that aren’t fully finished. Putting the wheels aside, we can see a lightly revised rear end that incorporates parking sensors as well as angular reflectors. The rear bumper also appears to have some slight tweaks around the license plate recess, but it’s hard to be certain at this point. Baldauf Spy photographers didn’t get a look inside, but the cabin should largely carryover from the 8-Series. However, we can expect a higher level of craftsmanship as well as special touches such as a leather headliner and cargo area. When BMW introduced the concept last year, the company was coy on specifications. However, they confirmed it was “fitted with the most powerful V8 engine” currently offered by the automaker. That’s vague, but the model should echo the Skytop which has a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 developing 616 hp (460 kW / 625 PS). It’s connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system, which enables the roadster to run from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in around 3.3 seconds. Baldauf
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