Lexus has unveiled what it calls the world’s first tattooed car. It is the UX compact SUV which gets a one-of-a-kind interpretation which has been designed and created by London tattoo artist Claudia De Sabe.
Related: The All New 2019 Lexus UX Launched
Taking a pure white Lexus UX as the base car, Claudia used a dremel tool (instead of a needle) to literally drill away the surface paint, exposing the bare metal underneath. Claudia produced a sweeping design featuring koi carp along the entire length of the vehicle. The koi is a motif familiar from traditional Japanese art, representing qualities of good fortune and perseverance.
Creating the tattoo required 5 liters of high-quality car paint. Once drilled, the entire car was painted by hand. As a finishing touch, a gold leaf was used to create highlights, creating a three-dimensional pop effect. Once the tattoo design was done, another layer of lacquer clear coat was sprayed over for protection.
Related: Lexus Recreates the Timeless ‘Champagne Glass’ Commercial for the New LS-500
The tattooed Lexus UX took 6 months from initial drawings to reaching final finished form, requiring 5 days a week work, 8-hours each day. The finished product doesn’t carry a price tag, however the customized work alone costs around £120,000 (approx PKR 2 crore) which doesn’t include the cost of the car!
The artist behind the fascinating job Claudia De Sabe, who was assisted in her work by her Japanese-born husband Yutaro said:
“When you tattoo a person, you have to think about the muscles and tissue beneath the skin. With the car it was about the way the bodywork changes shape over the framework. The best thing about tattooing the Lexus UX, and the reason why this car was ideal for the project, is its streamlined shape. Everything from the lines on the side of the body to the shape of the windows, everything is just so dynamic and beautiful. It was a perfect fit for the design and the concept itself.”
According to Lexus, the project stands as a tribute to the takumi craftsmanship that is applied to every one of its car, evident in “design details and finishes” that were achieved with human skills.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
