Special edition one-offs, while unique in their own right, are common to see throughout the automotive space. The sheer number of luxury brands, as well as a large number of car fanatics with deep pockets, make creating bespoke, custom-themed luxury vehicles a regular occurrence. There have been several occasions where high-profile artists helped design an avant-garde automobile, but rarely do you actually see these artistic cars actually sold in significant numbers to the public. BMW seeks to break this mold by selling a limited run of Pop Art-themed M850i xDrive Gran Coupés designed by iconic artist Jeff Koons.
Dubbed “the most elaborately designed vehicle in all of BMW’s history,” THE 8 X JEFF KOONS is a hyper-stylized M850i xDrive Gran Coupé. After years of collaboration with the German automaker, Koons was finally able to design his dream car. This resplendent model showcases energetic Pop Art styling and combines eleven different exterior colors ranging from blue to silver as well as from yellow to black. Each car takes over 200 hours just to paint its exterior, but the painstaking approach in artistry pays dividends. The Pop Art styling works wonderfully with the geometric elements that accentuate the curvature of the Gran Coupé. Fans familiar with Koons’ past BMW art cars will recognize the exploding line motif.
The interior of THE 8 X JEFF KOONS is similarly glorious to its exterior beauty. Its seats feature premium leather upholstery that’s finished in bright blue and red, which is a nod to the classic superhero colors used in the Golden Age of comics. While the exterior’s colors and style are energetic, explosive, and dynamic, the interior’s design is a bit more subdued and understated — but certainly not boring. Every aspect of the interior is detailed wonderfully, down to the cupholder panel featuring Koons’ signature.
The first 8 X JEFF KOONS will be on display at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza before being auctioned by Christies, with its proceeds going to the International Center for Missing & Exploited Children. There will be 99 total cars produced, with pricing information available upon request.
