Someone dropped some big money on this.
In a stunning fusion of high art and high performance, a BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe, custom-designed by renowned American artist Jeff Koons, has been sold for over $200,000. This unique vehicle, blending automotive engineering and artistic vision, represents a rare collaboration between Koons and BMW, creating an extraordinary collector's item that sold for $215,000.
See horrifying vintage crash test videos here.
Koons, known for his $91 million metallic rabbit sculpture – a record-holder for the most expensive artwork sold by a living artist – brought his distinctive style to BMW’s flagship sedan. The project produced 99 examples of the M850i in 2022, each meticulously crafted with a vibrant 11-color design, applied over a 285-hour process. The vehicle's exterior features comic book-style “POP” balloons and cartoon vapor thrusts, reminiscent of American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and nodding to Koons’ own 2010 M3 GT2 Art Car that participated in the Le Mans race.
Koons shared with Forbes in 2022, “I am not just paying homage to Roy; I am paying homage to popular culture.” His design for the BMW M850i is an ode to the artistic movements that have influenced his work, blending Surrealism, Dadaism, and Pop Art in a singular automotive expression.
Under the hood, the car boasts a powerful 523-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, complemented by an eight-speed automatic transmission from BMW’s M division. The vehicle is not just an art piece but also a marvel of engineering, equipped with BMW’s adaptive M suspension, advanced driver aids, including blind spot detection and 3D imaging, and an interior draped in playful blue and red leather.
Luxury amenities abound, from a head-up display and a Bowers & Wilkins audio system to wireless phone charging and four-zone automatic climate control. The car also features a panoramic sunroof and a special cupholder lid adorned with edition badging and Jeff Koons’ signature in Bavarian Blue.
Originally listed at a retail price of $350,995, the car attracted significant interest on Bring a Trailer, with the final bid soaring to $215,000. This sale highlights the extraordinary appeal of combining artistic mastery with automotive excellence, making this BMW M850i a unique piece of automotive and art history.
