If you’re a fan of traditional Japanese art, alongside the grandeur and grace of a BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, then get ready. The perfect union of classical Japanese drawings and German engineering has arrived, introducing the BMW 8 Series Kyoto Edition Gran Coupe. Complete with a lacquered center console designed by renowned lacquerware artist Shihoh Okada, the Kyoto Edition BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe takes pride in its oriental heritage.

With inspiration from the Japanese kimono’s obi (the sash used to prevent a kimono from dragging on the floor), and the iconic BMW slogan – “Freude am Fahren” (Sheer Driving Pleasure) – the Kyoto Edition symbolizes “the art of running.”

Known for his collaboration with Chanel, Okada brings his experience with the Metropolitan Museum of Art to create something truly unique. With vertical maki-e and raden (decorative techniques used in traditional Japanese crafts) patterns, the artwork imitates the flowing wind as you fly down the road. Inspired by the whoosh and speed of every journey, the Azurite Black from BMW Individual blends seamlessly with the Japanese landscape it travels through.

Just describing this incredible piece of vehicular art is like taking a lesson on Japanese culture and history. Featuring small pieces of pearl shells inlaid onto the urushi varnish (Japanese lacquer), the BMW 8 Series Kyoto Edition’s center console design is finished with maki-e (Japanese lacquer sprinkled with gold or silver powder as a decoration using a makizutsu or a kebo brush) and touches of gold.

Sporting a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 523 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission, you won’t find any performance upgrades in the Kyoto Edition. Instead, BMW Individual Manufaktur has fitted the 8 Series GC with bespoke upgrades.