The highly anticipated new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé made a remarkable debut at ApeFest 2024, hosted in Lisbon by the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). Just two days after the official announcement, BMW unveiled the sporty four-door model in an exclusive setting, marking one of the festival’s standout moments. Known for its innovative fusion of Web3 culture and digital artistry, ApeFest is a signature event for BAYC, attracting tech-savvy individuals with a passion for creativity, innovation, and luxury.
BAYC, famous for its collection of 10,000 unique non-fungible tokens (NFTs), gathers digital enthusiasts and forward-thinkers at this annual festival. BMW’s partnership with the event proved a perfect match, as both brands share a strong drive for technological advancement and creativity. This year’s ApeFest saw NFT holders enjoy exclusive digital experiences while exploring BMW’s latest automotive innovations.
Carlos Sainz: A Grand Entrance
“We’re thrilled to present the progressive new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé to a digitally savvy and technologically engaged audience,” said Stefan Ponikva, Vice President of BMW Group Customer Formats and BMW Brand Experience. He added, “The response from the BAYC community to our digital innovations has been phenomenal. Not only did we bring the popular Dookey Dash: Unclogged game into the vehicle, but we also integrated the vehicle into the game itself.”
At the event, two models of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé were displayed, featuring BMW’s latest in-car gaming experiences. A standout moment was the unveiling of a one-off model created as part of an art contest held by Yuga Labs in collaboration with BMW. The winner, Dubai-based artist Rida, crafted a sleek design with golden accents and intricate ape-inspired patterns, reinforcing the connection between the community’s ethos and BMW’s design philosophy.
BMW and In-Car Gaming Innovation
Continuing to push boundaries in the digital space, BMW introduced a beta version of Dookey Dash: Unclogged, a high-paced in-car game developed in collaboration with Yuga Labs. This latest iteration allows players to race through a virtual underwater world, driving a 3D model of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. Integrated into BMW’s Operating System 9, the game represents a new frontier for in-car entertainment and is available through BMW’s ConnectedDrive Upgrades and the Digital Premium package.
Exclusive BMW Lifestyle Collection for ApeFest
In celebration of ApeFest’s spirit of personalization, BMW introduced a unique collection of BMW Lifestyle products, including the BMW Mechanics Jacket featuring interactive patches. Attendees could further customize these items, reinforcing the shared culture of exclusivity and individuality that defines both BMW and the BAYC community.
BMW M Driving Experience at ApeFest 2024
The festival also marked the premiere of an enhanced version of BMW M Mixed Reality (MMR), a cutting-edge driving experience blending real-world and virtual elements. This immersive experience, available in specially designed BMW M models, allowed ApeFest attendees to explore a digital version of Lisbon while driving high-performance vehicles like the BMW M2 and BMW M4 Competition Coupé. The integration of BAYC-specific content made this phygital experience even more captivating.
ApeFest attendees also had the chance to marvel at the BMW M2 Ice Racer, a custom creation that highlighted BMW’s winter driving programs in Sweden. Exclusively available to BAYC community members, this winter training session offers a thrilling combination of ice drifting and bespoke activities.
The collaboration between BMW and the Bored Ape Yacht Club at ApeFest 2024 marks a pivotal moment for both brands, showcasing their commitment to creativity, innovation, and the future of Web3 technology.
Key Highlights:
- Event: ApeFest 2024 in Lisbon
- Debut: New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, featuring in-car gaming and unique design elements
- Innovation: Dookey Dash: Unclogged integrated into BMW Operating System 9
- Exclusive Products: Custom BMW Lifestyle collection and limited-edition Mechanics Jacket for BAYC members
- Driving Experience: BMW M Mixed Reality with BAYC-themed content, plus the BMW M2 Ice Racer display
BMW continues to embrace the evolving digital landscape, connecting its iconic brand with new technological frontiers and creative communities.
Source: BMW
This article was crafted with assistance from Chatgpt
