All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

BMW Skytop and Speedtop finally in the same place

BMW has taken plenty of heat in recent years over its polarizing design language, but even its harshest critics are falling silent in the presence of its latest creations: the Skytop and Speedtop. These two bespoke beauties mark a rare moment of near-universal praise for the Bavarian automaker, combining stunning retro-modern aesthetics with the performance pedigree of the M8.

Now, for the first time, both models are showcased side-by-side under one roof at BMW Welt in Munich—an exhibition that feels as much like a celebration as it does a product display.

Built on a Solid Foundation

While the Skytop and Speedtop are dripping in bespoke flair, their underpinnings are rooted in familiar excellence. Both are based on the M8 chassis, benefitting from BMW’s flagship GT’s powertrain and handling prowess. But beyond the engineering, the design tells a different story. These aren’t just rebodied 8 Series variants—they’re bold reinterpretations of classic body styles: a targa-roof convertible in the Skytop, and a dramatic shooting brake in the Speedtop.

BMW Group Head of Design Adrian van Hooydonk recently shared images of the duo on Instagram, igniting excitement across the automotive world. The Skytop has already sold out, but there are still a few precious build slots remaining for the Speedtop. As for pricing? BMW remains tight-lipped, but reports suggest both models hover around the €500,000 mark.

Exclusivity Comes at a Cost

That price tag brings more than just exclusivity—it also demands a few compromises. Neither car features rear seats, a sacrifice in practicality that won’t deter their target audience: ultra-wealthy buyers willing to spend Rolls-Royce money on a BMW. Just 120 units will be built in total—70 Skytops and 50 Speedtops—ensuring their rarity from day one.

Production of the Speedtop isn’t scheduled to begin until late 2026. Due to the high cost of U.S. homologation, neither model will be officially sold stateside. However, they could still make their way across the Atlantic under “show and display” exemptions, similar to the ultra-rare 3.0 CSL.

Speaking of Legends

The Skytop and Speedtop may seem expensive, but they don’t top the list of BMW’s most extravagant offerings. That title goes to the limited-run 3.0 CSL—a modern homage to the original E9 “Batmobile”—which allegedly carried a €750,000 price tag. Limited to just 50 units and based on the M4 CSL, it holds the distinction of being the most powerful inline-six BMW ever built.

The future may hold more high-end surprises. Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M, confirmed to BMWBLOG that another special M project is in the pipeline.

Design With a Purpose?

The retro-infused design language of the Skytop and Speedtop could hint at a larger aesthetic shift for BMW. While it remains unclear whether these styling cues will influence mainstream models, the upcoming Neue Klasse design philosophy—previewed on prototypes like the iX3 and i3—suggests a turn toward smoother, more minimalist forms.

Gone, perhaps, will be the excessive creases and sharp lines that have defined recent BMWs. In their place: the flowing, elegant contours seen on these limited-run masterpieces. One can only hope that some of the Skytop and Speedtop’s artistry will trickle down to models that the average enthusiast might one day afford.

Source: BMW; Photo: adrian.van.hooydonk via Instragram

News

The Bentley Pickup: Absurd Fantasy or Imminent Reality?

At Bentley, the rules of conventional carmaking have never applied in quite the same way. If your imagination is vivid enough—and your wallet deep enough—almost nothing is off the table. From custom-built station wagons to ultra-luxury SUVs, the British marque has long entertained the whims of its wealthiest clientele. And now, in perhaps the boldest conceptual leap yet, Bentley is entertaining the idea of a pickup truck.

Yes, you read that correctly—a Bentley pickup.

The idea came to light in a recent interview with Australia’s CarSales.com, where Bentley’s board member for sales and marketing, Christophe Georges, hinted that the ultra-luxury brand is open to just about anything. When asked about the feasibility of building a pickup, Georges didn’t dismiss it. Instead, he offered a typically Bentley-esque response: such a vehicle could be “cool, beautiful or interesting.”

Of course, that’s not to say it’s in the pipeline. Georges was quick to clarify that no such model is under development, and crucially, no one has placed an order—yet. “There’s no real demand,” he noted. But with Bentley’s bespoke division constantly pushing the limits of automotive couture, it might only take one eccentric billionaire to change that.

Historically, the concept of a luxury pickup has been a rocky road. The early 2000s saw the Lincoln Blackwood—a Ford F-150 in formalwear—fail to capture consumer interest, and Mercedes-Benz‘s X-Class met a similar fate, surviving just three years on the market despite its premium pretensions. These efforts, though bold, revealed an uncomfortable truth: luxury and utility don’t always mix seamlessly.

