THE INFAMOUS BMW ART CAR COLLECTION EMBARKS ON A WORLD TOUR VISITING 5 CONTINENTS
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of its iconic Art Car Collection, BMW is sending some of the world’s most famous automotive canvases on a global journey. The BMW Art Car World Tour will span five continents, featuring an array of artistic masterpieces on wheels, and kicks off in Europe and Asia. The official launch took place at the “(R)EVOLUTION OF ART” event in Vienna, with five legendary Art Cars on display at the Museum of Applied Arts and the SPARK Art Fair from March 20-23. These include works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons. Meanwhile, the latest addition to the collection - the 20th BMW Art Car, a BMW M Hybrid V8 designed by renowned American painter Julie Mehretu - will begin its tour in Asia, starting with Art Basel in Hong Kong from March 28-30. Dr. Josef Reiter, Managing Director of BMW Group Niederlassung Wien, emphasized the deep connection between art and automotive design: “The (R)EVOLUTION OF ART event is part of our commitment to providing creative impulses and fostering dialogue between artists, their work, and audiences. Just like our vehicles, art evokes emotion and inspiration.” While BMW’s Art Car project has featured some of the most celebrated names in contemporary art, one of its most significant collaborations came from South Africa’s own Esther Mahlangu. In 1991, Mahlangu became the first woman and the first African artist to contribute to the BMW Art Car series. Drawing from her Ndebele heritage, she transformed a BMW 525i into a vibrant expression of African culture, using bold geometric patterns and vivid colours. Mahlangu’s contribution was so well-received that she was invited back in 2016 to reimagine a BMW 7 Series, further cementing her legacy within the Art Car lineage. Her work not only showcased the intersection of traditional Ndebele art with modern automotive design but also highlighted BMW’s global appreciation for diverse artistic perspectives. Though details of whether Mahlangu’s Art Cars will feature in the world tour remain unclear, her influence remains a pivotal part of BMW’s artistic journey.
As part of the Vienna event, BMW also showcased its future-oriented design philosophy with the Neue Klasse Vision vehicles. This concept embodies the next chapter of BMW innovation, merging advanced electric mobility, digital integration, and a forward-thinking design language. The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, set to influence the upcoming BMW iX3, was unveiled alongside its sedan counterpart, offering a glimpse into the next generation of the Bavarian brand’s aesthetic and technological evolution. The BMW Art Car Collection began in 1975 when American sculptor Alexander Calder transformed a BMW 3.0 CSL into a racing masterpiece for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What started as a one-off collaboration - spearheaded by French auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain - quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Despite retiring after just seven hours of racing, Calder’s colourful CSL captivated audiences, inspiring BMW to continue the project. Since then, artists including Frank Stella, Jenny Holzer, Olafur Eliasson, and John Baldessari have left their mark on BMW’s rolling gallery. For nearly five decades, BMW has integrated cultural engagement into its global brand identity. Beyond the Art Car program, the automaker supports over 100 cultural initiatives worldwide, spanning contemporary art, music, film, and design. From partnerships with museums like the Albertina Art Museum in Austria to collaborations with major art fairs and music festivals, BMW remains dedicated to fostering creative expression alongside automotive innovation. As the BMW Art Car World Tour unfolds across continents, it continues to celebrate the fusion of engineering and artistic vision. Whether through Warhol’s explosive brush strokes, Koons’ bold pop art, or Mahlangu’s traditional Ndebele patterns, these cars remind us that true design is about more than aesthetics - it’s about storytelling, heritage, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Take a look at the YouTube video that gives you a bit more information on the world-famous BMW Art Car collection. We're fans of these, especially since there's an awesome South African connection to some of these cars thanks to Ma Esther: The Colorful History of the BMW Art Car | Capital One Auto Navigator
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