{"id":518291,"date":"2010-04-06T11:55:41","date_gmt":"2010-04-06T15:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.caranddriver.com\/?p=18305"},"modified":"2010-04-06T11:55:41","modified_gmt":"2010-04-06T15:55:41","slug":"bmw%e2%80%99s-next-art-car-is-an-m3-gt2-that-will-race-in-the-24-hours-of-le-mans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/518291","title":{"rendered":"BMW\u2019s Next Art Car is an M3 GT2 That Will Race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Continuing with a long-standing tradition, BMW today released further details of its latest Art Car. Designed by American artist Jeff Koons, this BMW M3 GT2 will follow in the footsteps of past Art Cars and go racing. This one will compete in the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 12\u201313.<\/p>\n

Although BMW has only released this teaser of Koons\u2019s planned design\u2014the full reveal will take place on June 1 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris\u2014we do have a few details about what will lie under his canvas. This M3 GT2 race car has a specially developed version of the M3’s 4.0-liter V-8 engine that allows production of up to 500 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, depending on the air restrictor size. It\u2019s connected to a six-speed sequential transaxle for better weight distribution. And to further reduce the weight compared to a stock M3, this wide-track GT2 car is fitted with a body that makes extensive use of carbon fiber, helping to bring it down to just 2535 pounds. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is said to be achieved in only 3.4 seconds.<\/p>\n

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The M3 GT2 marks the 17th Art Car presented by BMW since the tradition began in 1975 with a 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder. Koons\u2019s new design is said to be the culmination of collected images of race cars and graphics, vibrant colors and speed. He then layered them into a digital collage and the result is Koons’s interpretation of power, motion, and light.<\/p>\n

While we already appreciate the art and beauty in the production M3, we\u2019re anxious to see what Mr. Koons\u2019s final piece looks like when it\u2019s rolled out. Until then, check out the gallery of past Art Cars below.<\/p>\n