BMW has chosen the BMW M Hybrid V8 race car as its 20th art car, which will participate in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans. The renowned artist Julie Mehretu has been selected to design the car, and BMW announced this exciting news at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. As a preview of the project, an M Hybrid V8 with a stunning carbon-fiber bodywork was showcased during the announcement.
Julie Mehretu, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1970 and based in New York City since 1999, will have complete creative freedom to craft the next BMW art car. BMW has a rich tradition of commissioning famous artists to create these exceptional vehicles since 1975. The list of artists includes notable names like Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons, making it akin to an art history course syllabus. The tradition began when French racing driver Hervé Poulain and BMW Motorsport boss Jochen Neerpasch enlisted Calder to paint the livery for Poulain’s 3.0 CSL, which was set to race in the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The BMW M Hybrid V8 art car will not only be an artistic masterpiece but will also take part in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of BMW’s entry in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This marks BMW’s return to the top prototype class of the prestigious French endurance race since 1999 when their V12 LMR secured the automaker’s first and only overall victory.
The M Hybrid V8 race car was built in accordance with the Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) regulations of the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. However, due to rule overlaps, it will also be eligible to compete in the Hypercar class of the WEC. BMW is currently participating in the IMSA series with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, running two cars, but it is yet to confirm whether the art car will make an appearance in the United States.
Overall, the BMW M Hybrid V8 art car represents the fusion of automotive engineering and artistic expression, embodying BMW’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating captivating works of art on wheels.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about BMW art car
What is the BMW M Hybrid V8 art car?
The BMW M Hybrid V8 art car is the 20th art car created by BMW in collaboration with renowned artists. It is a race car designed by Julie Mehretu and will participate in the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Who is the artist behind the BMW M Hybrid V8 art car?
The artist behind the BMW M Hybrid V8 art car is Julie Mehretu. She was chosen by BMW to have complete creative freedom in designing the car, showcasing her artistic talent and vision.
What is the significance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in relation to the art car?
The BMW M Hybrid V8 art car will race at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of BMW’s return to the French endurance race. The event serves as a platform to showcase the fusion of art and automotive engineering in the form of the art car.
Can you provide more information about BMW’s art cars?
BMW has a longstanding tradition of commissioning famous artists to create art cars since 1975. The art cars have featured the works of prominent artists like Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons. Each art car is a unique artistic expression applied to a BMW vehicle.
Will the BMW M Hybrid V8 art car be showcased outside of the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
While the BMW M Hybrid V8 art car is confirmed to race at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW has not yet confirmed if it will make appearances in other locations or events. Further announcements from BMW will provide more information on the car’s potential exhibitions.
More about BMW art car
- BMW Art Cars
- Julie Mehretu Official Website
- 24 Hours of Le Mans Official Website
- FIA World Endurance Championship Official Website
3 comments
omg dis is sooo coool! bmw m hybrid v8 art car designed by julie mehretu gonna race in 2024 le mans! cant wait 2 c it in action!
wow, bmw back in le mans! da m hybrid v8 gonna roar on da track. art + racing = awesomeness. can’t wait 4 da race!
julie mehretu is such an amazin artist! i luv how bmw lets artists go wild on their cars. 24 hours of le mans gonna b lit with the m hybrid v8 art car!