The I.C.E. St. Moritz was a true celebration of elegance, art, and pure motoring passion. More than 20,000 people made their way across the frozen lake to witness an incredible showcase of iconic classic and sports cars. This exceptional collection of machines captured the imagination of car enthusiasts who came from every corner of the globe, proving just how international this event has become.
On Friday, February 21, an international panel of judges selected the winning cars across five different concours categories. These cars were recognized for their elegance, rarity, and unique history, which made each one a standout. The level of expertise required to judge these machines was apparent, and it’s clear these cars are the finest of the finest.
On Saturday, February 22, after an entire day of thrills with the concours cars performing free laps across the snow-covered lake, the event came to a close with the award ceremony. This wasn’t just any ceremony - it was a moment of true recognition. The Best in Show and Spirit of St. Moritz awards were presented by none other than Lord Norman Foster and Rolf Sachs. These two designed the trophies specifically for the event, making them not only a prize but also a work of art in themselves.
As if that wasn't enough, the public also had their say and picked their own Hero Below Zero, showing how much everyone loves being part of the action.
But let’s be honest: cars weren’t the only highlight of this event. Driving on ice was just one part of the show. The sky, the ice-skating rink, and the city center were all transformed into stages for extraordinary artistic performances, making St. Moritz a key part of the experience. The whole town seemed to pulse with the rhythm of The I.C.E. movement, blending art, culture, and the incredible hospitality St. Moritz is known for. It wasn’t just an event; it was an entire week of excitement.
So let’s take a deeper dive into the incredible cars that made their way to this year’s show. Of course, one of the biggest standouts was the Pagani collection. Seeing those cars glide across the ice was something straight out of a dream. The Huayra Epitome and the latest and greatest from Pagani, the Utopia Roadster, were the true stars of the show. And how cool was it to see Horacio Pagani himself behind the wheel of the Utopia Roadster? I think we can all agree, the photos of those cars on the ice tell the whole story.
Let’s start with the Huayra Epitome. This is a bespoke hypercar that takes Pagani’s engineering and craftsmanship to new heights. Unveiled in 2024, the Epitome comes with a 5.9-liter V12 twin-turbo engine, pushing out a powerful 864 hp and 1,100 Nm of torque. What really sets this car apart is the 7-speed manual transmission, which is a first for the Huayra series. This gives the car a more hands-on, engaging driving experience, something that purists will absolutely love. It’s the kind of car that makes you feel every shift.
The Huayra Epitome also features a Carbon-Titanium monocoque chassis, striking the perfect balance between lightness and strength. It’s built to be nimble, with a suspension system that minimizes roll, pitch, and dive, ensuring top-tier handling and stability. And for those who want a little more comfort at lower speeds, there’s an adjustable “super soft” mode that makes driving at slower speeds much more pleasant. The car’s six-way titanium exhaust system also comes with a “four-exhaust” button that boosts downforce and gives the car a sound unlike anything you’ve heard before.
This bespoke machine is equipped with exclusive forged aluminum wheels and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires, optimized for high-performance driving, especially on track days. Every detail of the Huayra Epitome was crafted through a 19-month collaboration with its owner Binezis, ensuring it reflects his personal vision while still maintaining the elegance and performance Pagani is known for. It’s the kind of car you dream about - a perfect combination of luxury, performance, and exclusivity.
During The I.C.E. event, Pagani also showcased one of their own historical icons, the Zonda C12-S. It’s rare to see an original Zonda these days since many have been modified into later versions, but this one was an exception. The original Zonda design has become a piece of automotive history, and it was a real treat to see this particular model in its original form.
And alongside the Zonda was Pagani’s latest and most track-focused creation, the Huayra R. Unlike the turbocharged Huayra models, the Huayra R returns to the naturally aspirated V12 engine - just like the Zonda R. Not only does this change its driving character, but it also gives it an incredible, spine-tingling sound that car enthusiasts can’t get enough of. This car is all about pure, unfiltered performance, and it definitely delivered.
Meanwhile, from Sweden, Koenigsegg also had a strong presence at the event, with five incredible models on display. The Agera RS prototype, the Gemera, and three different Koenigsegg Jeskos - Attack, Absolut, and Regera - were all present. The three KNC cars were equipped with bright red roof boxes, which made them even more of an eye-catching spectacle as they drove through the streets of St. Moritz.
But the coolness didn’t stop there. Another huge highlight was the Lamborghini Countach, which had the honor of serving as the Pace Car for the Monaco Grand Prix in 1982. This is a piece of motorsport history, and it was amazing to see it back in action. Alongside it were other stunning Lambos, including a first-gen Murciélago with its top down (even in the cold weather), a Miura SV finished in a gorgeous red with gold wheels and accents, and the Huracán LP610-4 Sterrato, which is basically the ultimate winter daily driver.
