As a world premiere, BMW unveiled its new Art Car this week for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. BMW's Art Cars tradition, which has existed for nearly 50 years, continues to marry art and automobiles with unparalleled mastery. For this 20th anniversary edition, the Munich manufacturer collaborated with the internationally renowned New York artist Julie Mehretu. She transformed the BMW M Hybrid V8 into a true “performative painting” inspired by her monumental work “Everywhen”.

Mehretu's art, known for his dynamic pictorial motifs and abstract compositions, has been masterfully translated onto the car body. The design of this Art Car combines digitally altered photographs, dot screens, neon-colored sails and black markings, creating a three-dimensional representation that captures dynamism and movement.

The official presentation of this rolling work of art took place at the Center Pompidou in Paris this week, a highly symbolic place, a true temple of contemporary art in France. This masterpiece, however, is not a museum work intended to remain quietly in a showroom; it will take the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15 and 16, 2024, with the number 20. The drivers Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns and René Rast will have the honor of driving this unique car, marking the first time that an Art Car created by a female artist will compete since that of Jenny Holzer in 1999.

The BMW Art Cars represent a legendary alliance between iconic vehicles like the BMW M1 and world-renowned artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons. Julie Mehretu, as the twentieth artist to participate in this project, joins a prestigious list that includes Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol and David Hockney. Since the first BMW Art Car in 1975, these collaborations have consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive art and design.

In parallel with this artistic adventure, Julie Mehretu and BMW will launch in 2025 a series of projects to promote young cultural talents in Africa, entitled “The Translocal Media Workshop Series 2025”. The results of these workshops will be presented alongside the BMW M Hybrid V8 during an Art Car World Tour, with a first exhibition planned at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art in Cape Town.

A look back at the most beautiful Art Cars in history

The tradition of BMW Art Cars, initiated almost 50 years ago, continues to captivate the world of art and automobiles. Each car is a unique canvas, transformed by internationally renowned artists. With the 20th Art Car, created by Julie Mehretu for the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, a new page in this prestigious history is being written. Here's a look at the artists who preceded Mehretu, each of whom brought their distinctive vision and style to this exceptional collection.

Alexander Calder / BMW 3.0 CSL / 1975
Alexander Calder, renowned American sculptor, inaugurated the tradition of BMW Art Cars in 1975. His multi-colored and dynamic BMW 3.0 CSL was a bold precursor. It was Hervé Poulain, pilot and art collector, who had the idea for this unique collaboration. The car, although not having finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, left its mark with its vibrant design and its ability to fuse art and motorsport.

Frank Stella / BMW 3.0 CSL / 1976
Frank Stella, an American artist known for his geometric works, was the second to take up the challenge. His BMW 3.0 CSL is distinguished by a complex pattern of lines and shapes, evoking engineering plans and mechanical structures. Stella's approach was to reveal the hidden dimensions of the car, transforming it into a kind of rolling diagram.

Roy Lichtenstein / BMW 320i Turbo / 1977
Roy Lichtenstein, a major figure in Pop Art, brought his distinctive style to the BMW 320i Turbo. Using his famous Benday stitches and comic book motifs, he created work that gives the impression of movement even when standing still. Lichtenstein incorporated narrative elements, transforming the car into a dynamic landscape scene.

Andy Warhol / BMW M1 / 1979
Pop Art legend Andy Warhol painted his BMW M1 with sweeping strokes and bright colors to capture speed. Unlike his predecessors, Warhol personally applied the paint, creating a work in just 28 minutes. Its M1 has become an icon, symbolizing both performance art and power.

David Hockney / BMW 850 CSi / 1995
David Hockney, British artist, deconstructed the BMW 850 CSi to reveal its internal components through its exterior design. By depicting the interior of the car on its surface, Hockney created a work that plays with perception and illusion.

Ólafur Elíasson / BMW H2R / 2007
Ólafur Elíasson, a Danish-Icelandic artist, wrapped the BMW H2R in a shell of ice, exploring themes of nature and sustainability. His creation was both a sculpture and a performance, highlighting contemporary environmental issues.

Jeff Koons / BMW M3 GT2 / 2010
Jeff Koons, American artist famous for his Pop Art style, has created a BMW M3 GT2 with vibrant and dynamic colors. Its vibrant design, with elements appearing to fly at high speed, expresses the power and energy of the car.