Budapest served as the backdrop for BMW Group’s unveiling of its all-electric iX3 and a unique intersection of automotive engineering and fine art this week. The exclusive event, themed “The Future Speaks,” marked the Hungarian debut of the iX3 and showcased the first vehicle from BMW’s renowned Art Cars collection-a 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder-for the first time in the country. BMW’s presentation combined the premiere with an immersive performance by the local group Recirquel, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to both innovation and cultural experiences.
Budapest recently hosted an exclusive event showcasing BMW Group’s vision for the future of mobility, alongside a striking intersection with contemporary art. The company unveiled its all-electric BMW iX3 to the Hungarian market, alongside the debut of the first vehicle in the BMW Art Cars collection – a testament to the brand’s long-standing commitment to culture and innovation. The launch underscores BMW’s push into the electric vehicle market, a sector experiencing rapid growth globally.
The event, themed “The Future Speaks,” featured the original 1975 BMW Art Car, designed by Alexander Calder, marking its first appearance in Hungary. Also on display was a classic model from the Neue Klasse series, the BMW 1800 TI Limousine, representing a pivotal moment in the brand’s history.
Adding to the immersive experience, the performance group Recirquel presented excerpts from “Walk My World,” billed as Europe’s largest immersive show. Attendees were invited to experience the performance from within the set, observing artists and dancers in a Hollywood-style environment.
“We designed a truly complex event, engaging all the senses, for the Hungarian premiere of our latest BMW,” said Zoltán Gombos, Managing Director of BMW Group Hungary. “It brings together an iconic piece from our glorious past – the first Neue Klasse model – and the future of the company in the form of the iX3, all within an exclusive artistic concept. Nothing better symbolizes BMW Group’s commitment to culture than the first Art Car, Alexander Calder’s masterpiece. We didn’t just celebrate the premiere of a new model in Budapest; we delivered a powerful and passionate brand experience to our customers and partners.”
The BMW Art Cars Collection
The BMW Art Cars collection originated in 1975 when French race car driver Hervé Poulain commissioned American sculptor Alexander Calder to create a design for his BMW 3.0 CSL. The car’s debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans immediately established it as an icon, initiating a series of collaborations between artists and engineers. The collection has since grown to include twenty vehicles, featuring contributions from artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Robert Rauschenberg, Esther Mahlangu, Olafur Eliasson, John Baldessari, Cao Fei, and Julie Mehretu.
The twenty rolling works of art embody BMW Group’s global commitment to culture, supporting over one hundred cultural initiatives worldwide, spanning contemporary art, film, classical music, opera, and design. The BMW Art Cars collection also reflects half a century of art history, showcasing movements from minimalism and pop art to magical realism, abstraction, conceptual art, and digital art.
To commemorate the anniversary, the BMW Art Cars are currently on a world tour, beginning in Vienna this spring with works by Lichtenstein, Warhol, Rauschenberg, Hockney, and Koons. The tour, scheduled to continue through the end of 2026, will span five continents and integrate with cultural events, highlighting the synergy between art, technology, and intellectual freedom within the brand’s values.
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