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The BMW Concept Skytop Is The Car Cadillac Should Bring To Market

With no convertibles currently in its lineup, Cadillac should bring a vehicle similar to the BMW Concept Skytop two-seater concept car to market to get a vigorous foothold in this sporty, popular car configuration again.

According to the BMW announcement, the BMW Concept Skytop features a “unique and exotic design” and was showcased at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in late May 2024.

Rear three quarters view of the BMW Concept Skytop.

As it appeared at the event near the picturesque alpine shores of Lake Como in Lombardy, the BMW Concept Skytop features a sleekly aerodynamic, sculpted exterior whose exterior paint is described as “muted silver with chrome shadow effect.” The front fascia has the BMW shark-nose styling, highlighted by an illuminated grille and LED headlights in “milled aluminum carriers.”

The interior is finished in red-brown leather, and similar material is used as the finish on the removable two-part roof. The roof is built to stow in a dedicated compartment inside the trunk when the driver wants to enjoy the summer breezes and sun. The B-pillars are made with a fin style, and a leather-wrapped sport bar located behind the seats offers some protection in the event of a rollover.

Front view of the BMW Concept Skytop.

The BMW Concept Skytop also offers plentiful power to the driver, with the twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 BMW M gasoline engine equipped as standard. This engine develops 617 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. According to the automaker’s design head, Adrian van Hooydonk, the vehicle “offers a combination of driving dynamics and elegance at the highest level, comparable to its historic ancestors, like the BMW Z8 or BMW 503.”

Cadillac’s most recent convertible model, the Cadillac XLR, went out of production following the 2009 model year. Its high-performance XLR-V variant was motivated by the Northstar supercharged 4.4L V8 LC3 gasoline engine, which produced 443 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque and offered a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The base MSRP for the V-model in 2008 was $104,215.

Cockpit view of the BMW Concept Skytop.

It’s high time a new Cadillac droptop hit the roads to appeal to yet another sector of automotive enthusiasts currently overlooked by GM’s luxury brand—other than a single sketch that appeared in the dark, bleak winter days of early 2023.

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Comments

  1. Refreshed 1970’s AMC Javelin…

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  2. Wow! This is a stunning automobile. Definitely inspired by the Z8. And powered by a V8, no less!! Unfortunately, it’s become abundantly clear that Cadillac has no interest in continuing to develop ICE-powered passenger cars. The CT4 and CT5 are likely not long for this Earth. That leaves one passenger car in the lineup – the MEGA-priced, full EV “Celestiq” – the play toy for celebrities, professional athletes, and people with “Darth Vader” money. So, odds are they would never consider an ICE-powered convertible. While they are okay with truck-based ICE-powered Escalades (mega cash cows), with variations of the small-block V8, I don’t see GM making an investment in a new rear-drive platform to support sedans, coupes, or convertibles. Which is a damn shame.

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    1. Agreed. Karen Barra and lowercase gm will just put out yet another crossover (probably electric) and call it a day.

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    2. I don’t think ICE has anything to do with the appeal of this. It’s a beautiful design and has the right spirit. This would do very well as an EV as well.

      Interior is kind of bland though.

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      1. EV mechanical restraints would require jacking this vehicle up to put the battery underneath, would require closing the grill to keep drag low, and a much bigger top bar to support the weight of a rollover.

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      2. The dash is standard 8 series, which is what this is based on.

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  3. I’ll stick with my BMW Skytop 2001 Z3, danke schön.

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  4. This a specialty vehicle with a limited market, probably not a good place for Cadillac to spend development money. But I do believe that Cadillac should be producing and marketing Sedans, Full size sedans, like the XT6. Wait they are producing the CT6, but not marketing it in the US. Cadillac should bring the CT6 to the US and develop a car similar in character to the Seville. A high end sporty 4 door, 4 passenger sedan.

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  5. Cadillac had one and probably could still use that chassis to redesign it. The Cadillac Ciel concept

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  6. Yes, Cadillac should have a EV convertible. I’ve had Corvette and Camaro convertible. Have had a Lyriq for 10,000 miles and 5 months. I’m ready now to trade my Camaro SS convertible for a Camaro EV convertible. I’m ready for all my vehicles to be EV. Performance is incredible

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  7. Looks like a modern interpretation of a ’60s American coupe.

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  8. I find nothing to like in this concept design at all!

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  9. I know Cadillac has the capability to design and produce a nice convertible. But they won’t. Remember the Elmiraj concept? Sigh….

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  10. I love it get it to market keep price 70 to 80k$ people buy this car quickly! You will not be able to keep it in inventory! It fits today buyers. Throw in a free charger round off to a cool sold deal. Customer will be selfie happy! I sold cars for 44 yrs. Sold over 10,000 plus cars over 44yrs as a new car dealer salesman. I know what I am telling you as this is affordable and hot!

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    1. Have you seen prices on BMW’s? An M5 now is I think 130 starting. You are dreaming if you think this would be 70-80. Add a 1 in front of it if they opt to make it. And really it seems unfinished to me. The lines on the first shot are too simple and some of the other shots seem like it is out of proportion. Maybe in person it would look more coherent. The interior layout is also not very interesting to me. YMMV of course.

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  11. Best next gen Camaro concept I’ve seen so far, but it really should be a T-top and it needs a back seat.

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  12. There’s nothing about this design that Cadillac (or any other maker) should spend hundreds of millions to copy it…in return for a handful of sales.

    If it’s so wonderful, why doesn’t BMW bring it to market?

    Reply
  13. If BMW brings this convertible to market then Cadillac should bring a shorten CIEL convertible…. that’s a beautiful and elegant convertible

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  14. This should be the new Trans Am when GM brings Pontiac back……..

    Reply
  15. Cadillac makes SUVs… some very nice ones…
    Who seriously thinks this would make a good Caddy?
    Camaro maybe…

    Reply

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