- The 8 x Jeff Koons is a limited-edition 2023 BMW M850i Gran Coupe designed by artist Jeff Koons.
- Its colorful paint job evokes comic-book themes and is said to take 285 hours per car to complete.
- BMW will only sell 99 copies of the car worldwide, with U.S. versions priced at $350,995.
American artist Jeff Koons and BMW have teamed up once again, this time using a 2023 BMW M850i Gran Coupe as the canvas. The result is a colorful rolling art piece that’s been dubbed the 8 x Jeff Koons and will be limited to just 99 copies worldwide. Models allocated for the U.S. market will each cost $350,995 and pre-orders are available now.
While that price tag is roughly a quarter-million dollars more than you’ll pay for an un-optioned 2023 M850i Gran Coupe, which we expect to start around $100,000, the 8 x Jeff Koons is considered more of a collectible than a daily driver. Of course, if owners do choose to get behind the wheel, it has a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system on offer.
The paint job alone on the 8 x Jeff Koons is 99-of-a-kind and labor-intensive. BMW says that it requires 11 different stages and takes 285 hours per car to apply. The undertaking is said to be among the company’s “most extensive custom factory production processes ever.” The result is that only two cars will be produced every week. Included in every purchase is a unique VIN number and a certificate of authenticity signed by Koons and BMW CEO Oliver Zipse.
The vivid coloring isn’t limited to the exterior, either, with Koons’ customization continuing inside the M850i. The blinding red and blue seats are said to evoke both BMW’s M performance division and comic-book superheroes. Indeed, the upholstery looks like it could be repurposed for a Spider-Man suit. Also, on the retractable cover located at the front of the center console, there’s a badge that reads “The 8 x Jeff Koons” along with the artist’s signature.
BMW and Koons previously collaborated on a 2010 M3 GT2 art car that was somehow even more colorful than this new M850i. The E92 M3 even raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 8 x Jeff Koons isn’t expected to participate in any sanctioned races, but following its digital debut today at the Frieze Los Angeles art show, it’ll be displayed at Rockefeller Plaza in New York from April 1 to 4. On that final day, one car will be auctioned off by Christie’s, with all proceeds going to charity.
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Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
