Lamborghini is creating its second non-fungible token (NFT) after January's release of "Space Time Memory." This new collectible piece of art will be auctioned off with the last Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Coupe. That vehicle will be the last pure V12 in company history as it moves to electrification starting in 2023.
NFTs have taken off as of late as a new way to share unique art and other digital files. Last month Acura did the same thing, selling NFTs with reservations for the new Integra.
The visuals will be produced by Toronto-based artist Krista Kim, while music producer, fashion designer and entrepreneur Steve Aoki will write the audio track. The car and NFT will be auctioned by RM Sotheby's on April 19. Surprisingly, this isn't the first time RM has done this.
In January it sold a supercar called the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, accompanied by an NFT including musical tracks. It sold for $1.36 million, though RM representatives couldn't say how much the NFT had to do with the price.
"The requests for NFT's began early summer 2021 and have only increased since. We have seen requests for just NFTs and NFTs with physical assets. Whether or not the desire will fizzle out is hard to predict," RM Sotheby's director of PR Ethan Gibson told Newsweek. "However, we have seen on many market levels over several years the increased desire for electronic forms of not only art, but of provenance and other documentation. I do not see the NFT market slowing down nor expect it to."
The visual part of the artwork will feature Kim's "Mars House," a 3D project created in 2020 using video game software, along with "her signature gradient work," which will also appear on the virtual Lamborghini.
"The buyer will own the digital replica (GLB file) of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae Coupé," the brand told Newsweek. "The GLB file will allow the buyer to 'skin' the exterior and the interior of the car in the metaverse platform of their choice. If the platform mechanics allows for driving, then the buyer can drive the car in the metaverse via VR."
"This Aventador is a legend. When higher states of consciousness meet leading-edge technology and design, we see elevated beauty on another level," said Kim in a release. "In my Lamborghini NFT dream, I envision meditating in front of a sublime Mars sunset with Steve, as he transforms the engine sound into a meditative vibe. I couldn't be more excited to bring this vision to life in the physical car and NFT."
Aoki is creating the track for the NFT and will also consult on the design with Kim.
"The drop signifies the ultimate intersection - where the physical world, digital art, and music come together as one," said Aoki in a release. "Every design element of this car is purposeful. It truly has its own story, and therefore I wanted my music track to reflect its soulful energy – the vibe, the spirit, and the power."
The final Lamborghini Aventador comes with a naturally aspirated V12 engine making 769 horsepower (780 cheval vapeur, a French measure for horsepower, hence LP 780-4 name) and 531 pound-feet of torque sent to all four wheels through a seven-speed transmission that can be operated manually or automatically.
The 2022 Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae LP 780-4 has a base price of $498,258. Because the Ultimae is last of the series, and houses last of the pure V12 line for the company, it already commands a premium. That it will be the literal last one ever produced makes it more valuable. With the NFT included, the sky is the limit.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jake Lingeman is the Managing Editor for the Autos team at Newsweek. He has previously worked for Autoweek, The Detroit ... Read more
