Germany might be the birthplace of the combustion engine and the cradle of history's most legendary vehicles, yet when it comes to automotive gatherings, the nation has largely relied on established and rather predictable formats. A few of these concepts feel somewhat antiquated, explaining why younger aficionados often keep their distance. It required a group of Polish enthusiasts to launch a massive festival on their western neighbor’s soil, bringing a much-needed fresh wind into the local scene.
Initiated in 2011 under a different name in a Wrocław parking lot, Ultrace required only a few years to establish itself as one of Europe’s premier tuning and custom spectacles. The event got bigger and bigger with every edition, with last year’s drawing 35,000 visitors. Given this immense appeal, it was a logical step for Adrian Kapica and his crew to expand into the homeland of the automobile. The inaugural German chapter, hosted at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf on April 25th and 26th, exceeded even the highest expectations – which were already significant considering the standard ticket price of 85 Euros.
A bold leap onto new ground
Traditionalists and vintage enthusiasts might scoff at stanced VW Golfs or slammed BMW M4s, but this debut on German soil served as a testament to the maturity the series has reached. The halls and courtyards of the historic industrial site were not filled with cookie-cutter machines or simple foil wraps. Instead, even the base cars of the displayed creations were anything but ordinary. While a bagged Ferrari 308 GTB on oversized golden rims or an extremely low early Lotus Esprit Turbo might raise a few eyebrows among the classic car crowd, even the most conservative critics must respect the ingenuity and craftsmanship behind these builds.
The main hall likely held more appeal for the purists. Historic endurance icons like the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR or the Porsche 962 were positioned alongside road-going legends such as the Lamborghini Diablo GT and Bugatti EB110, as well as modern hypercar royalty like the Bugatti Bolide and Porsche 918 Spyder. JDM fans were also well catered for. No fewer than three Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R Group A racers shared a room with a heavily modified Mazda RX-7 and a tastefully customized Toyota Cresta. The curation was remarkably inclusive, effortlessly bridging the gap between various subcultures within the community.
The sound of Germany’s racing heritage
The weekend offered far more than a mere static exhibition. While the tire smoke of the Polish drifting sessions was absent, a dedicated zone in the main hall allowed BMW and Mercedes-Benz to fire up several treasures from their archives. When the mechanics from the Stuttgart museum ignited the 1991 Sauber-Mercedes C11, the V8’s roar reverberated through the massive factory building, giving the audience goosebumps. One particular moment highlighted the collaborative atmosphere: when a 1930s Silver Arrow struggled to start, the experts from BMW Classic stepped in, revving the unique BMW X5 Le Mans – the one-off V12-powered racing version of the soccer mom shuttle, which was piloted around the Nürburgring's Nordschleife by Hans-Joachim Stuck in June 2001.
The significant investment from two of the world’s leading manufacturers underscores the credibility and growth potential they recognize in this new format. Mercedes occupied an entire wing, showcasing endurance legends like the CLK GTR alongside rare 90s prototypes such as the C292 and the C 112 concept. The latter, a gullwing-doored supercar originally unveiled at the 1991 IAA, never reached production but looked fantastic under the changing ambient lights. Combined with electronic DJ sets, the atmosphere felt more like a futuristic nightclub than a conventional car show.
40 years of the most iconic M car
The BMW Classic Pavilion focused on the 40th anniversary of the M3. The Bavarians brought several one-offs of their mid-sized performance icon, including the original E46 M3 Touring prototype and the quirky E92 M3 Pick-up. HWA pushed the techno-aesthetic even further with their “143 BPM” booth – a darkened chamber featuring their 190 Evo restomod bathed in red light, while a heavy techno soundtrack vibrated through the visitors' bodies. It was a stylish nod to the clubbing culture prevalent when the original 190 E was still sold new.
Rennmeister made motorsport technology accessible
Rennmeister, Jägermeister’s racing heritage project and a long-time partner of the show, didn't just pour drinks at saturday's "Night Experience", but also presented a Group 5 BMW E21, a Porsche 962 with the 1000 hp flat-six exposed, an Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti DTM-engine and Niki Lauda’s original helmet among other artifacts from their decades-spanning motorsport era. The exhibition was co-curated by CD Works, Classic Driver's in-house creative agency.
This iconic orange livery was also featured in a striking art installation, a joint project between Ultrace, Nightride, Rennmeister, and French creative Julien Boudet, known under the moniker “Bleu Mode”. Their E30 M3 DTM, perched on four motorcycles instead of wheels, may have been polarizing, but it perfectly captured the experimental spirit of the weekend. It drew nearly as much attention as the most prominent guest, Sung Kang. Known as Han from the “Fast & Furious” films, he won over the crowd with his remarkably down-to-earth attitude.
Poland’s contribution to the future of Europes car scene
Some big names from the automotive world, extending far beyond the tuning niche and the German scene, gathered in Düsseldorf and left visibly impressed by the level of detail and originality of the show. Digital Concept artist Khyzyl Saleem aka "The Kyza" proudly posed next to the HWA Evo, which design is based on sketches by him, while the renowned automotive photographer Larry Chen raved about the quality of the event on his Instagram channel for days. With its uncompromising, techno-inspired aesthetic and a world-class selection of vehicles, this international expansion has set a new benchmark for the European scene.
Photos: Błażej Żuławski
