BMW Goldie Horn: when a car becomes a golden idol
It seems to be a car as a car. Only its engine, as well as some other parts, body parts, and assemblies, are covered with an indecent layer of 23-karat gold.
If there were a ranking of the most extravagant cars on the planet, the BMW Goldie Horn would undoubtedly not hold the last place. It is not just a car with a luxurious shine — it is a true art object on wheels, seemingly created to embody the taste and style of the wealthiest people in the Middle East.
The passion of Arab sheikhs for gold is not news. In terms of per capita consumption of this precious metal, the countries of the Persian Gulf consistently rank among the world leaders. And when the love for gold combines with automotive fanaticism, projects like Goldie Horn are born.
Perhaps for the first time, the broad public saw this golden marvel at the Australian Auto Show at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland. And although the platform of the car is from a classic BMW (possibly E30 or E36, the exact base is still debated), it is impossible to stop one's gaze on it: 23-karat gold is literally poured not only on the exterior elements but also under the hood. Yes, even individual parts of the engine and suspension are gilded.
The car owners are brothers Mohamed and Bakr Ibrahim, originally from the Arabian Peninsula, who now reside in Australia. According to them, at the time, the construction of the car cost them about one million US dollars. Given the cost of gold and custom components, the sum is quite plausible.
However, Goldie Horn is not just about aesthetics but also power. Inside, there is not a standard BMW engine, but a specially installed Mazda rotary engine boosted to 2000 horsepower. It is claimed that the car's maximum speed is about 315 km/h, and it accelerates to it in about 7.2 seconds. It sounds controversial, I would say - this engine doesn't go anywhere, because with such power, most hypercars accelerate to a “hundred” in 2–3 seconds. I suppose that we are likely discussing acceleration dynamics from zero to maximum — or these figures are more demonstrative than engineeringly accurate.
By the way, the name Goldie Horn is a reference not only to the color of the car but also to the famous actress Goldie Hawn. It is possible that there is also an element of irony here — if a car is to be given a name, then let it sound as bright as its appearance.
Most likely, this BMW will never be for sale. It is a collector's car — an item created at the intersection of engineering, jewelry art, and pop culture. To see it in person — is a rare fortune.
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