The artist has created another showstopping art car, but this time, it's not a one-off.
BMW has a rich history of creating one-off art cars that have been enhanced by some of the finest artists on the planet. In recent times, it has also released a number of special edition creations based on the 8 Series, and now it is combining the two with a special collaboration. Working with American artist Jeff Koons, who penned the viral E92 M3 GT2 art car, BMW used the reveal of the updated 8 Series to tease a new special edition. That special edition has now been revealed as 'The 8 X Jeff Koons', and it features eye-popping colors both inside and out.
The special edition debuts to coincide with Frieze Los Angeles, an art fair of which BMW is an official sponsor and in which Koons is represented. “My edition of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is a dream come true,” says Koons. “It is completely unique, very special to me and I've wanted to create a special edition BMW for a long time. What matters is how we relate to each other and our awareness of everything we are surrounded by. This principle drove my creative vision for The 8 X Jeff Koons, and it's an exciting next chapter of co-creation with BMW.”
His first special edition BMW is quite noteworthy as it “represents one of the most extensive custom factory production processes ever undertaken by BMW.”
BMW goes on to say that the paint process requires 11 different stages and several hundred hours per vehicle to complete. Thus, just two cars will be produced per week by specialist teams in Germany, and each will come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Koons and BMW chairman and CEO Oliver Zipse.
As is obvious from both the exterior livery and the color scheme of the cabin, the world of superheroes and comic books was a key inspiration in this creation. The exterior combines 11 colors, many of which are shades of blue that resemble the vastness of space, tying into the fact that the BMW 8 Series is a globally available product. The exploding lines at the rear pay homage to the aforementioned GT2 art car, while the multi-colored interior comprised of high-end materials and fine leather evoke BMW's M division. If you don't get to see it in LA, the car will be displayed on New York City's Rockefeller Plaza from April 1-4 and then at a charity auction at Christie's New York on April 4. If you'd rather have one of your own to look at every day, you'd better be loaded and quick to act; just 99 will be made worldwide, and US pre-orders open today, February 16 at a cost of $350,000 before a $995 destination charge. Holy sudden incapacitation, Batman.
Keyword: BMW Reveals The 8 X Jeff Koons: A $350,000 Special Edition