The BMW Art Car Collection marks its 50th anniversary with an exciting World Tour that celebrates creativity across five continents, commencing in Europe and Asia. The official launch of this global journey took place during the “(R) EVOLUTION OF ART” event hosted at the BMW Group Niederlassung Wien. In Vienna, audiences will have the opportunity to admire five iconic BMW Art Cars from March 20-23 at the Museum of Applied Arts and the SPARK Art Fair, featuring works by renowned artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons. The latest addition to the collection, the BMW M Hybrid V8 designed by acclaimed American artist Julie Mehretu, will make its debut in Asia, showcasing at Art Basel in Hong Kong from March 28-30.
The Origins of the BMW Art Car Collection
The inaugural entry into the BMW Art Car Collection took place on June 14, 1975, when the BMW 3.0 CSL, crafted by American sculptor Alexander Calder, competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Initially envisioned as a one-off collaboration between the artist and BMW, the vibrant racing car captured the audience’s admiration, prompting BMW to continue this initiative. This adventure began with the shared enthusiasm for art and motorsport by French auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain, who found a visionary partner in Jochen Neerpasch, founder of BMW Motorsport, to fulfill his dream of entering an artist-designed BMW in the legendary race. Despite its early retirement after seven hours, the first BMW Art Car won the hearts of fans, leading to the establishment of a remarkable collection.
Exploring the Future with Neue Klasse Vision Vehicles
During the event, attendees also enjoyed a preview of the Neue Klasse vision vehicles, as the BMW Group seeks to make future mobility a reality starting this year. Key elements such as vehicle dynamics, drive technology, battery innovation, operational systems, and digitization have all been substantially advanced, often progressing beyond generational expectations.
The BMW Vision Neue Klasse offers a tantalizing look at the next phase of vehicles from the BMW brand. This vision vehicle introduces a new design philosophy, characterized by clear, elegant, and timeless aesthetics, which will influence many upcoming models. The newly conceived all-electric vehicle architecture allows for creative interior layouts.
In the BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, the essence of aesthetics, tech, and philosophy from the Neue Klasse is applied to the sports activity vehicle segment. This prototype provides a sneak peek of the forthcoming BMW iX3, set to enter production at the plant in Debrecen, Hungary, in 2025.
“We take great pride in launching the BMW Art Car World Tour in Vienna,” remarks the Managing Director of BMW Group Niederlassung Wien. “As a representative of the BMW Group in Austria, we are committed to nurturing art and culture. The (R) EVOLUTION OF ART event embodies our dedication to sparking inspiration and facilitating conversations between artists, their creations, and the public. We recognize that innovation and creativity are inherently intertwined—similar to the progression of our vehicles. Art stirs emotions, just like a BMW. The excitement evoked by a vehicle parallels the experience of engaging with a captivating piece of art. Our designers and engineers aim to cultivate not only functionality but also an emotional connection through distinct designs, unforgettable driving experiences, and the harmony of technology with aesthetics,” the Managing Director explains.
Source: techdriveplay.com