I still remember the first time I saw the photos—an ultra-modern BMW i8 wrapped to look like it had been dug out of an abandoned warehouse. At first glance, I thought it was a joke. How could anyone take a sleek hybrid sports car and make it resemble a rusted relic from another era? But then I found out the mastermind behind it was MetroWrapz, and the owner of the car was none other than pop star Austin Mahone. Suddenly, it all made sense.
Austin has always had a playful, experimental side, and his car collection reflects that. But this particular project felt different—almost like a statement. The BMW i8 is known for its futuristic design, smooth carbon-fiber curves, and glossy finishes. So transforming it into the exact opposite—gritty, weathered, and rugged—wasn’t just a wrap. It was a rebellion against the predictable.
When I read more about how the wrap was created, the story became even more fascinating. MetroWrapz didn’t just slap on a rusty texture; they engineered it like an art piece. They studied real rust, layering shades of orange, brown, and metallic textures until the surface looked shockingly authentic. The car even had the illusion of scratched metal, oxidized panels, and worn edges—details you’d expect from an old industrial machine, not from a six-figure sports hybrid.
I imagine the moment Austin first saw his i8 after the transformation. He must have laughed, maybe even walked around it twice just to process what he was looking at. It’s the kind of wrap that makes people take a double-take on the street. Some love it. Some don’t know what to think. And that’s exactly what makes it so interesting.
The wrap sparked conversations everywhere—car forums, YouTube channels, social media pages. Car enthusiasts debated it with passion. “Why would he ruin such a beautiful car?” some said. Others praised it as one of the most creative wraps ever done on a celebrity vehicle. But whether people agreed or not, they were talking about it. That alone proves that the design worked.
What I personally love about this story is how it highlights the limitless world of vehicle customization. A car doesn't have to look expensive to be valuable. Sometimes it just needs to reflect personality. Austin Mahone took a risk, and MetroWrapz executed it with perfection—turning a high-tech machine into something that looked like it belonged in a post-apocalyptic movie scene.
By the time I finished reading about this project, I found myself appreciating the artistry behind it. Beneath the humor and shock value, there’s a message about creativity—about not being afraid to express yourself in unexpected ways. And whether or not you’d ever wrap your own car to look like corroded metal, you can’t deny that Austin Mahone’s rusted BMW i8 remains one of the most unforgettable celebrity car transformations to date.