But the automotive landscape has shifted. Today’s buyers, particularly at the top end, are more interested in exclusivity than practicality. As segments blur and category lines dissolve, a Bentley pickup—perhaps with rich wood paneling, diamond-stitched leather seats, and a bespoke tailgate for polo gear or vineyard tours—no longer feels like satire. It feels inevitable.

Evidence of this shift can already be found in the real world. In 2023, the one-off Bentley Decadence made headlines in the UK. Crafted by DC Customs, this wild transformation of a Flying Spur into a luxury pickup was priced at a cool £150,000. While not a factory project, it demonstrated that demand—even if niche—exists.

And that’s the key with Bentley: it doesn’t take mass-market interest to justify a build. All it takes is one buyer with a dream and a checkbook. As history has shown, “impossible” isn’t a word in the brand’s vocabulary. It’s just another design brief away.

So, will we one day see a Bentley pickup pulling up to a country estate or cruising through the Hamptons? It may sound absurd now—but in the realm of bespoke luxury, the line between absurd and aspirational is thinner than ever.

After all, at Bentley, “no” often just means, “how much are you willing to pay?”

Source: CarSales.com; Photo: DC Customs

EV

Porsche Cayenne Electric Brings High Tech and Big Power

In a bold yet balanced move, Porsche has reaffirmed its commitment to internal combustion engines amid the luxury EV sector’s slower-than-expected growth. But make no mistake—the Stuttgart marque is not hitting the brakes on electrification. Case in point: the all-new Porsche Cayenne Electric, captured in fresh spy shots that reveal a near-production-ready prototype ahead of its global debut later this year.

And from what we can see, it’s shaping up to be a technological powerhouse wrapped in unmistakable Porsche style.

Screen-Filled Cockpit

Inside, the Cayenne EV makes it clear that Porsche is embracing the digital age like never before. The dashboard features no fewer than four displays, arranged in a layered layout that blends cutting-edge tech with traditional Porsche cues. A curved, non-touch driver display acts as a configurable gauge cluster, while two touchscreens—one in the center and another directly in front of the passenger—are seamlessly integrated under a single pane of glass, stretching elegantly across two-thirds of the dash.

But the Cayenne goes even further than its Macan Electric sibling by adding a fourth touchscreen on the lower center console, presumably for climate and comfort controls. Physical switches are nearly extinct, save for a few toggle buttons for temperature adjustment and a rotary thumbwheel for volume—likely a nod to those who still appreciate tactile feedback.

Topping the dash is the iconic Porsche Sport Chrono clock, a design touch that has endured since the 997-generation 911. The new Cayenne also adopts the dash-mounted toggle-style gear selector seen in Porsche’s recent four-door models. Interestingly, the center console sports a unique raised design, possibly concealing a wireless smartphone charging tray below.

Familiar Face, New Foundations

The prototype seen in these spy shots wears only light camouflage—just some faux lighting decals and grille stickers—to obscure its final details. But it’s evident that the Cayenne EV will share visual DNA with the Macan Electric, sporting similar front-end treatments and muscular proportions.

More importantly, it rides on a stretched version of Volkswagen Group’s PPE platform, which also underpins the Macan EV and Audi’s Q6 and A6 e-tron models. Unlike an electrified variant of the current gas-powered Cayenne, this is an entirely new vehicle developed from the ground up for battery-electric propulsion.

Powertrain Expectations

Performance specs haven’t been confirmed, but the Cayenne Electric will likely share key drivetrain elements with the Macan EV. Expect it to skip the Macan’s base rear-wheel-drive 335 hp motor and instead launch with dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations starting at 402 hp. A high-performance Turbo variant is all but guaranteed, promising figures well north of the Macan Turbo’s 630 hp output—likely positioning it as the most powerful Cayenne ever made.

Pricing and Launch

The Cayenne Electric is scheduled to be launched in late 2025, with sales starting in 2026. The starting price of the entry-level model is expected to be around $90,000, while turbocharged models will cost over $120,000.

While Porsche may be doubling down on combustion engines for now, the Cayenne EV is proof that the brand’s electric future remains very much in motion—and it’s coming in hot.

Source: Porsche; Photo: SHProshots

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Porsche Cayenne Electric Brings High Tech and Big Power