Designing BMW Australia’s Official Bathurst 12 Hour Safety Car

BMW Australia commissioned Samantha Rogers, Creative Director of Drive Creative, to design the livery for the official Safety Cars and Track Cars at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Working closely with the BMW Australia team and immersing herself in the design language of the all-new BMW XM, Samantha developed a concept that reflected both the vehicle’s bold luxury and high-performance capability. Rather than creating a traditional race car graphic, her vision was to produce a livery that felt as though it belonged on the vehicle from the factory.

One of the XM’s defining characteristics is its striking use of gold accents throughout the exterior. To celebrate this feature, Samantha selected a premium metallic gold vinyl that closely matched the factory trim. The team then printed directly onto the metallic film and finished it with a matte laminate to complement the XM’s commanding presence. The design transitions from vibrant gold into deep black, while the gradient is echoed through the window graphics to create a seamless, almost OEM appearance. Subtle gloss XM branding and carefully considered textures complete the design without overwhelming the vehicle’s sculptural form.

The finished fleet delivered a bold yet sophisticated presence around Mount Panorama, demonstrating how thoughtful design can elevate a vehicle’s identity while remaining unmistakably BMW.