Lexus reached out to British tattoo artist Claudia De Sabe to commission the world’s first tattooed car: the 2020 UX.

Using the vehicle as a blank canvas and a Dremel drill tool instead of the usual tattooing needle, the artist drew a koi carp, which represents good fortune and perseverance in the Japanese culture.

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Before applying the motif, Claudia drilled away the white surface paint to expose the metal underneath and then used 5 liters (1.3 gallons) of paint to bring out the details by hand. Subsequently, she used gold leaf to further highlight the design and create a strong 3D effect, before the crossover was given a protective lacquer. The unique UX is not for sale, but the work alone is estimated to cost in excess of £120,000 ($145,747).

“When you tattoo a person, you have to think about the muscles and tissue beneath the skin”, said Claudia. “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”, she added.

Presented two years ago, the UX is a small luxury crossover that allows Lexus to bring the fight to the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3, BMW X1 and X2 and others. In the UK, it has a starting price of £29,905 ($36,322), while in the U.S. you will have to pay a minimum of $32,300 for the regular model and $34,350 for the UX Hybrid.

 

It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car
It Cost Over $145,000 To Create The World’s First Tattooed Car