To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the BMW Art Car Collection is embarking on its largest world tour, covering five continents and making stops in major cultural hubs, including Contemporary Istanbul from September 24 to 28.
The BMW Art Car Collection, a unique fusion of art and automotive excellence, marks its 50th anniversary with an unprecedented world tour. Featuring some of the most iconic models from the collection, the tour will visit key destinations such as Germany, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, China, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey.
As part of the Contemporary Istanbul exhibition, art and automobile enthusiasts in Turkey will have the rare opportunity to witness the first and latest additions to the BMW Art Car lineup. On display will be the 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, designed by Alexander Calder, and the newest masterpiece, the BMW M Hybrid V8, created by Julie Mehretu.
Spanning five decades, the BMW Art Car Collection embodies the intersection of fine art and engineering. Dubbed “Rolling Sculptures,” these vehicles reflect a wide range of artistic movements, from minimalism and pop art to abstraction and digital expressionism. Renowned artists such as Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and David Hockney have contributed to this prestigious collection.
BMW Group Board Member for Human Resources and Real Estate, Ilka Horstmeier, emphasized the significance of the collection, stating, “The BMW Art Car Collection is a testament to artistic freedom and visionary design. Over the past 50 years, these 20 models have become international icons, blending society, technology, and performance into compelling stories. Our commitment to art and culture continues to drive innovation in both the automotive and creative industries.”
The 50th-anniversary tour will kick off with exhibitions at the Museum of Applied Arts and Spark Art Fair in Vienna from March 20 to 22. Meanwhile, the most recent addition, the BMW M Hybrid V8, will make its debut at Art Basel in Hong Kong from March 28 to 30.
Classic car festivals and museums will also play a key role in celebrating the collection’s legacy. The 13th BMW Art Car, created by Sandro Chia, will be showcased at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on Lake Como in May. Additionally, the Louwman Museum in The Hague will feature eight Art Cars in a special exhibition throughout July and August.
Looking ahead, BMW Group will collaborate with filmmaker Mehret Mandefro to conduct workshops for young filmmakers and media artists across five African countries in 2025. These works will be curated by Zeitz MOCAA’s Executive Director Koyo Kouoh and exhibited alongside Mehretu’s Art Car at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
In 2025, the BMW Museum will unite two significant anniversaries in a special exhibition. Three Art Cars—designed by Sandro Chia, Michael Jagamara Nelson, and Ken Done—will be displayed alongside the BMW 3 Series, which celebrates its 50th anniversary. This exhibit will be open to the public from June 17 onward.
In addition to the global exhibitions, BMW will release limited-edition lifestyle products to mark the anniversary. The 1:18 scale miniature model of Mehretu’s BMW M Hybrid V8 is now available through BMW Lifestyle Shops, with a 1:43 scale version set for release later in the year. Furthermore, a third edition of the BMW Art Car catalog, published in collaboration with Hatje Cantz, will offer an in-depth look at the collection’s history, featuring interviews and essays connecting each Art Car to its artistic and cultural significance.
From groundbreaking artistic expressions to revolutionary automotive design, the BMW Art Car Collection continues to inspire creativity worldwide. As it embarks on this extraordinary tour, it remains a testament to the powerful synergy between art, culture, and engineering.
