The world tragically lost Alex Zanardi earlier this year. Zanardi was a racing legend, a Paralympian, and one of the world’s most inspiring humans. He was one of BMW’s longtime racing drivers, even after he lost both of his legs in a horrific racing accident. So to honor the man who did so much for the brand, on what would have been his 60th birthday, BMW created a special edition, one-of-one M3.
It’s simply called the BMW M3 “Tribute to Alex Zanardi” and it’s a one-off built created by both BMW and Italian design studio BorromeoDeSilva. The Italian racing driver spent 20 years working with BMW, and always kept a relentless optimism even after losing his legs. That positive outlook is the meaning behind this car’s livery.
BMW
Nothing about this design is out of the ordinary for a special edition BMW. Its white paint is accented by a simple BMW M-colored livery. There are some neat stripes on the hood, some text identifying it as a 60th tribute to him, and a cool sweeping checkered flag design that goes from the front bumper to the rear, growing larger as it gets there. However, the most important part of the design is the most unusual: the pineapple. A pineapple was always Zanardi’s good luck charm, and both BMW and BorromeoDeSilva use it here as a symbol of his spirit.
Inside, the cabin is mostly the same as any other M3, except for the seats. The seat inserts are black with M colors and, most importantly, there are M-colored pineapples on the headrests.
BMW
“Telling what Alex meant to BMW and to all those who had the privilege of sharing a stretch of the road with him,” said Sergio Solero, President and CEO of BMW Italy, “is much more complex. Because his memory continues to be extraordinarily alive.”
“His relationship with BMW,” Solero continued, “has spanned from the slopes to Paralympic successes, all the way to social commitment. Over the years, he has combined his sporting career with a desire to actively contribute to the creation and development of initiatives capable of generating value for the community. His sensitivity and vision have also led to the creation and development of SpecialMente, BMW Italia’s corporate social responsibility program, which brings together and promotes projects aimed at inclusion, education, and support for the most vulnerable.”
