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Exhibition area with dozens of customised cars at Ultrace.
4 min reading time

The BMW M3 is celebrating its 40th anniversary at the Ultrace Festival.

40 YEARS BMW M3 x ULTRACE.

Held annually in Poland, Ultrace is the ultimate festival for the custom car scene in Europe. With over 50,000 visitors, it is the dream destination for many petrolheads looking to showcase their customised vehicles to a large audience. In 2026, it will also take place in Germany for the first time – and BMW M will be there to mark an anniversary: 40 YEARS BMW M3.

23 April 2026

Ultrace

brings together car enthusiasts from all over the world, showcasing spectacular custom builds alongside classic cars in immaculate condition, and offers a varied supporting programme featuring numerous highlights, from spectacular drifting action to the after-show party ‘Night Experience’. The festival is now taking place in Germany for the first time. This makes Ultrace 2026 the perfect stage for a special anniversary celebration: 40 YEARS BMW M3.

40 YEARS BMW M3.

Artwork showing all six BMW M3 generations: E30, E36, E46, E92, F80 und G80.
Artwork showing all six BMW M3 generations: E30, E36, E46, E92, F80 und G80.

6 GENERATIONS, 16 M3 EXPHIBITS, 40 YEARS PUMA COLLECTION.

LOCATION: DÜSSELDORF.

LOCATION: DÜSSELDORF.

The Areal Böhler is a former industrial site on the outskirts of Düsseldorf and the venue for the German premiere of the Ultrace 2026. Spread across the entire site, all six generations of the BMW M3 are on display in pairs – one iconic road-legal version and one legendary racing version. In addition, M GmbH has taken exclusive use of the “Halle am Wasserturm”, an impressive venue with an industrial flair, where several special editions of the BMW M3 are also on display. Furthermore, the Contemporary Clubhouse invites the community to linger.

But that’s not all: a series of exciting premieres are taking place at Ultrace. Firstly, BMW Lifestyle is using the petrolhead festival as a stage to unveil the new “PUMA x BMW M3 40th anniversary collection”. Secondly, two Friends of the Brand complement each other perfectly for the occasion: BMW M collector Imran Arshad is bringing his modified BMW M2 GTS F87, which will be treated to a unique, hand-painted livery on site by automotive painter Rae Roberts. Last but not least, the Ultrace will feature the ultimate DJ stage made by BMW M: The Ultimate Sound Machine is a live stage based on the BMW XM Label, complete with a DJ set-up, moving stage lights, underbody lighting and a powerful sound system from dBTechnologies.

DJ MIÓD and DJ Greku will be performing in Düsseldorf. Together with The Ultimate Sound Machine, their sets will fuse high performance and high fidelity in an unparalleled way.

THE ULTIMATE SOUND MACHINE.

Der BMW XM Label as a rolling DJ stage.

BMW XM Label modified into The Ultimate Sound Machine.
Modified BMW M3 E30 at the 2025 Ultrace.
Modified BMW M3 E30 at the 2025 Ultrace.

ABOUT … ULTRACE.

ABOUT … ULTRACE.

What started over 15 years ago as a small-scale gathering for tuned cars in Wrocław, Poland, is now one of the most significant events in the custom car scene in Europe. International enthusiasts gather at Ultrace. Collectors exhibit automotive legends and vintage vehicles, whilst hobbyists – or rather, automotive artisans – showcase their self-modified versions of the most iconic vehicles. The selection is top-class; every year, around 1,000 vehicles take part, hand-picked from tens of thousands of entries worldwide.

This makes Ultrace a platform for the most extraordinary cars, for those who pour their energy and creativity into these cars, and for all the fans who support and drive forward this global automotive culture with their passion.

Modified BMW E92 M3 drifting at Ultrace.
Modified BMW E92 M3 drifting at Ultrace.

ABOUT … ULTRACE DRIFT SHOW.

ABOUT … ULTRACE DRIFT SHOW.

One of the undisputed highlights of Ultrace in Poland is the annual drift shows. Many drivers bring their home-built cars onto the track here, where passion and driving skill come together. At the drift show, top drivers and gifted self-taught enthusiasts share the tarmac in some of the most creative custom builts around. Every vehicle tells its own story.

2 BMW GTR, one road-legal, one a race car version.
2 BMW GTR, one road-legal, one a race car version.

40 YEARS BMW M3 x ULTRACE.

The ultimate anniversary at the ultimate fan event. 

BMW XM Label in der Ausführung als The Ultimate sound Machine.

* All images of Ultrace 2023, 2024, and 2025 courtesy © Jasper Schwering

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