US artist Jeff Koons gives 99 BMW 8 Series a Pop Art makeover
An exclusive run of 99 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupés have been transformed by artist Jeff Koons and BMW are releasing them for you to purchase.In this latest collaboration between BMW and American artist Jeff Koons, the BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé has been given a visual makeover inspired by Koon’s signature art-pop style.
The expressive and striking design combines eleven different exterior colours including the BMW signature Bavarian Blue. On the inside, the multi-coloured interior is comprised of high-end materials and the seats are covered in red and blue leather which gives them a Spiderman suit inspired look. The exploding lines of colour on the car's rear pay homage to Koon’s 2010 BMW Art Car.
“My edition of the BMW 8 Series is my dream car! It is very special to me and I’ve wanted to create a special edition BMW for a long time,” says Koons, “It is sporty and flashy as well as minimalist and conceptual. I can’t wait to drive it and ride in it, and I hope that people will enjoy the Gran Coupé just as much as I do.”
Over 200 hours of manual work were spent by highly specialised professionals at BMW Group plants in Dingolfing and Landshut on the exterior paintwork alone, where the colour samples were even applied with magnifying glasses. Only four cars were painted each week.
Each vehicle comes with a large-format certificate signed by Jeff Koons, which in addition to BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse's signature also contains the individual Vehicle Identification Number of the respective vehicle. The artist also designed the dust jacket of the Driver's Manual. One further signature of the artist is found in the cupholder panel.
Following its world premiere, THE 8 X JEFF KOONS will be presented at numerous art fairs and events in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, including the 16th Istanbul Contemporary, Paris Photo, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Art Dubai, West Bund Art & Design Fair Shanghai and Art Basel Hong Kong. BMW has donated the first one to benefit charity as part of a Christie's auction in New York on April 4.
The remaining hand-painted examples will be available to buy for US$350,995.
Since 1975, 19 artists from around the world have created a BMW Art Car including Roy Lichtenstein, Esther Mahlangu, Jenny Holzer, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Ólafur Elíasson, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, Cao Fei and John Baldessari. Jeff Koons designed the 17th BMW Art Car in 2010, the BMW M3 GT2, which also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Related: The seven coolest designs from BMW's Art Car collection
Related: How Ken Done’s BMW Art Car came to be
Related: What it’s like visiting the BMW Museum in Munich for a first timer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
