When the worlds of art and automotive design collide, something extraordinary happens—and Jeff Koons’ collaboration with BMW is the perfect example. After years of meticulous work, Koons and BMW unveiled THE 8 X JEFF KOONS, a limited edition masterpiece based on the BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupé. With only 99 units produced worldwide, this exclusive model represents one of the most ambitious and intricate design projects in BMW’s history.
The car made its global debut at Frieze Los Angeles, marking another milestone in BMW’s long-standing partnership with the international art fair. Represented by Pace Gallery, Jeff Koons brought his signature pop art energy and conceptual depth to the project, turning the Gran Coupé into a vibrant expression of creativity and motion.
A Vision of Energy and Emotion
For Koons, this collaboration was deeply personal. “This is my dream car,” he explained, describing how he sought to merge sportiness, elegance, and conceptual art into one design. Every detail of THE 8 X JEFF KOONS reflects movement and vitality—the bold lines stretching from hood to trunk suggest acceleration, while the “POP!” graphics and vapor trail motifs evoke speed and excitement. The deep blue tones, symbolizing the vastness of space, highlight the car’s universal appeal and sense of connection.
A True Work of Craftsmanship
Creating each car required an astonishing 200 hours of labor just for the exterior paint. Skilled craftsmen at BMW’s Dingolfing and Landshut plants applied eleven distinct colors—ranging from shimmering blue and silver to bright yellow and black—with some details painted under magnifying glasses to ensure perfection. The interior continues this elaborate design approach, featuring fine leather, rich materials, and a mix of vivid red and blue tones inspired by comic book heroes and BMW’s iconic M performance division.
Every vehicle includes Koons’ signature and a unique certificate signed by both the artist and BMW CEO Oliver Zipse, along with the car’s individual identification number. Even the driver’s manual carries a custom dust jacket designed by Koons, who used the signature Bavarian blue from BMW’s emblem to leave his mark throughout the car.
Art Meets Philanthropy
Koons’ connection with BMW dates back to 2010, when he designed the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car that competed at Le Mans and was later exhibited at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. That same year, musician Bono predicted that Koons would one day help design the “car of the future”—a statement that has now come true.
To celebrate the launch, THE 8 X JEFF KOONS was displayed at Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza, with one specially signed car later auctioned at Christie’s in New York. All proceeds benefited the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), a cause Koons has supported for more than twenty years.
Continuing a Legacy of Artistic Innovation
The collaboration extends BMW’s rich tradition of blending fine art with engineering excellence. Since the first BMW Art Car was created by Alexander Calder in 1975, artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jenny Holzer, and David Hockney have transformed BMW vehicles into rolling sculptures. Koons’ latest project honors this legacy while pushing it into the future—combining craftsmanship, emotion, and technology in a way that celebrates both human creativity and mechanical precision.
A Celebration of Movement and Imagination
More than just a luxury vehicle, THE 8 X JEFF KOONS embodies the spirit of collaboration between two worlds that thrive on innovation. It is a moving piece of art, a symbol of power and imagination, and a reminder that design can be both functional and profoundly inspiring. For car lovers and art enthusiasts alike, this limited edition BMW is not just a collector’s item—it’s a statement of what happens when creativity meets engineering excellence.
