What If BMW Made An SUV From Its Speedtop?

  • Independent render takes design cues from the Speedtop coachbuilt model.
  • The artist used the Xiaomi YU7 as a base, keeping similar overall proportions.
  • It masks its origin well, featuring many distinct design details from the concept.

BMW has had its fair share of divisive designs in recent years, with models like the XM, iX, and the latest 7-Series sparking strong reactions. But every now and then, the brand rolls out something that turns heads for the right reasons.

The new Speedtop is one of those hits, a coachbuilt stunner limited to just 70 units worldwide. Naturally, it raises an interesting question: what if a more mainstream BMW SUV took cues from that sleek design?

Read: Only 70 People Get This BMW Joke

That’s exactly what these renderings show. Eager to see what a new SUV from BMW could look like, perhaps taking the form of a second-generation XM, digital artist Theottle has created the BMW Speedcross. It takes the design of the Speedtop but morphs it into an SUV that should appeal to prospective buyers.

To create these renderings, Theottle chose a rather unlikely production vehicle: the new Xiaomi YU7. It’s not easy to tell, though, as he grafted on key details from the Speedtop. This includes the stunning front end complete with the same thin LED headlights and the sleek, low-profile kidney grilles.

Along the sides, the transformation is a bit more restrained. The YU7’s overall profile remains intact, though the prominent air vents behind the front wheels have been removed, giving the surface a cleaner finish. The door design has also been subtly refined to better match the more elegant proportions borrowed from the Speedtop.

What If BMW Made An SUV From Its Speedtop?
Illustrations Theottle
What If BMW Made An SUV From Its Speedtop?

Perhaps the finest angle of the Speedcross is the rear. Theottle’s render features slim LED taillights and a roof-mounted spoiler that echoes the Speedtop’s flowing silhouette. A body-colored rear diffuser adds a final touch, helping tie the whole design together while hinting at performance without going over the top.

According to reports from last year, the XM will not survive into a second generation. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering it didn’t prove popular with buyers, and will leave room in the brand’s line-up for a new SUV. If BMW wants a model that’ll sell well, it could do much worse than drawing on the Speedtop and Skytop for inspiration.

What If BMW Made An SUV From Its Speedtop?

The Auto World

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