BMW 8 X Jeff Koons confirmed for Australia, only one coming
If you’re looking for the ultimate artistic statement piece for the road, look no further.
BMW has confirmed that it will bring a colorful M850i xDrive Gran Coupe version to Australia in the third quarter of 2022.
Also known as the 8 X Jeff Koons, this exclusive 8 Series Gran Coupe was created by world-renowned pop artist Jeff Koons as the culmination of a multi-year project.
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Only one of a total of 99 vehicles produced will come Down Under for a customer to purchase at a price to be confirmed.
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Expect the local price for the 8 X Jeff Koons to be significantly higher than the $282,900 before asking the road asking price of the regular M850i xDrive Gran Coupe.
Naturally, the BMW 8 X Jeff Koons coming to Australia will be right-hand drive, allowing it to be registered on the road, and has an “expressive and eye-catching design” inside and out.
On the outside, the 8 X Jeff Koons has an exterior finish that combines 11 different paint colors, including blue, silver, yellow, and black.
The exterior finishes include elements of pop art and geometric patterns that are said to “pay tribute to the intricate contours and shape of the 8 Series Gran Coupé”.
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Along the sides of the car are star-like shapes and ‘vapor thrust’ images that are said to symbolize the power and speed of the 8 X Jeff Koons. There are also the iconic “POP!” symbols on each side.
Only four special 8 Series Gran Coupe models are painted weekly, each taking 285 hours of manual labor.
Specialists carry out painting in BMW’s German factories in Dingolfing and Landshut.
Color samples are often applied with magnifying glasses to ensure they are precise and accurate during the painting process.
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Inside the BMW 8 X Jeff Koons is a bright interior with red and blue seats and a cup holder lid with edition badges and the artist’s signature.
Each vehicle has a full-size certificate, personally signed by Jeff Koons and BMW AG Chairman of the Board Oliver Zipse. It also has the VIN of the car in question.
The special edition is mechanically unchanged from the regular M850i xDrive Gran Coupe.
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This means that it is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with an output of 390 kW and a torque of 750 Nm. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels via an xDrive all-wheel drive.
The BMW 8 X Jeff Koons is not the first BMW model designed by Jeff Koons.
In 2010, the American artist created the BMW Art Car, a BMW M3 GT2 racer painted in pop art style with a large splash graphic on the back and vibrant colors.
Click on an image to view the full gallery.
