Mattel, Inc., a global leader in toys and family entertainment and owner of one of the world's most iconic brand portfolios, has announced the winner of the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour EMEA 2025, representing the region's nine participating markets.
Launched in 2018, the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour originally celebrated the brand's 50th anniversary. Since then, it has grown from a US-based event series to the largest traveling car show in the world, inspiring millions of fans and attracting more than 25,000 vehicle entries to date.
It unites custom car builders, fans and families in a celebration of automotive design and creativity. Each year, one custom-built, real vehicle is selected to be included in the Garage of Legends™ as an official Hot-Wheels™ die-cast model. This year's tour included several live events across Europe, the Middle East and other regions worldwide - driven by Hot Wheels' ongoing mission to inspire the next generation of car enthusiasts.
After beating thousands of custom builds in the EMEA region, Paul Czarnecki from Poland took first place in the Hot Wheels Legends Tour EMEA 2025 with his extraordinary 1990 Fiat 126B. The unique, hand-built vehicle impressed the jury with its bold design, quality craftsmanship and authentic Hot Wheels character. As the newly crowned EMEA champion, Paul Czarnecki now competed against the winners from other regions in the Global Grand Final.
Although Poland has never hosted an official Group B rally event, Czarnecki's Fiat 126P was built to conquer the narrow, technically demanding stages of the Carpathian Mountains. With more than 2,500 hours of hands-on wrenching and another 800 hours spent 3D printing components, the car perfectly embodies the "garage spirit" that Hot Wheels judges look for in every entry. The heavily widened track, hinged front section and functional aerodynamic elements pay tribute to 1980s rally design while delivering real performance on both tarmac and gravel.
Despite its modest size, the Fiat has plenty of performance-oriented punch. Powered by a Fiat Uno 1.4 Turbo with 200 hp, combined with a Nissan 200SX GT28 turbocharger and a modified Fiat Punto GT gearbox, it delivers real rally performance. The vehicle features a custom coilover suspension, 18.5-inch (47 cm) wider body, contemporary three-piece HTN Motorsport wheels, Fiat Uno brakes, a forward opening hood for quick repairs and adjustments, and a full body kit.The car features a full roll cage, a combination of historic inspiration and modern manufacturing that brings this Polish rally vision to life.
During the virtual Global Grand Final on November 15, 2025, Paweł Czarnecki's FIAT 126B, whose journey began with victory at the Tour stop in Poland, was crowned Global Champion. The car will now be added to the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends™ and transformed by the Hot Wheels design team into a 1:64 die-cast collectible model that will be sold worldwide.
Nine Markets, Nine Legends - Hot Wheels Legends Tour EMEA
The Hot Wheels Legends Tour 2025 once again united thousands of car enthusiasts from across EMEA, celebrating builders whose passion and craftsmanship continue to redefine the boundaries of automotive design and imagination.
Over the past few months, each participating country has crowned a national winner of its own Legends Tour:
- UAE - Jaber Al Mohannadi, 2016 BMW i8
- France - Sйbastien Robillard, 2003 Honda S2000
- United Kingdom - Paul & Ethan Foster, 1982 BMW E21 3 Series
- Germany - Heiko Behrend, 2002 Honda Civic Type R
- Poland - Paul Czarnecki, 1990 Fiat 126B
- Iberia - Alberto Tena, 1992 Honda NSX
- Italy - Tony Lafata & Saverio Tanzi, Porsche 997
- Benelux - Franзois Boulengier, Giovanni Capizzi, Vadim Faucona & Tony Luciano, Plymouth Duster
- Turkey - Oğuzcan Pelit, 1990 Tofaş Şahin
Each of these individual creations reflects the unique car culture and design sensibilities of their respective regions, from precision-crafted European classics to bold, modern custom builds driven by local innovation.
"The Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour was a true celebration of creativity and passion," said Ted Wu, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Vehicles and Building Sets at Mattel. "This year's EMEA finalists showcased the incredible diversity of automotive craftsmanship across the region. Each creation tells a story of imagination and dedication that fits perfectly with the spirit of the Hot Wheels™ brand."
Global recognition
The EMEA winner will now compete on the global stage, in the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour Global Grand Finals, where it will compete against the champions of the Hot Wheels™ Legends U.S. Tour and the Hot Wheels™ Legends Latin America Tour. For the U.S., the 1990 Chevrolet S10 "Tina" will compete, and in Latin America, a custom Yellow Vocho pickup was chosen as the regional winner.
Further information on the Hot Wheels™ Legends Tour can be found on the product website.