BMW Warhol and Mehretu Art Cars Make U.S. Debut Together at Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog.
BMW is pulling out all the stops for the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, using the event to showcase two of its most iconic Art Cars side-by-side in North America for the first time: Andy Warhol’s 1979 BMW M1 Group 4 and Julie Mehretu’s 2024 BMW M Hybrid V8.
It’s part of a 50-year celebration of the BMW Art Car programme, and it also reflects the brand’s ongoing push toward personalization — the same ethos driving its decision to spend nearly $35 million on a new shop for bespoke paintwork.
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Warhol’s Paint-Splattered Le Mans Legend
In 1979, Andy Warhol transformed a BMW M1 into a pop-art masterpiece in just 28 minutes, painting directly on the bodywork with big, gestural strokes designed to “portray speed pictorially.” The car went on to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, blending artistic chaos with Bavarian engineering discipline.
It remains one of the most famous Art Cars ever — the kind of brand heritage piece that BMW M is fiercely protecting, much like its pledge to keep straight-sixes and V8s alive despite Euro 7 rules.
View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article
Mehretu’s Abstract Energy on a Hybrid Racer
Julie Mehretu’s 2024 M Hybrid V8 marks the 20th entry in BMW’s storied Art Car series, a tradition that blends world-class motorsport with contemporary art. This time, BMW’s cutting-edge endurance racer is wrapped in a digitalised, 3D-mapped interpretation of Mehretu’s sweeping, large-scale painting Everywhen — a work known for its explosive layers of color, movement, and energy.
The result is a car that looks like it’s in motion even when standing still — a fitting metaphor for the hybrid V8’s Le Mans performance earlier this year. Displaying it alongside the M1 bridges BMW’s racing past and its electrified future, a strategy echoed by the brand’s willingness to enter new niches like developing a G-Class rival to replace the XM.
Why Monterey Matters for BMW’s Brand Story
Pebble Beach is a gathering of high-net-worth enthusiasts who can turn a limited-run model into an instant sell-out with a few nods and handshakes. It’s a place where rarity and craftsmanship are expected. By placing Warhol’s raw, hand-painted M1 alongside Mehretu’s sleek, digitally-driven abstraction, BMW isn’t just showing off two striking works — it’s making a statement that art, performance, and exclusivity are the cornerstones of its brand DNA, no matter the era or medium.
It’s also sending a quiet but confident message: whether it’s the texture of hand-applied paint, the roar of a petrol V8, or the cutting-edge precision of a hybrid Le Mans racer, BMW has always known how to make individuality and engineering prestige work in perfect harmony. And at Pebble Beach, that combination is a form of currency.
BMW Warhol and Mehretu Art Cars Make U.S. Debut Together at Monterey first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 15, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Comments