Internationally Renowned Artist Transforms BMW M Hybrid V8 into a Performative Masterpiece
Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car Set to Compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Pan-African Workshops to Strengthen BMW’s Artistic Collaboration Through 2026
Paris/Munich – The 20th BMW Art Car, designed by acclaimed New York-based contemporary artist Julie Mehretu, was unveiled today at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This project transforms the BMW M Hybrid V8 race car into a performative work of art, continuing BMW’s long-standing tradition of blending competitive racing with artistic expression. Following its world premiere, this latest addition to the prestigious BMW Art Car collection will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“The entire BMW Art Car project revolves around innovation, imagination, and pushing the boundaries of possibility. I envision this car not just as an exhibit, but as a competitor at Le Mans—a performative painting,” stated Julie Mehretu. “My BMW Art Car came to life through close collaboration with motorsport and engineering teams. Its journey culminates only after the race.”
The collaboration between BMW and Julie Mehretu extends beyond the racetrack, encompassing a series of Pan-African Translocal Media Workshops for filmmakers, set to tour various African cities in 2025 and 2026. This initiative will culminate in a major exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town.
“BMW Art Cars are integral to our global cultural engagement. For nearly 50 years, we’ve collaborated with artists passionate about mobility, design, technology, and motorsports. Julie Mehretu’s vision for a racing car is a remarkable addition to our Art Car series,” said Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Her work not only enhances our collection but also inspires us to expand our cultural commitment, fostering creativity among young artists in Africa.”
A Performative Painting Takes Shape
Julie Mehretu’s art consistently explores themes of space, movement, and energy. For the 20th BMW Art Car, she transformed a two-dimensional image into a dynamic three-dimensional form, bringing her vibrant style to life. Drawing inspiration from her monumental painting “Everywhen” (2021 – 2023), Mehretu integrated digital photographs, dot grids, neon veils, and her signature black markings to create the car’s abstract visual form.
“In my studio, I envisioned the BMW M Hybrid V8 merging with my painting, creating a remix—a mash-up,” Mehretu explained. “The car seemed to absorb the painting, with its form evolving through the process.”
BMW Art Cars with Le Mans Legacy at Concorso d’Eleganza
This artistic fusion was achieved using 3D mapping, allowing the design to conform to the vehicle’s contours. The fully designed BMW M Hybrid V8 will race at Le Mans, driven by BMW Motorsport drivers Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, and René Rast. The car will debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este in Lake Como, alongside other historic BMW Art Cars.
Inspiring Young Artists: PanAfrican Translocal Media Workshops
Beyond the racetrack, BMW and Julie Mehretu are committed to nurturing emerging artists through the PanAfrican Translocal Media Workshops. Scheduled for 2025, these workshops will visit Dakar, Marrakech, Kigali, Lagos, and Cape Town, providing a collaborative space for artists and filmmakers to innovate and exchange ideas. The outcomes will be showcased alongside the 20th BMW Art Car at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in 2026.
About Julie Mehretu
Julie Mehretu, a globally celebrated American painter born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, moved to the U.S. at the age of seven. Her dynamic practice in painting, drawing, and printmaking engages viewers in a visual exploration of contemporary experiences, social behaviors, and spatial psychogeography. Mehretu holds degrees from Kalamazoo College and the Rhode Island School of Design and has received numerous accolades, including the MacArthur Award and the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts Award.
The BMW M Hybrid V8: A Canvas for Innovation
The BMW M Hybrid V8, the latest in BMW’s line of hybrid electric race cars, boasts a 4.0-liter V8 engine paired with an electric motor, delivering approximately 640 hp. Competing in the Hypercars category of the FIA World Endurance Championship, this car will challenge top competitors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Legacy of BMW Art Cars
Since 1975, the BMW Art Car program has featured contributions from world-renowned artists, each bringing their unique style to BMW vehicles. This tradition began with Alexander Calder’s BMW 3.0 CSL and continues today with Mehretu’s groundbreaking design, enriching the collection and inspiring future generations.
Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car not only races towards victory at Le Mans but also drives the intersection of art and automotive innovation, embodying the spirit of creativity and collaboration that defines BMW’s Art Car legacy.