And then there was Ferrari. The sheer number of Ferraris at this event was overwhelming. Some of the highlights included the F50, SF90 XX Stradale, two 275 GTB/4s, the 196 S, 500 TR, 250 LM, and the 12Cilindri. And to top it off, Ferrari brought out Michael Schumacher’s iconic Ferrari F2003-GA Formula 1 car, which was a sight to behold.
Speaking of Schumacher’s F2003-GA, this car made headlines when it sold for a record-breaking price of 14.8 million euros at auction back in 2022. It’s one of the most legendary F1 cars ever, and its sale shows just how much people value motorsport history.
In the Icons on Wheels category, the Ferrari 275 GTB/4 took the top prize. This stunning 1966 model featured a 3,286 cc Colombo V-12 and was the first Ferrari to come with a four-cam road engine. Chassis number 09021 was the first production model, and it went on to be a standout in Ferrari’s lineup. Recently, it was also restored by Kessel Classic, maintaining its status as a masterpiece of Ferrari engineering.
The Ferrari 500 TRC, another standout, is the last of the four-cylinder Ferrari race cars. Built to meet the FIA’s 1957 regulations, it came with a 1,985 cc engine and the timeless design of Pininfarina. This car had great success in racing, including multiple appearances at the Targa Florio and a victory at the Monte Pellegrino Hillclimb. It’s a true collector’s gem.
Besides the Prancing Horses on the ice, there were plenty of cool ones out and about, like this Verde Pino Ferrari 296 GTB with a classy Cuoio interior - what a killer combo! For me, a Cuoio interior is the ultimate choice for a Ferrari. It’s currently up for sale at Niki Hasler for 412,000 CHF. And speaking of stunners, there was also a yellow Ferrari 512 BB, a true classic powered by a 4.9L flat-12 making 360 hp. It was Ferrari’s first mid-engine V12 road car and wasn’t officially sold in the U.S., though many were imported. The 'BB' originally stood for 'Brigitte Bardot,' not Berlinetta Boxer. With only 2,323 units built, it’s a rare gem - especially in yellow!
Maserati also joined the fun, bringing out the GT2 Stradale - a race car for the road that takes their engineering to another level. It’s based on the hardcore GT2 race car but refined just enough to be street-legal. Under the hood sits the familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 Nettuno engine, cranking out over 621 hp. With a lightweight carbon fiber body, aggressive aero, and a proper race suspension, this thing is built to grip and go. The stripped-down, motorsport-inspired interior keeps things focused, but it’s still got just enough to make it usable off the track. A proper weapon for those who want race car thrills without needing a trailer.
Abarth was also in the spotlight with two absolute legends: the 2000 Sport Spider from 1968 and the wild-looking Abarth 1000 Record Pininfarina. Both of these machines are prime examples of Abarth’s obsession with speed, style, and punching way above their weight in the world of motorsport.
The Abarth 2000 Sport Spider was a proper track weapon - a featherweight race car built to take on endurance events and hill climbs. Packing a high-revving 2.0-liter four-cylinder pushing around 250 hp, this thing was all about power-to-weight. With its sleek, low-slung body and razor-sharp handling, it could keep up with much bigger, more powerful cars, proving once again that Abarth knew how to make a giant killer.
Then there’s the Abarth 1000 Record Pininfarina, and this one’s a whole different kind of crazy. Designed by Pininfarina, it looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie - low, slippery, and built purely for speed. Underneath that futuristic shell sat a tiny 1.0-liter four-cylinder, but thanks to its ultra-aerodynamic design, it smashed multiple speed records at Monza in 1960. It was Abarth doing what they did best - pushing the limits and proving that small engines could do big things.
Two completely different approaches, but both cars are pure Abarth: bold, fast, and built to break the rules.
Aston Martin also turned heads with cars like the DB4 GT Zagato and the DB3S. The 1955 DB3S, in particular, is one of the rarest and most desirable cars from the golden age of motorsport. Only 20 were made, and this particular one (chassis number 115) has a rich history of racing in the U.S. and a full restoration that makes it a true treasure.
Porsche, RUF, and Marc Philipp Gemballa also had a strong presence at the event. RUF’s Rodeo, inspired by their Pikes Peak racing history, brought the spirit of adventure and engineering precision to the table. Gemballa’s Marsien, powered by RUF engines, was a stunning off-road machine that blended luxury with rugged performance. And Porsche’s 908-03, a lightweight endurance racer, was the winner in the Racing Legends category, dominating the Targa Florio and Nürburgring with its V8 engine and advanced aerodynamics.
Another Porsche highlight came through a collaboration with artist Daniel Arsham, who created a special collection inspired by Porsche’s iconic safari builds. This added a touch of art to the automotive world, showing how versatile and timeless Porsche’s designs are.
With all these incredible cars, performances, and artistic collaborations, The I.C.E. St. Moritz was a dream come true for car lovers. It was a celebration of everything that makes cars special - performance, luxury, history, and the thrill of driving.
Photos by Rina K. Photography
