The BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car Launched Prior To Le Mans Race

Almost 50 years have passed since Alexander Calder crafted the original BMW Art Car, a 1975 3.0 CSL. Today, at Centre Pompidou in Paris, the 20th distinct creation was presented in the capital of France. Devised by New York-based Julie Mehretu, the vibrant piece is based on the M Hybrid V8 endurance racing vehicle.

The Ethiopian American contemporary artist drew inspiration from Frank Stella’s 1976 3.0 CSL and Jenny Holzer’s 1999 V12 LMR. These three BMW Art Cars will be showcased at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. These will be accompanied by Alexander Calder’s 1975 3.0 CSL, Roy Lichtenstein’s 1977 320i Turbo, Andy Warhol’s 1979 M1, and Jeff Koons’ 2010 M3 GT2. What is the common link between these cars? All of them marked their racing debuts at Le Mans.

Participation at Le Mans

The flagship model from BMW M Motorsport will line up at Circuit de la Sarthe on June 15. The M Hybrid V8 will seek to replicate the triumph of its forerunner from 25 years ago. To recall, the V12 LMR emerged victorious at the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, and René Rast will rotate behind the steering wheel.

As per the FIA’s regulations, the #20 BMW Art Car is not actually painted in this manner. Instead, it sports a specific wrapping custom-fitted to the body. The team responsible for the project employed 3D mapping to match the dimensions of the foil to the exact contours of the race car’s body panels. The final outcome is identified as a “performative work of art” developed with assistance from BMW’s engineering and motorsport divisions.

Regarding the development process of the design, Julie Mehretu elucidates her creation: “The concept was to create a remix, a blend of the painting. I continuously envisioned that painting melding into the vehicle. Even the car’s grilles absorbed the painting.” The painting she is referring to is “Everywhen,” which acted as the foundation for the distinctive appearance of the M Hybrid V8.

Julie Mehretu earned the opportunity to design the latest BMW Art Car in 2018 when she was unanimously chosen by esteemed jurors from the art realm. The 640-horsepower endurance racer follows an initiative embarked upon by French racing driver and art enthusiast Hervé Poulain in the 1970s. The endurance racer continues the legacy left by John Baldessari’s M6 GTLM from 2016.

Source: BMW