Prepare for an exhilarating fusion of art, innovation, and speed as BMW unveils the 20th BMW Art Car at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025. Designed by the acclaimed artist Julie Mehretu, this masterpiece marks a monumental milestone in the BMW Art Car World Tour, celebrating 50 years of iconic “rolling sculptures” that have seamlessly united the worlds of art and automotive design.
This groundbreaking BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car follows its global debut in 2024 and has already left audiences in awe with its bold, dynamic aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from Mehretu’s stunning large-scale painting “Everywhen” (2021–2023), the design weaves together digitally altered photographs, vibrant neon hues, and Mehretu’s signature black gestural strokes. Through cutting-edge 3D mapping technology, the car transcends the boundaries of art and engineering, capturing the essence of movement, space, and time. After making an unforgettable appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car continues to make waves on both the racetrack and the art world stage.
Julie Mehretu herself reflects on the experience: “Working on the BMW Art Car has allowed me to explore new dimensions of movement, space, and time. This car is not just an artwork; I call it a performative painting that reaches its full expression on the racetrack.”
At Art Basel Hong Kong, the 20th Art Car will be showcased alongside an extraordinary collection of miniature BMW Art Cars spanning five decades. Iconic designs by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Jenny Holzer, and Jeff Koons will also be on display, highlighting the rich legacy of BMW’s ongoing commitment to the intersection of art, design, and performance.
As BMW’s long-time partner of Art Basel, the brand’s presence continues to elevate the fair’s VIP car service, emphasizing its dedication to cultural innovation and creative excellence.
The BMW Art Car World Tour: A Journey Across Continents
The BMW Art Car World Tour is an international celebration that spans 2025 and 2026, bringing the 20th Art Car to art lovers and automotive enthusiasts around the globe. The tour will make stops at major cultural events, including Taipei Dangdai, Market Art Fair, and Concorso d’Eleganza, along with appearances at iconic automotive museums and classic car festivals.
Raymond Tan, Managing Director of BMW Hong Kong Services Limited, expresses: “The 20th BMW Art Car perfectly encapsulates the powerful symbiosis of art, technology, and design. Over the past five decades, the BMW Art Car Collection has inspired creativity, innovation, and dialogue, connecting with a broader global audience of both art and car enthusiasts.”
A New Creative Horizon: The African Film and Media Arts Collective
In an exciting new development, Julie Mehretu and producer Mehret Mandefro are launching the African Film and Media Arts Collective in 2025. The initiative, which will host workshops across cities like Dakar, Lagos, and Cape Town, seeks to nurture the creativity of young African filmmakers and artists. The result of these collaborations will be showcased alongside the 20th BMW Art Car at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town in 2026, further amplifying BMW’s commitment to global cultural exchange.
A Legacy of Artistic Innovation
Since 1975, the BMW Art Car Collection has featured some of the most celebrated artists in the world, including Frank Stella, David Hockney, Ólafur Elíasson, and Cao Fei. The collection began when Hervé Poulain, a French racing driver and art lover, commissioned Alexander Calder to design a car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This collaboration gave birth to the BMW Art Car Collection, now recognized as a landmark initiative that merges art, performance, and design.
Today, BMW Art Cars are not only housed in the BMW Museum in Munich but also travel the globe, captivating audiences in international exhibitions.
Don’t Miss the 20th BMW Art Car at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025!
Join us for this groundbreaking showcase from March 28–30, 2025 at the BMW Lounge, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Level 3 Concourse (Near Entrance 3D), and be part of an unforgettable celebration of art, speed, and innovation.